A system for encoding a first signal into a plurality of grouped signals , wherein a grouped signal includes a video signal whose pictures or frames are organised into groups in which the information contained in each frame following the first frame can depend on the previous and/or next frame, said first signal comprising at least a video service, the system comprising: - a first encoding means provided in a production system configured to execute a first encoding of said first signal into a first encoded grouped signal and to associate encoding information with said first encoded signal, wherein the first encoded grouped signal occupies a smaller bandwidth than the first signal, wherein the first encoding includes a variable bit rate, VBR, encoding introducing a reduction in quality that is controlled to be within a given margin, and wherein the encoding information includes configuration parameters representing constraints for generating a second encoded signal having predetermined properties; - a second encoding means provided in a distribution system, said second encoding means being separate from said first encoding means, and configured to execute a plurality of second encodings so as to correspondingly obtain said plurality of grouped signals , each of said plurality of grouped signals characterised by a corresponding predetermined property, said second encodings performed on the basis of said first encoded signal using said encoding information; - a connection means configured to transmit said encoding information from said first encoding means to said second encoding means , wherein said encoding information comprises information on the first encoding. - a first encoding means provided in a production system configured to execute a first encoding of said first signal into a first encoded grouped signal and to associate encoding information with said first encoded signal, wherein the first encoded grouped signal occupies a smaller bandwidth than the first signal, wherein the first encoding includes a variable bit rate, VBR, encoding introducing a reduction in quality that is controlled to be within a given margin, and wherein the encoding information includes configuration parameters representing constraints for generating a second encoded signal having predetermined properties; wherein the first encoded grouped signal occupies a smaller bandwidth than the first signal, wherein the first encoding includes a variable bit rate, VBR, encoding introducing a reduction in quality that is controlled to be within a given margin, and wherein the encoding information includes configuration parameters representing constraints for generating a second encoded signal having predetermined properties; - a second encoding means provided in a distribution system, said second encoding means being separate from said first encoding means, and configured to execute a plurality of second encodings so as to correspondingly obtain said plurality of grouped signals , each of said plurality of grouped signals characterised by a corresponding predetermined property, said second encodings performed on the basis of said first encoded signal using said encoding information; - a connection means configured to transmit said encoding information from said first encoding means to said second encoding means , wherein said encoding information comprises information on the first encoding. <EOS>