The authors propose a new optimal subband bit allocation procedure whi
ch is well suited for low bit rate applications. Contrary to most bit
allocation algorithms, this method does not use approximate distortion
and rate models but finds the optimal solution among all possible com
binations of quantisers. Associated with a 'stack-run' codec, it is sh
own to improve on the performance obtained by the well-known EZW algor
ithm.