A method for updating a run length encoded (RLE) stream includes: receiving an element having an insertion value to be inserted into the RLE stream at an insertion position, the insertion value having one of a plurality of values, the RLE stream having elements arranged in runs, and each of the elements having one of the values; identifying a run containing the insertion position; determining whether the insertion value is the same as the value of the element at the insertion position; when the insertion value is different from the value of the element at the insertion position: determining whether the insertion position is adjacent to one or more matching runs of the runs, each element of the matching runs having a same value as the insertion value; and extending one of the matching runs when the insertion position is adjacent to only one of the matching runs.