An integrative encoding system for encoding and transmitting a plurality of video
signals having different resolutions that correspond to a plurality of display
units. The integrative encoding system has a compression processor, an editing
processor, and an integrated services digital broadcasting (ISDB) transmitter.
In a first embodiment, the compression processor performs adaptive dynamic range
coding (ADRC) to compress each of said plurality of video signals on a block basis
by reducing the dynamic range. In another embodiment, the compression processor
performs hierarchical encoding on the plurality of video signals by selectively
replacing pixels of a higher resolution level with pixels from a lower resolution
level calculated by combining pixels from said higher resolution level; thereby
encoding a hierarchy of resolution levels within the plurality of video signals
without increasing the amount of data. An adaptive decoding system receives and
decodes the transmitted plurality of video signals for display by the plurality
of display units.