Abstract: A decoding system (10) receives a composite digital NTSC D2 input signal or a composite analog NTSC RS-170A input signal. The decoding system (10) decodes and sample rate converts to a component digital D1 output and a component analog RGB or Y(R-Y) (B-Y) output. A control panel (20) is connected to the decoding system (10) to provide digital control of the important decoding parameters to provide decoding flexibility. The composite video signal is supplied directly to an adaptive combiner (44), through a line comb filter (48) to the adaptive combiner (44), and through a frame comb filter (52) to the adaptive combiner (44). The composite video signal is also supplied to a frame transition or motion detector (58) and to a line transition or motion detector (60). If no frame transition or motion is detected, the adaptive combiner (44) utilizes frame based three dimensional decoding.