A streaming media player receives a media stream from a server. A clock comparator of the media player compares a clock value of the server with a clock value of the media player and generates a clock state value representing how much the server's clock value lags or leads the player's clock value. An output component of the media player generates an output media stream corresponding to the input media stream. A rate component of the media player receives the clock state value from the clock comparator and varies the rate of output of the media stream from the output component in dependency on the clock state value.