1. An automated method for encoding an image, said method comprising: (a) inputting image data into a processing device; (b) said processing device quantizing a discrete cosine transform of said image using a first set of quantization values; (c) said processing device quantizing said discrete cosine transform of said image using a second set of quantization values different from said first set of quantization values, and where neither said first set of quantization values nor said second set of quantization values are calculated using data from said image; (d) said processing device comparing said image to a spatial reconstructed image based upon said first set of quantization values using a visual difference model that simulates the perception of the human eye; (e) said processing device comparing said image to a spatial reconstructed image based upon said second set of quantization values using said visual difference model; (f) said processing device selecting one of said first set of quantization values and said second set of quantization values based upon respective said comparing; and (g) said processing device encoding said image, on a computer-readable medium, with the selected set of quantization values so as to be viewable on a display device.