In digital video image encoding and decoding, a filter type is selected based on symmetrical properties of the images and coefficient values of an interpolation filter are calculated based on the selected filter type. Coefficient values, filter tap-length and selected filter-type are provided in the encoded video data. Coefficient values are also calculated based on a prediction signal representative of the difference between a video frame and a reference image. The prediction signal is calculated from the reference image based on a predefined base filter and motion estimation performed on the video frame. The predefined base filter has fixed coefficient values. Coefficient values are selected from interpolation of pixel values in a selected image segment in the video frame. Symmetry properties of images can be a vertical symmetry, a horizontal symmetry and a combination thereof, so that only a portion of the filter coefficients are coded.