Technique for Dynamically Controlling Data Packet Transmissions

An apparatus for controlling packet transmissions from a server to a client having a client buffer, wherein a bit rate of packets from the server to the client is adjustable by the server based on a current status of the client buffer, the apparatus comprising:

• a bit rate controller for starting to transmit data in packets at a current bit rate;
• a client buffer monitor for monitoring the client buffer to detect when packets containing data encoded subject to the current bit rate first reach the client buffer and for detecting a reference value representative of an amount of data within the client buffer when the packets containing data encoded subject to the current bit rate first reached the client buffer;
• a tracking unit for backing a value representative of an amount of data currently within the client buffer;
• and
• a dynamic mode controller for controlling adjustments in the bit rate of packets based on the value representative of the amount of data currently within the client buffer and based on the reference value.