Error Detection and Handling (EDH) is defined in SMPTE RP 165 as a method of determining when bit errors have occurred along the digital video path. According to RP 165, two error detection checkwords are used, one for active picture samples, and the other on a full field of samples. Three sets of flags are used to convey information regarding detected errors, to facilitate identification of faulty equipment or cabling. One set of flags is associated with each checkword, and the third is used to evaluate ancillary data integrity. The checkwords and flags are combined into a special error detection data packet that is included as ancillary data in the serial digital signal