An embedded codec (EBC) circuitry includes encoder circuitry to encode a plurality of sub-blocks of an image block by an entropy coding scheme to generate a plurality of encoded data blocks. Each encoded data block includes a first plurality of bit-planes and a second plurality of bit-planes. The first plurality of bit-planes include a plurality of entropy coded bits. The encoder circuitry determines a count of refinement bits of a plurality of refinement bits, for an encoded data block of the plurality of encoded data blocks, based on a quality measure of the plurality of encoded data blocks. The quality measure represents a count of the plurality of entropy coded bits in each encoded data block. The encoder circuitry allocates the count of refinement bits in the second plurality of bit-planes of the encoded data block.