Abstract: A computer-implemented process and apparatus are used for efficient conversion of color video signals. The most significant bits (MSBs) of YUV data are masked off and converted into a single index that allows for the number of colors needed in a standard display format. The Y MSBs are scaled down by a fractional factor prior to the formation of the index so as to save computer memory space that would otherwise be wasted. In a preferred embodiment, relatively low-noise and temporally-changing dithering is applied to the values of full-sampled YUV data prior to color conversion.