A method for encoding first and second data words, which may represent differential data values (e.g., luminance and chrominance difference data values), onto an encoded data word includes: assigning a first code word to a first approximation value for a first data value, and assigning a second code word to second approximation value for a second data value; mapping the first and the second code words onto respective first and second data segments of the encoded data word; determining a first difference value between the first data value and the first approximation value and determining a second difference value between the second data value and the second approximation value; and at least partial mapping a first difference data word representing the first difference value and/or a second difference data word representing the second difference value onto at least one additional data segment of the encoded data word.