a method and apparatus for synchronizing audio and video data streams in a computer system during a multimedia presentation to produce a correctly synchronized presentation . the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a nonlinear feedback method for data synchronization . the method of the present invention periodically queries each driver for the current audio and video position and calculates the synchronization error . the synchronization error is used to determine a tempo value adjustment to one of the data stream designed to place the video and audio back in sync . the method then adjusts the audio or video tempo to maintain the audio and video data streams in synchrony . in the preferred embodiment of the invention , the video tempo is changed nonlinearly over time to achieve a match between the video position and the equivalent audio position . the method applies a smoothing function to the determined tempo value to prevent overcompensation . the method of the present invention can operate in any hardware system and in any software environment and can be adapted to existing systems with only minor modifications .