A codec aware adaptive playout method estimates playout delays for a current packet based on a loss mean opinion score (LMOS), a delay mean opinion score (DMOS), and a mean mean opinion score (MMOS) of packets with reference to the codec used in voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), streaming audio, and streaming video transmissions. The method selects an estimated playout delay having an optimum MMOS, or playout quality, from the plurality of estimated playout delays, and delays the playout of the current packet by the selected estimated playout delay. A codec aware adaptive playout device includes a playout controller for controlling playout of packets in a playout buffer. The playout controller references network delay estimates provided by a network delay estimator, and codec information such as the LMOS, DMOS, and MMOS provided by a codec detector to determine playout delays for the packets of the playout buffer.