SYSTEM UND VERFAHREN ZUR CODIERUNG EINES ZEILENSPRUNGHALBBILDES

Multi-mode predictive interpolative systems and methods for interlaced video sequences use past even fields as well as current and past odd fields to code current even fields. Block matching units (40, 42, 44) find for each block of pixels of a current even field to be coded, the corresponding block which matches it most closely in the current odd field, the past odd field and a past even field and calculate appropriate motion vectors corresponding to the best matched blocks. Based on the best matched blocks, and averages thereof, the best mode generator (60) selects a best mode block which most closely matches the block to be coded and derives an error block representing the pixel by pixel differences between the block to be coded and the best mode block. Signals representing the error block, the mode chosen, and the motion vectors corresponding thereto are then sent for transmission for use by a decoder.