A method and apparatus is provided for synchronizing both the initiation of playback of digital multimedia data in one or more receivers and the rate of playback of the digital multimedia data in the one or more receivers, all receiving the digital multimedia data from a single transmitter, without transmitting clock or timing signals to the receiver(s). An exemplary embodiment is described using the AC powerline as a medium of transmission, although the method and apparatus are adaptable to a variety of communication media.