diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 0d20b64..c9b568f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
 *.pyc
+*.swp
diff --git a/docs/source/how_do_i.rst b/docs/source/how_do_i.rst
index ef16563..ea48652 100644
--- a/docs/source/how_do_i.rst
+++ b/docs/source/how_do_i.rst
@@ -3,17 +3,24 @@ How do I...?
 ------------
 
 
-... read the lowest resolution thumbnail?
-=========================================
-Printing the Jp2k object should reveal the number of resolutions
-(look in the COD segment section of the codestream), but you can
-take a shortcut by supplying -1 as the
-resolution level. ::
+... read the lower resolution images?
+=====================================
+Jp2k implements slicing via the :py:meth:`__getitem__` method so
+any lower resolution images in a JPEG 2000 file can easily be
+accessed, for example here's how to retrieve the first sub-image ::
 
     >>> import glymur
     >>> jp2file = glymur.data.nemo()
     >>> jp2 = glymur.Jp2k(jp2file)
-    >>> thumbnail = jp2.read(rlevel=-1)
+    >>> fullres = jp2[:]
+    >>> print(fullres.shape)
+    (1456, 2592, 3)
+    >>> thumbnail = jp2[::2, ::2]
+    >>> print(thumbnail.shape)
+    (728, 1296, 3)
+
+The :py:meth:`read` method gives many more options for other JPEG 2000 features
+such as quality layers.
 
 ... display metadata?
 =====================
diff --git a/glymur/jp2k.py b/glymur/jp2k.py
index 4ebd678..870a6ec 100644
--- a/glymur/jp2k.py
+++ b/glymur/jp2k.py
@@ -759,6 +759,96 @@ class Jp2k(Jp2kBox):
 
         return boxes
 
+    def __getitem__(self, pargs):
+        """
+        Slicing protocol.
+        """
+        codestream = self.get_codestream(header_only=True)
+        if isinstance(pargs, int):
+            # Not a very good use of this protocol, but technically legal.
+            # This retrieves a single row.
+            row = pargs
+            area = (row, 0, row + 1, codestream.segment[1].xsiz)
+            return self.read(area=area).squeeze()
+
+        if isinstance(pargs, slice):
+            # Case of jp2[:], i.e. retrieve the entire image.
+            #
+            # Should have a slice object where start = stop = step = None
+            return self.read()
+
+        if isinstance(pargs, tuple) and all(isinstance(x, int) for x in pargs):
+            # Retrieve a single pixel.
+            # Something like jp2[r, c]
+            row = pargs[0]
+            col = pargs[1]
+            area = (row, col, row + 1, col + 1)
+            pixel = self.read(area=area).squeeze()
+            
+            if len(pargs) == 2:
+                return pixel
+            elif len(pargs) == 3:
+                return pixel[pargs[2]]
+
+        # Assuming pargs is a tuple of slices from now on.  
+        rows = pargs[0]
+        cols = pargs[1]
+        if len(pargs) == 2:
+            bands = slice(None, None, None)
+        else:
+            bands = pargs[2]
+
+        if rows.step is None:
+            rows_step = 1
+        else:
+            rows_step = rows.step
+
+        if cols.step is None:
+            cols_step = 1
+        else:
+            cols_step = cols.step
+
+        if rows_step != cols_step:
+            msg = "Row and column strides must be the same."
+            raise IndexError(msg)
+
+        # Ok, reduce layer step is the same in both xy directions, so just take
+        # one of them.
+        step = rows_step
+    
+        if np.log2(step) != np.floor(np.log2(step)):
+            msg = "Row and column strides must be powers of 2."
+            raise IndexError(msg)
+
+        if rows.start is None:
+            rows_start = 0
+        else:
+            rows_start = rows.start
+
+        if rows.stop is None:
+            rows_stop = codestream.segment[1].ysiz
+        else:
+            rows_stop = rows.stop
+        
+        if cols.start is None:
+            cols_start = 0
+        else:
+            cols_start = cols.start
+
+        if cols.stop is None:
+            cols_stop = codestream.segment[1].xsiz
+        else:
+            cols_stop = cols.stop
+        
+        area = (rows_start, cols_start, rows_stop, cols_stop)
+        data = self.read(area=area, rlevel=np.int(np.log2(step)))
+        if len(pargs) == 2:
+            return data
+
+        # Ok, 3 arguments in pargs.
+        return data[:, :, bands]
+
+
     def read(self, **kwargs):
         """Read a JPEG 2000 image.
 
@@ -833,7 +923,7 @@ class Jp2k(Jp2kBox):
             raise RuntimeError(msg)
 
     def _read_openjpeg(self, rlevel=0, ignore_pclr_cmap_cdef=False,
-                       verbose=False):
+                       verbose=False, area=None):
         """Read a JPEG 2000 image using libopenjpeg.
 
         Parameters
@@ -846,6 +936,9 @@ class Jp2k(Jp2kBox):
             color transformation.  Defaults to False.
         verbose : bool, optional
             Print informational messages produced by the OpenJPEG library.
+        area : tuple, optional
+            Specifies decoding image area,
+            (first_row, first_col, last_row, last_col)
 
         Returns
         -------
@@ -898,6 +991,18 @@ class Jp2k(Jp2kBox):
             # data 2D instead of 3D.
             data.shape = data.shape[0:2]
 
+        if area is not None:
+            x0, y0, x1, y1 = area
+            extent = 2 ** rlevel
+            if x1 - x0 < extent or y1 - y0 < extent:
+                msg = "Decoded area is too small."
+                raise IOError(msg)
+
+            area = [int(round(float(x)/extent + 2 ** -20)) for x in area]
+            rows = slice(area[0], area[2], None)
+            cols = slice(area[1], area[3], None)
+            data = data[rows, cols]
+
         return data
 
     def _read_openjp2(self, rlevel=0, layer=0, area=None, tile=None,
diff --git a/glymur/test/test_jp2k.py b/glymur/test/test_jp2k.py
index 63492a5..fb86b11 100644
--- a/glymur/test/test_jp2k.py
+++ b/glymur/test/test_jp2k.py
@@ -52,6 +52,307 @@ def load_tests(loader, tests, ignore):
     return tests
 
 
+class TestSliceProtocol(unittest.TestCase):
+    """
+    Test slice protocol, i.e. when using [ ] to read image data.
+    """
+    @classmethod
+    def setUpClass(self):
+
+        self.jp2 = Jp2k(glymur.data.nemo())
+        self.jp2_data = self.jp2.read()
+
+        self.j2k = Jp2k(glymur.data.goodstuff())
+        self.j2k_data = self.j2k.read()
+
+    def test_resolution_strides_cannot_differ(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(IndexError):
+            # Strides in x/y directions cannot differ.
+            self.j2k[::2, ::3]
+
+    def test_resolution_strides_cannot_differ(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(IndexError):
+            # Strides in x/y directions cannot differ.
+            self.j2k[::2, ::3]
+
+    def test_resolution_strides_must_be_powers_of_two(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(IndexError):
+            self.j2k[::3, ::3]
+
+    def test_integer_index_in_3d(self):
+
+        for j in [0, 1, 2]:
+            band = self.j2k[:, :, j]
+            np.testing.assert_array_equal(self.j2k_data[:, :, j], band)
+
+    def test_slice_in_third_dimension(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[:,:,1:3]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[:,:,1:3]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_reduce_resolution_and_slice_in_third_dimension(self):
+        d = self.j2k[::2, ::2, 1:3]
+        all = self.j2k.read(rlevel=1)
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(all[:,:,1:3], d)
+
+    def test_retrieve_single_row(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[0]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[0]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_retrieve_single_pixel(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[0,0]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[0, 0]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_retrieve_single_component(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[20,20,2]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[20, 20, 2]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_full_resolution_slicing_by_quarters_upper_left(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[:728, :1296]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[:728, :1296]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_full_resolution_slicing_by_quarters_lower_left(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[728:, :1296]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[728:, :1296]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_full_resolution_slicing_by_quarters_upper_right(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[:728, 1296:]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[:728, 1296:]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_full_resolution_slicing_by_quarters_lower_right(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[728:, 1296:]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[728:, 1296:]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_full_resolution_slicing_by_quarters_center(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[364:1092, 648:1942]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[364:1092, 648:1942]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_full_resolution_slicing_by_halves_left(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[:, :1296]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[:, :1296]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_full_resolution_slicing_by_right_half(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[:, 1296:]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[:, 1296:]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_full_resolution_slicing_by_top_half(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[:728, :]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[:728, :]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_full_resolution_slicing_by_bottom_half(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[728:, :]
+        expected = self.jp2_data[728:, :]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_region_rlevel1(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[0:201:2, 0:201:2]
+        expected = self.jp2.read(area=(0, 0, 201, 201), rlevel=1)
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_region_rlevel1_slice_start_is_none(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[:201:2, :201:2]
+        expected = self.jp2.read(area=(0, 0, 201, 201), rlevel=1)
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_region_rlevel1_slice_stop_is_none(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[201::2, 201::2]
+        expected = self.jp2.read(area=(201, 201, 1456, 2592), rlevel=1)
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_region_rlevel1(self):
+        actual = self.jp2[0:202:2, 0:202:2]
+        expected = self.jp2.read(area=(0, 0, 202, 202), rlevel=1)
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_slice_protocol_2d_reduce_resolution(self):
+        d = self.j2k[:]
+        self.assertEqual(d.shape, (800, 480, 3))
+
+        d = self.j2k[::1, ::1]
+        self.assertEqual(d.shape, (800, 480, 3))
+
+        d = self.j2k[::2, ::2]
+        self.assertEqual(d.shape, (400, 240, 3))
+
+        d = self.j2k[::4, ::4]
+        self.assertEqual(d.shape, (200, 120, 3))
+
+        d = self.j2k[::8, ::8]
+        self.assertEqual(d.shape, (100, 60, 3))
+
+        d = self.j2k[::16, ::16]
+        self.assertEqual(d.shape, (50, 30, 3))
+
+        d = self.j2k[::32, ::32]
+        self.assertEqual(d.shape, (25, 15, 3))
+
+    def test_region_rlevel5(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[5:533:32, 27:423:32]
+        expected = self.j2k.read(area=(5, 27, 533, 423), rlevel=5)
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+@unittest.skipIf(OPJ_DATA_ROOT is None,
+                 "OPJ_DATA_ROOT environment variable not set")
+class TestSliceProtocolOpjData(unittest.TestCase):
+    """
+    Test slice protocol, i.e. when using [ ] to read image data.
+    These correspond to tests for the read method with the area parameter.
+    """
+    @classmethod
+    def setUpClass(self):
+
+        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
+        self.j2k = Jp2k(jfile)
+        self.j2k_data = self.j2k.read()
+        self.j2k_half_data = self.j2k.read(rlevel=1)
+        self.j2k_quarter_data = self.j2k.read(rlevel=2)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_43_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[:1024, :1024]
+        expected = self.j2k_data
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_44_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[640:768, 512:640]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[640:768, 512:640]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_45_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[896:1024, 896:1024]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[896:1024, 896:1024]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_46_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[500:800, 100:300]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[500:800, 100:300]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_47_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[520:600, 260:360]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[520:600, 260:360]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_48_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[520:660, 260:360]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[520:660, 260:360]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_49_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[520:600, 360:400]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[520:600, 360:400]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_50_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[:1024:4, :1024:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[:256, :256]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_51_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[640:768:4, 512:640:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[160:192, 128:160]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_52_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[896:1024:4, 896:1024:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[224:352, 224:352]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_53_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[500:800:4, 100:300:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[125:200, 25:75]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_54_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[520:600:4, 260:360:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[130:150, 65:90]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_55_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[520:660:4, 260:360:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[130:165, 65:90]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_56_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[520:600:4, 360:400:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[130:150, 90:100]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_06_j2k_75_decode(self):
+        # Image size would be 0 x 0.
+        with self.assertRaises((IOError, OSError)):
+            self.j2k[9:12:4, 9:12:4]
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_85_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[:256, :256]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[:256, :256]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_86_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[:128, 128:256]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[:128, 128:256]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_87_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[10:200, 50:120]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[10:200, 50:120]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_88_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[150:210, 10:190]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[150:210, 10:190]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_89_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[80:150, 100:200]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[80:150, 100:200]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_90_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[20:50, 150:200]
+        expected = self.j2k_data[20:50, 150:200]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_91_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[:256:4, :256:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[0:64, 0:64]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_92_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[:128:4, 128:256:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[:32, 32:64]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_93_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[10:200:4, 50:120:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[3:50, 13:30]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_94_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[150:210:4, 10:190:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[38:53, 3:48]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_95_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[80:150:4, 100:200:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[20:38, 25:50]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_96_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k[20:50:4, 150:200:4]
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[5:13, 38:50]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
 class TestJp2k(unittest.TestCase):
     """These tests should be run by just about all configuration."""
 
@@ -63,6 +364,7 @@ class TestJp2k(unittest.TestCase):
     def tearDown(self):
         pass
 
+
     @unittest.skipIf(os.name == "nt", "Unexplained failure on windows")
     def test_irreversible(self):
         """Irreversible"""
@@ -566,13 +868,6 @@ class TestJp2k_1_x(unittest.TestCase):
     def tearDown(self):
         pass
 
-    def test_area(self):
-        """Area option not allowed for 1.x.
-        """
-        j2k = Jp2k(self.j2kfile)
-        with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
-            j2k.read(area=(0, 0, 100, 100))
-
     def test_tile(self):
         """tile option not allowed for 1.x.
         """
diff --git a/glymur/test/test_opj_suite_2p1.py b/glymur/test/test_opj_suite_2p1.py
index ebe5bf8..1b58d77 100644
--- a/glymur/test/test_opj_suite_2p1.py
+++ b/glymur/test/test_opj_suite_2p1.py
@@ -124,105 +124,6 @@ class TestSuite2point1(unittest.TestCase):
         Jp2k(jfile).read()
         self.assertTrue(True)
 
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_43_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(0, 0, 1024, 1024))
-        odata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata)
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_44_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(640, 512, 768, 640))
-        odata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[640:768, 512:640])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_45_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(896, 896, 1024, 1024))
-        odata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[896:1024, 896:1024])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_46_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(500, 100, 800, 300))
-        odata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[500:800, 100:300])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_47_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(520, 260, 600, 360))
-        odata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[520:600, 260:360])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_48_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(520, 260, 660, 360))
-        odata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[520:660, 260:360])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_49_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(520, 360, 600, 400))
-        odata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[520:600, 360:400])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_50_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(0, 0, 1024, 1024), rlevel=2)
-        odata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[0:256, 0:256])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_51_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(640, 512, 768, 640), rlevel=2)
-        odata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[160:192, 128:160])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_52_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(896, 896, 1024, 1024), rlevel=2)
-        odata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[224:352, 224:352])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_53_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(500, 100, 800, 300), rlevel=2)
-        odata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[125:200, 25:75])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_54_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(520, 260, 600, 360), rlevel=2)
-        odata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[130:150, 65:90])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_55_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(520, 260, 660, 360), rlevel=2)
-        odata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[130:165, 65:90])
-
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_56_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(520, 360, 600, 400), rlevel=2)
-        odata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(ssdata, odata[130:150, 90:100])
-
     def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_57_decode(self):
         jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
         jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
@@ -263,127 +164,180 @@ class TestSuite2point1(unittest.TestCase):
             with self.assertRaises(IOError):
                 j.read()
 
-    def test_NR_DEC_p1_06_j2k_70_decode(self):
+@unittest.skipIf(OPJ_DATA_ROOT is None,
+                 "OPJ_DATA_ROOT environment variable not set")
+@unittest.skipIf(re.match(r'''(1|2.0.0)''',
+                          glymur.version.openjpeg_version) is not None,
+                 "Only supported in 2.0.1 or higher")
+class TestReadArea(unittest.TestCase):
+    """
+    Runs tests introduced in version 2.0+ or that pass only in 2.0+
+    
+    Specifically for read method with area parameter.
+    """
+    @classmethod
+    def setUpClass(self):
+
+        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_04.j2k')
+        self.j2k = Jp2k(jfile)
+        self.j2k_data = self.j2k.read()
+        self.j2k_half_data = self.j2k.read(rlevel=1)
+        self.j2k_quarter_data = self.j2k.read(rlevel=2)
+
         jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_06.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(9, 9, 12, 12), rlevel=1)
-        self.assertEqual(ssdata.shape, (1, 1, 3))
+        self.j2k_p1_06 = Jp2k(jfile)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_43_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(0, 0, 1024, 1024))
+        expected = self.j2k_data
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_44_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(640, 512, 768, 640))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[640:768, 512:640]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_45_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(896, 896, 1024, 1024))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[896:1024, 896:1024]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_46_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(500, 100, 800, 300))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[500:800, 100:300]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_47_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(520, 260, 600, 360))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[520:600, 260:360]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_48_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(520, 260, 660, 360))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[520:660, 260:360]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_49_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(520, 360, 600, 400))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[520:600, 360:400]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_50_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(0, 0, 1024, 1024), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_51_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(640, 512, 768, 640), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[160:192, 128:160]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_52_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(896, 896, 1024, 1024), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[224:352, 224:352]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_53_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(500, 100, 800, 300), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[125:200, 25:75]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_54_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(520, 260, 600, 360), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[130:150, 65:90]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_55_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(520, 260, 660, 360), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[130:165, 65:90]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_04_j2k_56_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(520, 360, 600, 400), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[130:150, 90:100]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
+
+    def test_NR_DEC_p1_06_j2k_70_decode(self):
+        actual = self.j2k_p1_06.read(area=(9, 9, 12, 12), rlevel=1)
+        self.assertEqual(actual.shape, (1, 1, 3))
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p1_06_j2k_71_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_06.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(10, 4, 12, 10), rlevel=1)
-        self.assertEqual(ssdata.shape, (1, 3, 3))
+        actual = self.j2k_p1_06.read(area=(10, 4, 12, 10), rlevel=1)
+        self.assertEqual(actual.shape, (1, 3, 3))
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p1_06_j2k_72_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_06.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(3, 3, 9, 9), rlevel=1)
+        ssdata = self.j2k_p1_06.read(area=(3, 3, 9, 9), rlevel=1)
         self.assertEqual(ssdata.shape, (3, 3, 3))
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p1_06_j2k_73_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_06.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(4, 4, 7, 7), rlevel=1)
+        ssdata = self.j2k_p1_06.read(area=(4, 4, 7, 7), rlevel=1)
         self.assertEqual(ssdata.shape, (2, 2, 3))
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p1_06_j2k_74_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_06.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(4, 4, 5, 5), rlevel=1)
+        ssdata = self.j2k_p1_06.read(area=(4, 4, 5, 5), rlevel=1)
         self.assertEqual(ssdata.shape, (1, 1, 3))
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p1_06_j2k_75_decode(self):
         # Image size would be 0 x 0.
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p1_06.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
         with self.assertRaises((IOError, OSError)):
-            jp2k.read(area=(9, 9, 12, 12), rlevel=2)
+            self.j2k_p1_06.read(area=(9, 9, 12, 12), rlevel=2)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_85_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(0, 0, 256, 256))
-        fulldata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[0:256, 0:256], ssdata)
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(0, 0, 256, 256))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[:256, :256]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_86_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(0, 128, 128, 256))
-        fulldata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[0:128, 128:256], ssdata)
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(0, 128, 128, 256))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[:128, 128:256]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_87_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(10, 50, 200, 120))
-        fulldata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[10:200, 50:120], ssdata)
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(10, 50, 200, 120))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[10:200, 50:120]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_88_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(150, 10, 210, 190))
-        fulldata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[150:210, 10:190], ssdata)
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(150, 10, 210, 190))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[150:210, 10:190]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_89_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(80, 100, 150, 200))
-        fulldata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[80:150, 100:200], ssdata)
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(80, 100, 150, 200))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[80:150, 100:200]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_90_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(20, 150, 50, 200))
-        fulldata = jp2k.read()
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[20:50, 150:200], ssdata)
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(20, 150, 50, 200))
+        expected = self.j2k_data[20:50, 150:200]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_91_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(0, 0, 256, 256), rlevel=2)
-        fulldata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[0:64, 0:64], ssdata)
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(0, 0, 256, 256), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[0:64, 0:64]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_92_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(0, 128, 128, 256), rlevel=2)
-        fulldata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[0:32, 32:64], ssdata)
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(0, 128, 128, 256), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[:32, 32:64]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_93_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(10, 50, 200, 120), rlevel=2)
-        fulldata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[3:50, 13:30], ssdata)
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(10, 50, 200, 120), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[3:50, 13:30]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_94_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(150, 10, 210, 190), rlevel=2)
-        fulldata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[38:53, 3:48], ssdata)
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(150, 10, 210, 190), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[38:53, 3:48]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_95_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(80, 100, 150, 200), rlevel=2)
-        fulldata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[20:38, 25:50], ssdata)
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(80, 100, 150, 200), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[20:38, 25:50]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)
 
     def test_NR_DEC_p0_04_j2k_96_decode(self):
-        jfile = opj_data_file('input/conformance/p0_04.j2k')
-        jp2k = Jp2k(jfile)
-        ssdata = jp2k.read(area=(20, 150, 50, 200), rlevel=2)
-        fulldata = jp2k.read(rlevel=2)
-        np.testing.assert_array_equal(fulldata[5:13, 38:50], ssdata)
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    unittest.main()
+        actual = self.j2k.read(area=(20, 150, 50, 200), rlevel=2)
+        expected = self.j2k_quarter_data[5:13, 38:50]
+        np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual, expected)