Abstract: A color synchronizer and windowing system for use in a video or video/graphics system which uses digital television technology integrated circuits to digitize the video information. The digitized video information is stored in a frame buffer as luminance and chrominance data samples. The frame buffer also stores a chrominance reference synchronization signal which is synchronized to the digitized chrominance data samples so as to properly identify the boundary for each chrominance data sample; wherein each such chrominance data sample is associated with a plurality of luminance data samples. This encoded data insures that the luminance and chrominance data samples are properly decoded on chrominance data sample boundaries even though the synchronization signal normally associated with the digital television technology integrated circuits is not available due to the storage of the luminance and chrominance data samples within the frame buffer.