1. A method for padding a digital video image which includes a field coded video object plane (VOP) comprising top and bottom field pixel lines carried in an interleaved order to provide a reference padded VOP, said VOP being carried, at least in part, in a region which includes pixels which are exterior to boundary pixels of said VOP, said method comprising the steps of: reordering said top and bottom field pixel lines from said interleaved order to provide a top field block comprising said top field pixel lines, and a bottom field block comprising said bottom field pixel lines; and padding said exterior pixels separately within said respective top and bottom field blocks.