1. A method for directional prediction of a picture block (C′) composed of pixels (a, b,..., p), in particular for the intra prediction of picture blocks greater than 4×4 pixels in size, whereby pixels on the edge (A, B, C, D; E, F, G, H) of at least one previously predicted neighboring picture block (A′, B′) are used for prediction of an actual picture block (C′), and whereby those pixels that are used for prediction depending on the prediction direction are prefiltered along an edge of the current picture block (C′) to be predicted.