To simulate film grain in a compressed video signal, a decoder (15, 28) receives a message containing information that contains a set of one or more parameters, each specifying certain attribute associated with the film grain. For example, one of the parameters will specify the model used to simulate the film grain, whereas other parameters each specify a particular factor associated with that model. Upon receipt of the message, the decoder selects the model, and simulates the film grain for addition to the video signal following decompression.