Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for inserting new data packets into an incoming digital video transport stream containing a plurality of original data packets. The apparatus comprises: 1) an input buffer for storing the original data packets of the incoming digital video stream; and 2) a video processor that retrieves the stored original data packets from the input buffer and determines from the original data packets N data frequencies associated with N most recently received ones of the plurality of original data packets. The video processor estimates from the N data frequencies an estimated data frequency of a plurality of next incoming original data packets and uses the estimated data frequency to determine an insertion rate at which the new data packets may be inserted into the plurality of next incoming original data packets.