a data transfer system allowing high - quality transfer of streaming data through a network having a relatively large delay variation in data delivery is disclosed . when transferring streaming data in packets from a server computer to a client computer through a repeater provided in the network , the repeater buffers a streaming packet for a set time period before forwarding it to the client computer . the set time period is determined so that a receiving time interval of packets at the client computer is substantially equal to a sending time interval of packets at the server computer .