Abstract: Strong fluctuations of the transmission capacity may frequently occur in the transmission of audio/video signals in modern telecommunication networks. Occasionally, even breaks in transmission may occur. To improve playback, an exemplary method is provided, which may be used in GSM networks and future UMTS networks as well as for the fixed network. In scalable encoding methods for audio and video transmission, the bit stream is depacketized into a base bit stream and a defined number of enhancement bit streams. The exemplary method provides that the base bit stream, which may ensure a fully adequate playback, is transmitted with priority. Enhancement bit streams are transmitted only to the extent allowed by the available transmission bit rate in the network. The prioritized transmission of the base bit stream allows for playback to start quickly. For bridging breaks in the transmission, the base bit stream is stored in a buffer.