1. A video image system using quantization parameters of a color video image, the system including: a data storage system; a decoder configured to interact with the data storage system to execute instructions to: receive a bias value at a decoder as part of a compressed bit stream; utilize a variable quantization step size and a quantization parameter (QP) to represent a size of a step where an increase in the QP corresponds to a larger quantization step size; utilize a first QP value for a Y luminance channel of the color video image for decoding a first macroblock; utilize a second QP value for at least one of U and V color channels of the color video image for decoding said first macroblock, wherein said second QP value is determined by at least applying the bias value to the first QP value to provide a first intermediate result.