Real-time video signal processing is achieved by a serial video processor (SVP) which inputs/outputs video signals serially and processes the data in parallel during each horizontal line period. This work describes the architecture of the SVP. An overview of the device, unique design techniques, and test methodology are given. Two SVPs applied to digital color TV image processing are discussed. Specifically, this is an Improved Definition TV application providing motion-adaptive digital Y/C separation, noise reduction, and progressive scanning. The addition of multiplexers in the appropriate data paths allows this same basic circuit to perform special features (still, strobe, zoom, picture-in-picture, multiscreen, etc.).<<ETX>>