Abstract: In a system for encoding a widescreen video signal containing left side, right side and center panel image components and luminance (Y) and chrominance (I,Q) information, first and second encoded signals containing side panel high frequency components ("highs") are generated simultaneously for each horizontal image line. Left and right chrominance side panel highs I.sub.L, I.sub.R and Q.sub.L, Q.sub.R remain in their respective horizontal spatial positions in the first and second signals. Left and right luminance side panel highs Y.sub.L, Y.sub.R are time expanded and spatially shifted to fill the gap between the chrominance highs in the first and second signals. Thus the first signal contains the side panel highs in the sequence I.sub.L,Y.sub.L,I.sub.R, and the second signal contains the side panel highs in the pattern Q.sub.L,Y.sub.R,Q.sub.R.