Abstract: A video encoder (300) for compressing and encoding frames of an image sequence for transmission and a method of video encoding. The video encoder (300) has segmentation means (322) for recognising at least one object (450) in a frame (400) of an image sequence, and an encoder (304) for encoding blocks of the image sequence into a single bitstream for transmission, wherein blocks containing the at least one object being transmitted preferentially over other blocks. The segmentation means (322) may operate under user control (324). The video encoder (300) may be made compatible with the H.263 standard, whereby a standard H.263 receiver can then decompress and decode the transmitted image sequence. The invention may be incorporated into a mobile or a portable radio, or a mobile telephone.