Abstract: An apparatus for reading picture data stored on a record carrier for first and second pictures, and providing an output video signal which changes smoothly from the first to the second picture. The apparatus has a single picture memory having storage locations for values representing individual pixels, and a converter for converting signal values fetched from the memory into a video signal. Data for a new picture are read into the memory without such adaptation as filtering or correcting color resolution. During intervals when the memory is not otherwise being accessed, newly recorded data are adapted and the adapted data are then stored. Priority are given to fetching data for the video generator, and loading data read from the record carrier.