In　this　paper,　an　improved　scheme　for　multiple　description　image　coding　with　quincunx　segmentation　is　proposed.　For　each　description,　this　scheme　processes　one　of　the　quincunx-subsampled　images　as　the　base　layer　information　and　the　prediction　error　for　the　other　quincunx-subsampled　image　as　the　enhancement　layer　information,　based　on　multiple　description　layered　coding.　In　addition,　an　improved　interpolation　scheme　for　quincunx-subsampled　images　is　employed　in　the　interpolation　prediction　of　coder　and　decoder　to　predict　the　other　quincunx-subsampled　image.　Experiments　show　that　preserving　the　central　rate-distortion　performance　basically;　this　improved　scheme　can　achieve　better　side　rate-distortion　performance　than　the　original　scheme,　especially　at　moderate　or　high　bit　rate.　©2008　The　Institution　of　Engineering　and　Technology.