An image processing apparatus for converting image data between a raster
format and a block format including an image data processor for providing
the image data including a luminance component and at least one
chrominance component in the raster format, at least two FIFO memories
for storing corresponding image data components, a multiplexer for
multiplexing the image data components from the at least two FIFO
memories, a line buffer memory for storing outputs of the multiplexer
linearly, and an image compressor for receiving the image data components
in block format in sequence from the unified line buffer memory and
compressing the received image data components. The image processing
apparatus may also include an address generator for generating a common
read/write address for the line buffer memory.