Abstract: A unified system and method for encoding an array of data. If the data array is comprised of DCT data, then coefficients from corresponding positions in the data array are mapped into a common blocks in a second data array so as to group similarly valued coefficients. If the data array is comprised of wavelet data and the wavelet tile is greater than a predetermined size, then the wavelet tile coefficients are mapped into a second array so as to combine coefficients from the same wavelet family. After the DCT or wavelet coefficients have been mapped, the DC coefficients are encoded using a differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) process. The maximum number of bits required to represent any coefficient in each block family in the data array is determined. The difference between the maximum number of bits required to represent any coefficient in the entire data array and each of the block family maximums is determined and encoded.