A video processing system, comprising: a memory unit for storing a first non-zero data structure that comprises only non-zero first transform coefficient groups of a first layer macroblock; for storing the first non-zero data structure; and for storing second layer information that includes at least one encoded second-layer macroblock corresponding to the location of the first layer macroblock within an image; a decoder, connected to the memory unit, comprising: a second transform coefficient groups generator for processing the second layer information and the first non-zero data structure to provide second transform coefficient groups of a macroblock with a quality level higher than the first layer quality level; a second non-zero data structure generator for generating a second non-zero data structure that comprises the only non-zero second transform coefficient groups of said second transform coefficient groups; and a second non-zero indicators generator for generating second non-zero indicators that are indicative of non-zero transform coefficient groups, wherein each set bit of the non-zero indicators is indicative of a non-zero transform coefficient group; and a data transfer unit, connected to the memory unit and to the decoder, for transferring the first non-zero data structure and second layer information to the decoder only if the second non-zero data structure comprises at least one second non-zero transform coefficient group; and for transferring the second non-zero indicators to the memory unit. a memory unit for storing a first non-zero data structure that comprises only non-zero first transform coefficient groups of a first layer macroblock; for storing the first non-zero data structure; and for storing second layer information that includes at least one encoded second-layer macroblock corresponding to the location of the first layer macroblock within an image; a decoder, connected to the memory unit, comprising: a second transform coefficient groups generator for processing the second layer information and the first non-zero data structure to provide second transform coefficient groups of a macroblock with a quality level higher than the first layer quality level; a second non-zero data structure generator for generating a second non-zero data structure that comprises the only non-zero second transform coefficient groups of said second transform coefficient groups; and a second non-zero indicators generator for generating second non-zero indicators that are indicative of non-zero transform coefficient groups, wherein each set bit of the non-zero indicators is indicative of a non-zero transform coefficient group; and a second transform coefficient groups generator for processing the second layer information and the first non-zero data structure to provide second transform coefficient groups of a macroblock with a quality level higher than the first layer quality level; a second non-zero data structure generator for generating a second non-zero data structure that comprises the only non-zero second transform coefficient groups of said second transform coefficient groups; and a second non-zero indicators generator for generating second non-zero indicators that are indicative of non-zero transform coefficient groups, wherein each set bit of the non-zero indicators is indicative of a non-zero transform coefficient group; and a data transfer unit, connected to the memory unit and to the decoder, for transferring the first non-zero data structure and second layer information to the decoder only if the second non-zero data structure comprises at least one second non-zero transform coefficient group; and for transferring the second non-zero indicators to the memory unit.