The Display in my Macbook is manufactured Samsung, a LTN170CT10-G01. The Datasheet is easy to find. According to the datasheet, the display is rated at 1920x1200@60hz. Macs do not display refresh rates in the system preferences/control panels at all, not very professional. But apps like SwitchresX do. With SwitchresX, I was able to change the frame rate to 72hz(for 24p) and 75hz(50P/Pal). Pans displayed in those frame are now smoother. I was also able to achieve 72hz@1920x1080 with my preview monitor, an NEC EA323WMI. But for displaying 75hz in the NEC, I had to lower the resolution to 1440x810. But SwitchResX has no turorial. You fiddle around with back porches, front porches and other values, without exactly knowing what you are doing. The PC-variant is Powerstrip, as far as I know. Are there any databases to look up desired and possible scan rates? As one example, in theory 1920x1080@75 refresh rate should be displayable with my NEC Monitor, but in real life, it is not.

In the video world when we say 24, 30, or 60 fps, we almost always really mean that frame rate times 1000/1001, i.e., 23.976, 29.970, or 59.940 fps (approximate). A difference of 1 in 1001 is practically unnoticeable if the difference is made up by repeating one frame in a thousand, which is how your computer will handle the frame rate difference during playback. So, yes, it's just as good. And you might have made things worse by rendering out at 30.000 instead of 29.970 (if your NLE had let you), because your NLE might decide to do a screwy frame rate conversion with blended frames.

But there's usually no reason to render 720p out as 1080p. You should be able to render out in 720-line 29.970 fps.

I saw somewhere how you can author a Blue Ray to 60fps if your clients wants. Many modern players will support 60 but it would be wise to author in a menu with both 60 and 30 (or 24 or whatever) options. Then grandma can view the wedding:).

@AKED

Very strange indeed. Perhaps your computer monitor really is running at 50Hz.

No, not really. When I play the 50p on the computer, it runs smooth. Strange, isn't it?

Yes, they do all SUPPORT all standard resolutions and framerates. But what ist the native refresh-rate of the display? And this is what it is about. Does a TV render motion unaltered? I.e. computer monitors: My NEC-Multisync EA232 supports frequencies of 50 hz. But native display works with 60 hz. Pans are inconsistient and juddery. feeding it with 50h, 75 hz does not change a bit. In good old days the heavy (but dark) computer CRTs displayed the refresh rate they got natively.

I made a qick shutter test with my plasma TV: Filming the display with 50hz shutter, there is almost no flicker. When I change the Mac to 60hz, the Plasma flickers as hell. So with this Plasma I can be sure it displays the frequency it gets. Unluckily, this test does not work with LCD Panels, or at least LED-based ones. Files are one second, zipped mp4 in sd resolution.

Because even though more people on the world watch PAL/SECAM television, 60hz is the dominant refresh rate (because of computer monitors) for mass production.

What is cheaper in mass production: Build one TV Panel and have one IC do the conversion to the panels native frequency (I assume 60hz), or built two, one designed for 50hz, one for 60hz. Layout of the boards sholuld not be much different, also parts should be 95% the same. But 5% make a difference in profit. Also two panels wtith different basic frequencies would have to deal with 23,976 Blu Ray playback or watch your favorite NTSC-DVD from Japan or watch 30hz web-content...? I´ll almost bet they have cut corners and the only real differece is the DVBT circuitry.

@Vitaliy It does tell A LOT: - The LG interpreted the Mac´s DVI connection as 60hz only. The Panasonic did interpret 50/60hz. - It should not count wether my notebook is modern or not. - DVI / HDMI is a standard. It should not count wether you connect Mac or PC.

Well, at least LG did sell one Flatscreen less - BTW I also remember, that picture enhancement like artificial sharpening could not be completely turned off. The Panasonic did not offer this "enhancements" at all another plus.

LG might produce different models for the US/European markets. But can you proof that the European models do run on 50hz natively without any interpolation to 60hz? BTW, while writing this, it just came into my mind that by using the shutters of our beloved cameras, this should be easily found out. Or are only changing pixels refreshed?

@Ralph_B 60hz The only computer monitor I know that truly displays 50hz without internal conversion to 60hz is the EIZO Foris FX2431 mentioned above.

@Vitaly Took my 2008 Macbook Pro to the local dealer around 2010, attached it to several LG´s they all displayed 60hz ONLY as secondary display. No way to change this in the Mac or TV preferences. I would have been forced to use "DisplayConfigX" or "SwitchResX" (same as "Powerstrip" for PC) to trick those TV´s. But as I said, the TH-42PZ70E offered 50/60hz choices, interlaced and progressive, in 1080, as defaults.

New question:

What is the scan rate of computer monitors in PAL countries, 50Hz or 60Hz?

With the GH2 I shoot at 50p, to avoid jerk problems. It looks good on PC and TV, had only one time problems with lights flicks. When I get the GH3 I will switch to 30p and 60p when I will slow down the footage.

@Ralph_B
I do not have After Effects. I use Edius. I do not know which way it converts. I can render an NTSC file from the PAL timeline, but I have been tole the best way would be, to
The way I have be to render highest quality HD, then ceate a NTSC project, import the HD fiile into the NTSC timeline and then export as NTSC file. But I will inquire. Thnaks fro the help. The PAL-NTSC DVD player question is clear?