This thesis proposes a strategy for enhancing the efficiency of scalable H.264/AVC video transmission over multi-input multi-output (MIMO) and cooperative communication systems. For scalable video coding (SVC) transmission over MIMO wireless systems, a channel selection algorithm is used to enhance transmission rate. The proposed algorithm allows SVC layers to select channels individually in wireless MIMO systems based on channel state information for transmission rate enhancement. Here, this difficult problem is converted into a mathematical optimization problem to improve SVC performance during video transmission. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves a higher transmission rate over MIMO systems compared to the existing scheme. For SVC transmission over cooperative communication systems, the algorithm allows each SVC layer to choose an appropriate relay based on channel conditions and SVC layer priority. Thus, SVC data is protected effectively. Experimental results show that video quality obtained by the algorithm exceeds that of non-cooperative systems.