The invention provides a method for processing time delay when a video terminal receives a video data, comprising the following steps of: 1) arranging a buffer area at a decoder of a video terminal; 2) turning to step 4) when the amount of the data packets is more than a high point, entering the next step when the amount thereof is between the high point and a low point, and checking the network connection when the amount thereof is less than the low point; 3) calculating the time absolute difference value of the previous normal packet and the current packet; turning to step 5) when the difference value is less than or equal to the prearranged normal packet-receiving time and entering the next step when the difference value is more than the prearranged normal packet-receiving time; 4) during framing, replacing the frame P with the previous P frame or carrying out the frame skipping treatment when the frame P exists; continuing to frame if the frame I appears; decoding the frame withoutdisplaying the frame; and entering the next step when the buffer area data packet amount in the step 2) and the time absolute difference of the step 3) are recovered to a normal level; and 5) recovering a normal framing and decoding flow. The method can control the generated time delay within an acceptable range and ensures the normalness and working efficiency of the video monitoring.