Collaboration, Voice & AV · Intermediate

Jitter Buffer

A receive buffer that holds and reorders incoming voice packets to play them out at an even rate despite variable arrival times.

Definition

Endpoints use a jitter buffer, also called a de-jitter or playout buffer, to absorb delay variation. A static buffer adds a fixed delay, while an adaptive buffer grows or shrinks with observed jitter. If packets arrive later than the buffer can absorb they are discarded and treated as loss, and an oversized buffer adds unnecessary one-way delay.

Related terms