Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques for storing, in memory, at least one master forward transform matrix comprising signed constants having a defined number of precision bits and a sign bit and determining, by processing circuitry, which forward transform matrix to use to perform a transformation based on at least a transform unit size. Further, various techniques may include performing, by the processing circuitry, the transformation on residuals of pixel values of a frame using one of the at least one master forward transform matrix or a forward transform matrix derived from one of the master forward transform matrix at least partially based on the determination.