Abstract: In an Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) system, an assistance signal is transmitted to enable a suitably equipped receiver to choose from a number of predetermined deinterlacing modes. The modes represent interpolation options for estimating lines missing in a current interlaced image field, thereby enhancing the vertical resolution of a display. For example, five options may be provided for as follows: (1) intra-frame linear interpolation, (2) use of information from a preceding frame, (3) use of information from a succeeding frame, (4) combining the results of (1) and (2), and (5) combining the results of (1) and (3). Preferably, interpolation options are derived on a block basis and transmitted with coded motion vectors which may be compressed to make maximum use of the available bandwidth. The assistance signal may be transmitted within the vertical and/or horizontal blanking intervals of an interlaced television broadcast.