Method of and system for transmitting and receiving digitally encoded video images

Video images are encoded by transform coding, resulting in data blocks each including a DC-coefficient and a plurality of AC-coefficients. The coefficients of a number of said transform blocks are variable-length encoded and transmitted. In order to avoid a complete loss of datablocks in case of a transmission error, the most significant codewords of a group of blocks are transmitted first so as to achieve that at least the DC-level of the blocks is likely to be retained. The coefficients may also be recorded on a videorecorder. Fast playback of recorded images so encoded, leads to very poor quality because some data blocks are not being read in the search mode. To improve this quality the DC-coefficients and if desired predetermined AC-coefficients of selected ones of the transform blocks to be recorded on one track are packed together to form a DC-packet and such packet is recorded on a selected part of the track. The DC-packet is chosen such that it can be read out as a unit at various search speeds, and can be read partially at higher search speeds.