The invention relates to video
transcoding between a first and second video standard, such as H.264 and MPEG-2. A video transcoder (201) comprises an interface (203) that receives a video
signal in accordance with a first
video encoding standard. The video
signal is decoded in a decoder (207). An extraction processor (209) extracts
motion estimation data from the first video
signal, preferably as part of the decoding process. A
motion estimation data processor (211) generates second
motion estimation data, compatible with a second
video encoding standard having a different set of motion
estimation options, from the first motion
estimation data. The second motion
estimation data is generated by projecting motion estimation block positions between reference pictures, aligning prediction blocks with a block position framework and adjusting the prediction block sizes. The second motion estimation data is fed to an
encoder (213) which encodes the decoded signal in accordance with the second
video encoding standard using the second motion estimation data.