1. A method for scaling transform coefficients in a multi-layer bitstream having a first layer and a second layer, said method comprising: (a) a processor determining a first-layer quantization parameter based on said multi-layer bitstream; (b) a processor determining a second-layer quantization parameter based on said multi-layer bitstream; (c) a processor scaling a first-layer transform coefficient based on said first-layer quantization parameter and said second-layer quantization parameter, and without reconstructing said first layer; (d) a processor modifying the scaled said first-layer transform coefficient using data from said second layer; and (e) a processor reconstructing said second layer, without reconstruction of said first layer; wherein said scaling is performed according to the following relationship: T SecondLayer = T FirstLayer Â· 2 Qp â¢ _ â¢ FirstLayer - Qp â¢ _ â¢ SecondLayer k wherein T SecondLayer and T firstLayer denote the transform coefficients at the second layer and first layer, respectively; k is an integer, and Qp FirstLayer and Qp SecondLayer are the quantization parameters for the first layer and second layer, respectively.