A receiver includes a sample rate converter configured to receive an input data stream having a variable data rate and to output a data stream having a fixed data rate. In some embodiments, the input data stream corresponds to digital video, digital audio and/or metadata, while in other embodiments the input data stream corresponds to any digital data stream that needs to be data rate converted for use by a receiving device. The sample rate converter is configured to track an externally sourced reference time signal corresponding to the input data stream.