Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for prioritization of transform domain coefficient data representing sources such as, but not limited to, single images and images in motion, so as to produce a data rate not exceeding the capacity of the transmission channel used in transmitting the data to a receiver and to simultaneously minimize the perceived distortion when the image is reconstructed at the receiver. One disclosed aspect relates in particular to transmission of Pyramid Transform coefficients from a single image over a fixed data rate transmission channel. In effect a sequence of multiple image reconstructions is performed at the receiver during the time period required for the transmission of all of the coefficient data representing the image. The reconstructed image gradually increases in detail.