<p>A line rotation encoder for use with cable or pay television systems includes a storage unit having a storage capacity large enough to store only a single digitized video horizontal line of information, an address counter coupled to the storage unit and split-address circuitry for setting the address counter to an initial value. A comparator unit coupled to the address counter provides an end of line signal. As each encoded video sample is read out from a storage location addressed by the address counter, a digitized sample for a subsequent horizontal video line overwrites the value previously read out. When the encoded line has been completely read out, the next line is already stored in the storage unit.</p>
