A system and method for improving real-time data communications by accounting for sampling rate mismatches between a transmitter and a receiver. Based on an analysis of the average number of packets received at a receiver over a period of time, a buffer monitor cooperating with the receiver can trigger an adjustment to the playback sampling rate to account for mismatches in the sampling rates of the transmitter and receiver. The buffer monitor may adjust the playback sampling rate more dramatically if the average is dangerously high or low, adjust the playback sampling rate less dramatically if the average is near satisfactory conditions, and not adjust the playback sampling rate if the average falls is satisfactory.