The GS1501 HDTV Serial Digital Formatter formats the HDTV Luma and Chroma data according to SMPTE 292M prior to serialization by the GS1522 HDTV Serializer. The GS1501 optionally inserts TRS and line number signals based on externally supplied H, V and F signals. The device also allows the insertion of CRCs based on TRS signals embedded in the input data streams, should the user choose not to supply external HVF signals.