A method and system for digital data transfer includes a source entity and destination entity. The source entity is configured to send a plurality of data packets at a plurality of send times separated by transmission time intervals. The destination entity is configured to receive the data packets at a plurality of receipt times separated by receipt time intervals, populate a buffer, and playback the data packets. When the receipt time interval between the receipt times of two data packets is less than the transmission time interval between the send times of said data packets, the playback speed of the data packets is dynamically adjusted to be a faster than nominal playback speed. When the buffer is smaller than a nominal buffer size, the playback speed is dynamically adjusted to be slower than nominal playback speed.