A new vector encoder-decoder (VED) design that is jointly adaptive to source statistics and optimised for noisy channels is proposed. The vector encoder consists of a source-adaptive vector quantiser (AVQ) and a structured index assignment with embedded redundancy (IAER) scheme to provide error-protection capability for noisy channels. The AVQ and IAER processes are combined together resulting in a very effective source-adaptive and channel-optimised VED design. The joint algorithm is designed and evaluated for the non-stationary Wiener process, modelling the source, and for two noisy channels, the binary symmetric channel and the more practical wireless flat-fading Rayleigh channel. It is shown that the proposed technique gives substantial...