Abstract: A high resolution graphics system scans an 81/2.times.11 inch document at a resolution of approximately 200 lines per inch and transmits a run length codes 1700.times.2200 pixel array facsimile signal to a remote station for display or hard copy reproduction. Alternatively the present system can receive a compressed coded facsimile signal, decompress it and convert it to a video signal. The system is a modular design including the document scanning subsystem, a gray-to-facsimile converter, data compression and decompression circuits, as well as a high speed input/output communication system interface. The document scanning subsystem employs a fixed camera capable of scanning a document without any mechanical movement therebetween. The various modules are interconnected by means of a VME bus to a central processing unit which controls and monitors the system. A random access memory (RAM) is included for storing the compressed data either prior to transmission or subsequent to reception.