Metadata and methods for variable-frame rate (VFR) video playback are presented. Proposed metadata include syntax parameters related to the presentation time duration, picture source type (e.g., original, duplicate, or interpolated), picture position in a scene (e.g., first, last, or in the middle), and motion-related information with respect to a previous picture. A decoder may use these metadata to apply appropriate frame-rate conversion techniques to reduce artifacts during VFR playback.