In orthogonal transform coding of NTSC video signal, the data are processed in blocks. Processing a block of data that is maximally correlated leads to larger compression. This correspondence describes a new architecture for arranging the pixels in a block that yields higher correlation than the adjacent pixel blocks. The data are processed using adaptive, intrafield, discrete cosine transform, variable bit allocation coding. In subjective tests good quality pictures were obtained for an average of about 2 bits/pel for intrafield processing.