Synchronized audio/video decoding for network devices

A network device, comprising:

• a network interface adapted to receive encoded data transmitted over a network;
• a decoder coupled to the network interface adapted to decode the received encoded data;
• and
• a processor coupled to the network interface and decoder, the processor containing circuitry adapted to:
• receive a set of timestamp signals via the network interface, wherein each timestamp signal within the set of timestamp signals has a value corresponding to a timestamped beacon transmitted by a network server;
• receive a set of local clock signals, wherein each local clock signal within the set of local clock signals has a value generated by a local system time clock associated with the decoder;
• compute a differential timestamp value based on values of timestamp signals within the set of timestamp signals;
• compute a differential local clock value based on values of local clock signals within the set of local clock signals;
• determine whether the differential local clock value has a predetermined relationship with respect to the differential timestamp value;
• and
• transmit a clock rate adjustment command signal to the decoder when it is determined that the differential local clock value does not have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value, wherein the clock rate adjustment command signal is adapted to adjust the local system time clock such that a subsequent differential local clock value will have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value.