The invention relates to a method of converting a stream of databits of a binary information signal into a stream of databits of a constrained binary channel signal. This stream of databits of the binary information signal is divided into n-bit information words. These information words are converted into m1-bit channel words, in accordance with a channel code C1, or m2-bit channel words, in accordance with a channel code C2, where m1, m2 and n are integers for which it holds that m2>m1≧n. The m2-bit channel word is chosen from of at least two m2-bit channel words, at least two of which have opposite parities, the concatenated m1-bit channel words and the m2-bit channel words complying with a runlength constraint of the binary channel signal. The method comprises the repetitive and/or alternate steps of: selecting the m1-bit channel word from a set out of a plurality of sets of m1-bit channel words, each set comprising only m1-bit channel words having a beginning part out of a subset of beginning parts of the m1-bit channel words, each set being associated with a coding state of channel code C1, the coding state being established in dependence upon an end part of the preceding channel word, or: selecting the m2-bit channel word from a set out of a plurality of sets of m2-bit channel words, which selection depends on the end part of the preceding channel word, each set comprising only m2-bit channel words having a beginning part out of a subset of beginning parts of the m2-bit channel words belonging to said set, each set being associated with a coding state of channel code C2, the coding state being established in dependence upon an end part of the preceding channel word. The end parts of the m1-bit channel words in a coding state of channel code C1 and the beginning parts of the m2-bit channel words in a set of channel code C2 are arranged to comply with said runlength constraint. The invention further relates to a device for encoding, a signal comprising a stream of databits of a constrained binary channel signal, a record carrier and a device for decoding.