1. A method for encoding a video frame having a plurality of pixels, the method comprising: identifying a plurality of sets of adjacent pixels within the frame, wherein each set includes substantially identical pixels identified by combining color values of adjacent pixels arithmetically and applying a color value threshold to a result of the combining; determining a number of pixels in each set using a processor; assigning the pixels in each set to one of an enhancement layer or base layer based at least in part on the number of pixels in that set, including: assigning each pixel in a set of adjacent pixels to the base layer if the number of pixels in the set exceeds a pixel count threshold or any pixel in the set of adjacent pixels was previously assigned to the base layer regardless of the pixel count; and assigning each pixel in the set of adjacent pixels to the enhancement layer if the number of pixels in the set does not exceed the pixel count threshold and no pixel in the set of adjacent pixels was previously assigned to the base layer; encoding the pixels assigned to the base layer using a first encoding technique; and encoding the pixels assigned to the enhancement layer using a second encoding technique; wherein substantially identical pixels have a same color value or a similar color value.