A method for transcoding a first codeword to a second codeword, wherein both comprise escape codes and escape levels is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a bitstream to determine the first codeword therefrom, determining whether the first codeword belongs to a long escape mode or a short escape mode, and truncating the escape level of the first codeword to generate the second codeword when the first codeword belongs to the long escape mode. An embodiment of the first codeword is a Sorenson H.263 codeword and the second codeword is an H.263 codeword.