An intelligent MP3 error check detection method and apparatus. The claimed invention discloses an apparatus and method where all MP3 files are initially assumed to have compatible error checksums. A parameter W is initialized to zero. The parameter W is not constant and conceptually represents a state of the error check method. The destructive value of a first predefined constant is added to the parameter W each time the integrity of the data within the frame cannot be verified. The constructive value of a second predefined constant is subtracted from the parameter W each time the integrity of the data within the frame is successfully verified. If the value of the parameter W equals or exceeds a predefined threshold, the remainder of the MP3 file is decoded and played without error check protection.