Improving compressed image appearance using stochastic resonance and energy replacement

A method for improving the image quality of a compressed image is provided. The improvement relates to the addition of certain error components resulting a less "clean" image, also referred to as the "film look". The system and method perform a subband transforms on one or more images, wherein the image is split into one or more high frequency or low and DC frequency components. Responsive to a component containing DC frequencies, the data in that component is linearized. The linearized data in that component is then dequantified. Preferably, linearizing the data includes adding a function that has a probability and magnitude distribution similar to quantification error of the data. Furthermore, linearizing the data may include using a function that is exactly reproducible and generates random values that closely model the quantification error distribution.