Abstract: An apparatus (40) for determining motion between a first and second video image comprising means for receiving a first video image comprising a plurality of pixels, means for selecting a block of pixels within the first video image (48), means for receiving a second video image comprising a plurality of pixels, means for selecting at least part of the second video image to produce a search area (47), means for sampling the pixels of the search area in a predetermined pattern and means for comparing the selected block of pixels within the first video image with at least one block of the sampled pixels of the search area to determine the motion of the block of pixels between the images (44) wherein the pattern of sampled pixels varies throughout the search area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating motion and sequence of video images. A plurality of fields of a sequence of video images are stored then, for each of a plurality of blocks of pixels in each field a test is performed on a set of candidate motion vectors to determine which motion vector gives the best fit in determining the motion between adjacent fields for that block. The testing step includes determining the amount of motion blur present in the image and modifying the testing of candidate motion vectors in dependence on this motion blur.