In general, techniques are described for implementing an 8-point discrete cosine transform (DCT). An apparatus comprising an 8-point discrete cosine transform (DCT) hardware unit may implement these techniques to transform media data from a spatial domain to a frequency domain. The 8-point DCT hardware unit includes an even portion comprising factors A, B that are related to a first scaled factor (μ) in accordance with a first relationship. The 8-point DCT hardware unit also includes an odd portion comprising third, fourth, fifth and sixth internal factors (G, D, E, Z) that are related to a second scaled factor (η) in accordance with a second relationship. The first relationship relates the first scaled factor to the first and second internal factors. The second relationship relates the second scaled factor to the third internal factor and a fourth internal factor, as well as, the fifth internal factor and a sixth internal factor.