Gradient analysis may be utilized to determine frame and field repeat patterns in input video data. Those frame and field repeat patterns may then be analyzed to match them with characteristic patterns associated with telecine 3:2 and 2:2 pulldown video data, for example. In addition, a progressive detector may use combing analysis to determine whether or not a particular field is progressive or interlaced data. Then, this information, together with a field flag which indicates whether field or frame analysis is appropriate, may be utilized to distinguish telecine 2:2 or 3:2 pulldowns and interlaced and progressive data in some embodiments.