Sigh... not sure why I'm replying with researched responses...
Neither am I, even more so considering your research has obviously been inadequate!
I have the most high end consumer graphics card currently available.
I don't, I have a relatively cheap laptop with a cheap OEM graphics card, which operates at a refresh rate of 72Hz. My TV has a refresh rate of 100Hz. In my studio I have a commercial video card which can be referenced to any of the main black-burst or tri-sync rates but I've no idea what it's refresh rate is. Again, you are confusing refresh rates with frame rates and timing reference signals.
If I were to use 1080, I then have the options of 60(default), 59, and 50.
So not just 60Hz then!
... in my head I did the math wrong and thought I'd lose 1 frame, when in fact I'd just pull-down to match the 60Hz.
There is no "pull-down" with NTSC footage. "Pull-down" is a term specific to the telecine procedure and even then, NTSC colour is not pulled-down "to match" 60Hz, it's referenced to 59.94Hz!
However, I'll note that the United States among other NTSC countries, no longer use NTSC and have switched to ATSC which supports all the currently used frame rates.
Which is irrelevant as the ATSC standards effectively incorporate the older NTSC colour standard.
Yes, 23.976 is a preferred frame rate, but I'd assume like any filmmaker you don't say that in everyday speech.
Then you'd assume incorrectly, unless you're talking strictly about inexperienced amateur filmmakers! You can call 23.976 anything you want but sooner or later, calling it 24 when it's actually 23.976 is going to cause you problems!
You're talking about television broadcast... which is not the topic of indies...
You're joking right? Far more indie content is broadcast on TV than is ever distributed theatrically and that which is distributed theatrically is commonly also then broadcast on TV and/or distributed as video.
Also, the video signal speed is no longer an issue as ATSC can broadcast at actual 24 ....
The ATSC do not broadcast anything, they are a standards committee not a broadcaster! Which of the ATSC supported rates an actual broadcasters implements is up to the individual broadcaster, none of whom to my knowledge broadcast at 24fps. Stating video speed is no longer an issue is incorrect.
Theatrical films can also be 30fps, 60fps, 59.97, etc... But traditionally they have been 24.
Theatrical films cannot be at 59.97fps (or 59.94). If we're talking "traditionally" then theatrical films were once about 18fps. We're not talking "traditionally" though, we're talking about today.
... but I am confused why you're bringing so much about NTSC (out-dated) into a conversation about internet deliver?
If you're confused about why NTSC is relevant, maybe it wasn't such a good idea for YOU to bring it into the conversation in the first place?! Even more so considering the OP is not based in an NTSC region.
I don't think I'm mixed up on much (Except for calling it drop frame haha)...
Being "mixed up" is extremely common, especially with a subject which under the hood is far more complex than it superficially appears. We all start off being "mixed up" about video ref signals, frame rates, fields, refresh rates and time code but sooner or later, if we wish to become competent, we have to educate ourselves in order to avoid rookie foul ups. That you are "mixed up" but believe that you are not, will most likely result in you not educating yourself until it's too late, until you actually make one of those rookie foul ups and have to deal with the consequences.
G
