A size of a transform block is identified. A transform type for the transform block is identified. The transform type includes a horizontal transform type and a vertical transform type. Identifying the transform type includes determining whether the size of the transform block is below a predefined block size; and, in response to determining that the size is below the predefined block size, selecting a default transform type for each of the horizontal transform type and the vertical transform type. The transform type is then applied to the transform block. The default transform type can be the discrete cosine transform (DCT).