Convergent playback of buffered content to real-time content play

A method for retrieval and playback of buffered content, the method comprising:

• buffering a content stream to a buffer responsive to a request to pause play of said content stream;
• retrieving said content from said buffer for playback of said buffered content stream responsive to a request to resume play of said content stream, thereby emptying said buffer, wherein:
• said buffer is emptied at a faster rate than the rate at which said content stream is buffered, and
• the rate at which said buffer is emptied varies.

A method for deploying a content viewing system, the method comprising:

• configuring a content player operative to receive a content stream from a content source;
• configuring a content viewer operative to receive said content from said content player;
• and
• employing a buffer into which said content player may store said received content and from which said player may provide said stored content to said content viewer, wherein said content player is operative to:
• buffer said content stream to said buffer responsive to a request to pause play of said content stream, and
• retrieve said content from said buffer for playback of said buffered content stream responsive to a request to resume play of said content stream, thereby emptying said buffer, wherein:
• said buffer is emptied at a faster rate than the rate at which said content stream is buffered, and the rate at which said buffer is emptied varies.