Method and system for context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding

A method of image coding wherein an image is divided into blocks having a plurality of pixels. A transform coding operation is performed on a block of pixels to produce a corresponding block of transform coefficient values, which is scanned to produce a scanned array of coefficient values represented by a plurality of number pairs having a first and a second number. The first and second numbers are assigned to one of a plurality of contexts representative of the number pairs. The first number of a number pair is assigned to a context based on a first number of another number pair. Alternatively, the second number of a number pair is assigned to a context based on the first number of the number pair. Furthermore, a number indicative of the number of non-zero coefficient values in the block of transform coefficient values is determined and assigned to a context.