An apparatus and method of detecting scene changes within a video frame sequence. A video data frame pixel array is partitioned into pixel groups within a frame difference engine. Video data matching of each pixel group is compared between a preceding and following video frame. By way of example pixel group matching can be determined in response to comparing the sums of absolute pixel luminance and/or chrominance differences between corresponding pixels in corresponding pixel groups within the sequential frames against a threshold value. If an insufficient number of pixel groups match, then a scene change signal is output, such as to the encoder which decides whether to encode the entire frame or changes from prior frames. A media communication system is also described, preferably implemented within an SoC, which wirelessly communicates encoded video data for substantially simultaneous viewing by a receiver.