In at least one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for adaptive edge enhancement of a video signal includes a transient improvement module. The transient improvement module is configured to generate a first adjusted pixel value based on a window of pixel values for pixels surrounding a pixel-of-interest initially having an input pixel value. The apparatus includes an adaptive peaking module configured to generate a second adjusted pixel value based on the first adjusted pixel value and the input pixel value. In at least one embodiment of the apparatus, the adaptive peaking module comprises a high-pass filter configured to generate a pixel adjustment based on the first adjusted pixel value. In at least one embodiment of the apparatus, the adaptive peaking module further comprises a gain path configured to apply at least one adaptive gain value to the pixel adjustment to generate an adaptive adjustment value.