Video interlace system for multibeam raster output scanner

A raster output scanner data controller (300) reads pixels of an image from an image memory (306) and outputs serially pixel data streams to a raster output scanner (100). The data controller includes an image memory (306) storing a plurality of pixel data blocks in a scan line order, an image memory controller (302) coupled to the image memory, a plurality of first-in, first-out memories (308,310) coupled to the image memory controller (302) for storing pixel data blocks corresponding to a plurality of beams, and an image controller (304) coupled to the plurality of first-in, first-out memories (308,310). The pixel data blocks are transferred from the image memory (312) to the plurality of first-in, first-out memories (308,310). The image controller (304) reads the pixel data blocks from the plurality of first-in, first-out memories, converts the pixel data blocks read from the plurality of first-in, first-out memories into a plurality of pixel data streams (338,339,340,341) and outputs the plurality of pixel data streams to the raster output scanner (100).