methods and arrangements are provided that integrate media streaming and quality of service supportive protocols , such as , e . g ., real - time streaming protocol and resource reservation protocol , respectively , in a manner that significantly reduces a session &# 39 ; s startup latency as well as providing a higher quality of service that is experienced by an end user . the methods and arrangements selectively initiate the streaming of the media data as soon as possible , perhaps at an initially lower qos , while simultaneously setting up a more desirable or applicable guaranteed qos path . the methods and arrangements can be implemented in an intelligent manner to dynamically and / or selectively modify the streaming media in response to various network congestion problems , etc . a different / dynamic qos capability may be setup during an existing streaming operation , and the streaming operation modified accordingly once the new qos set - up has been completed . the methods and arrangements can provide such capabilities without significantly disturbing the user &# 39 ; s experience .