Methods, medium, and machines associated with image processing performance are disclosed. Image data may be copied from input memory to main memory before performing CPU intensive operations, and efficiently copied from memory thereafter. CPU intensive operations may include decryption, decompression, image enhancement, or reformatting. Real time compression may be achieved by sub-sampling each frame. A separate plane compression aspect may provide for distinguishing between regions of an image, separating and/or masking the original image into multiple image planes, and compressing each separated image plane with a compression method that is optimal for its characteristics.