This paper deals with the problem of efficient transmission of video signals over generalized fading channels in direct sequence-spread spectrum (DS-SS) code division multiple access (CDMA) systems. We first propose a modified version of the H.263 video codec incorporating a selective forward error correction (FEC) coding scheme combined with a forced intra-frame update mechanism. The modified codec results in the improvement of the average video and frame-to-frame performance. We further consider a coherent DS-CDMA system for the forward link (base-to-mobile) in both single-cell and multiple-cell environment. We provide performance evaluation results by both analysis, employing the Gaussian approximation, and computer simulations, using Monte Carlo error counting techniques. By integrating the proposed video codec with a coherent DS-CDMA system based upon the IS-95 standard, we investigate the performance of the video transmission over frequency-selective, correlated Nakagami fading forward-link channels employing a RAKE receiver. To simulate the fading channel, we have implemented in software a correlated Nakagami fading simulator based upon the principle of superposition of complex partial waves, an approach which replicates the wave propagation process in actual physical situations. A variety of performance evaluation results, both in single-cell and multiple-cell environment, are presented for a different number of resolving paths, cell user capacity, signal propagation characteristics, as well as for the presence of channel estimation errors. Heuristic explanations and interpretations of the trend of the obtained results are also given.