Abstract: A system for scrambling a video signal that includes a vertical blanking interval of equalizing pulses spaced at half line intervals followed by serrations which are, in turn, followed by equalizing pulses spaced at half-line intervals and thereafter by horizontal pulses spaced from each other at intervals of two half-lines each. The scrambling includes (a) providing an unsuppressed interval in each field which extends through the first horizontal sync pulse preceded by a two half-line space and (b) suppressing horizontal sync pulses occurring after the first horizontal sync pulse preceded by a two half-line space.