1. A method of generating a compressed video data signal using at least one graphics processor module, comprising the steps of: a) intercepting graphics instructions outputted by graphics generating software; b) analyzing the graphics instructions to determine which of the graphics instructions are useful for generation of compression assistance data; c) generating a second set of instructions responsive to the results of the analysis; d) processing the graphic instructions or at least a portion of the second set of instructions or a combination thereof, in the graphics processor module to generate graphics data comprising one or more image elements; e) processing at least a portion of the second set of instructions to generate compression assistance data; and, f) processing at least a portion of the graphics data using at least a portion of the compression assistance data to generate the compressed video data signal.