output: play from a music_pipe object

Instead of passing individual buffers to audio_output_all_play(), pass
music_chunk objects.  Append all those chunks asynchronously to a
music_pipe instance.  All output threads may then read chunks from
this pipe.  This reduces MPD's internal latency by an order of
magnitude.

8 files changed, 378 insertions, 113 deletions

diff --git a/src/output_all.c b/src/output_all.c
index 7b308a428..c1353fa71 100644
--- a/src/output_all.c
+++ b/src/output_all.c
@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@
 #include "output_internal.h"
 #include "output_control.h"
 #include "conf.h"
+#include "pipe.h"
+#include "buffer.h"
+
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+#include "chunk.h"
+#endif
 
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <string.h>
@@ -32,6 +38,17 @@ static struct audio_format input_audio_format;
 static struct audio_output *audio_outputs;
 static unsigned int num_audio_outputs;
 
+/**
+ * The #music_buffer object where consumed chunks are returned.
+ */
+static struct music_buffer *g_music_buffer;
+
+/**
+ * The #music_pipe object which feeds all audio outputs.  It is filled
+ * by audio_output_all_play().
+ */
+static struct music_pipe *g_mp;
+
 unsigned int audio_output_count(void)
 {
 	return num_audio_outputs;
@@ -179,60 +196,63 @@ audio_output_all_update(void)
 
 	for (i = 0; i < num_audio_outputs; ++i)
 		ret = audio_output_update(&audio_outputs[i],
-					  &input_audio_format) || ret;
+					  &input_audio_format, g_mp) || ret;
 
 	return ret;
 }
 
 bool
-audio_output_all_play(const char *buffer, size_t length)
+audio_output_all_play(struct music_chunk *chunk)
 {
-	bool ret = false;
+	bool ret;
 	unsigned int i;
 
-	assert(length > 0);
-	/* no partial frames allowed */
-	assert((length % audio_format_frame_size(&input_audio_format)) == 0);
+	assert(g_music_buffer != NULL);
+	assert(g_mp != NULL);
+	assert(chunk != NULL);
+	assert(music_chunk_check_format(chunk, &input_audio_format));
 
-	audio_output_all_update();
+	ret = audio_output_all_update();
+	if (!ret)
+		return false;
+
+	music_pipe_push(g_mp, chunk);
 
 	for (i = 0; i < num_audio_outputs; ++i)
 		if (audio_output_is_open(&audio_outputs[i]))
-			audio_output_play(&audio_outputs[i],
-					  buffer, length);
-
-	while (true) {
-		bool finished = true;
-
-		for (i = 0; i < num_audio_outputs; ++i) {
-			struct audio_output *ao = &audio_outputs[i];
-
-			if (!audio_output_is_open(ao))
-				continue;
-
-			if (audio_output_command_is_finished(ao))
-				ret = true;
-			else {
-				finished = false;
-				audio_output_signal(ao);
-			}
-		}
-
-		if (finished)
-			break;
-
-		notify_wait(&audio_output_client_notify);
-	};
+			audio_output_play(&audio_outputs[i]);
 
 	return ret;
 }
 
 bool
-audio_output_all_open(const struct audio_format *audio_format)
+audio_output_all_open(const struct audio_format *audio_format,
+		      struct music_buffer *buffer)
 {
 	bool ret = false, enabled = false;
 	unsigned int i;
 
+	assert(buffer != NULL);
+	assert(g_music_buffer == NULL || g_music_buffer == buffer);
+	assert((g_mp == NULL) == (g_music_buffer == NULL));
+
+	g_music_buffer = buffer;
+
+	/* the audio format must be the same as existing chunks in the
+	   pipe */
+	assert(audio_format == NULL || g_mp == NULL ||
+	       music_pipe_check_format(g_mp, audio_format));
+
+	if (g_mp == NULL)
+		g_mp = music_pipe_new();
+	else
+		/* if the pipe hasn't been cleared, the the audio
+		   format must not have changed */
+		assert(music_pipe_size(g_mp) == 0 ||
+		       audio_format == NULL ||
+		       audio_format_equals(audio_format,
+					   &input_audio_format));
+
 	if (audio_format != NULL)
 		input_audio_format = *audio_format;
 
@@ -257,6 +277,121 @@ audio_output_all_open(const struct audio_format *audio_format)
 	return ret;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Has the specified audio output already consumed this chunk?
+ */
+static bool
+chunk_is_consumed_in(const struct audio_output *ao,
+		     const struct music_chunk *chunk)
+{
+	if (ao->chunk == NULL)
+		return false;
+
+	assert(chunk == ao->chunk || music_pipe_contains(g_mp, ao->chunk));
+
+	if (chunk != ao->chunk) {
+		assert(chunk->next != NULL);
+		return true;
+	}
+
+	return ao->chunk_finished && chunk->next == NULL;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Has this chunk been consumed by all audio outputs?
+ */
+static bool
+chunk_is_consumed(const struct music_chunk *chunk)
+{
+	for (unsigned i = 0; i < num_audio_outputs; ++i) {
+		const struct audio_output *ao = &audio_outputs[i];
+		bool consumed;
+
+		if (!ao->open)
+			continue;
+
+		g_mutex_lock(ao->mutex);
+		consumed = chunk_is_consumed_in(ao, chunk);
+		g_mutex_unlock(ao->mutex);
+
+		if (!consumed)
+			return false;
+	}
+
+	return true;
+}
+
+/**
+ * There's only one chunk left in the pipe (#g_mp), and all audio
+ * outputs have consumed it already.  Clear the reference.
+ */
+static void
+clear_tail_chunk(const struct music_chunk *chunk, bool *locked)
+{
+	assert(chunk->next == NULL);
+	assert(music_pipe_contains(g_mp, chunk));
+
+	for (unsigned i = 0; i < num_audio_outputs; ++i) {
+		struct audio_output *ao = &audio_outputs[i];
+
+		locked[i] = ao->open;
+
+		if (!locked[i])
+			continue;
+
+		/* this mutex will be unlocked by the caller when it's
+		   ready */
+		g_mutex_lock(ao->mutex);
+
+		assert(ao->chunk == chunk);
+		assert(ao->chunk_finished);
+		ao->chunk = NULL;
+	}
+}
+
+unsigned
+audio_output_all_check(void)
+{
+	const struct music_chunk *chunk;
+	bool is_tail;
+	struct music_chunk *shifted;
+	bool locked[num_audio_outputs];
+
+	assert(g_music_buffer != NULL);
+	assert(g_mp != NULL);
+
+	while ((chunk = music_pipe_peek(g_mp)) != NULL) {
+		assert(music_pipe_size(g_mp) > 0);
+
+		if (!chunk_is_consumed(chunk))
+			/* at least one output is not finished playing
+			   this chunk */
+			return music_pipe_size(g_mp) - 1;
+
+		is_tail = chunk->next == NULL;
+		if (is_tail)
+			/* this is the tail of the pipe - clear the
+			   chunk reference in all outputs */
+			clear_tail_chunk(chunk, locked);
+
+		/* remove the chunk from the pipe */
+		shifted = music_pipe_shift(g_mp);
+		assert(shifted == chunk);
+
+		if (is_tail)
+			/* unlock all audio outputs which were locked
+			   by clear_tail_chunk() */
+			for (unsigned i = 0; i < num_audio_outputs; ++i)
+				if (locked[i])
+					g_mutex_unlock(audio_outputs[i].mutex);
+
+		/* return the chunk to the buffer */
+		music_buffer_return(g_music_buffer, shifted);
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
 void
 audio_output_all_pause(void)
 {
@@ -278,12 +413,19 @@ audio_output_all_cancel(void)
 
 	audio_output_all_update();
 
+	/* send the cancel() command to all audio outputs */
+
 	for (i = 0; i < num_audio_outputs; ++i) {
 		if (audio_output_is_open(&audio_outputs[i]))
 			audio_output_cancel(&audio_outputs[i]);
 	}
 
 	audio_output_wait_all();
+
+	/* clear the music pipe and return all chunks to the buffer */
+
+	if (g_mp != NULL)
+		music_pipe_clear(g_mp, g_music_buffer);
 }
 
 void
@@ -293,16 +435,14 @@ audio_output_all_close(void)
 
 	for (i = 0; i < num_audio_outputs; ++i)
 		audio_output_close(&audio_outputs[i]);
-}
 
-void
-audio_output_all_tag(const struct tag *tag)
-{
-	unsigned int i;
+	if (g_mp != NULL) {
+		assert(g_music_buffer != NULL);
 
-	for (i = 0; i < num_audio_outputs; ++i)
-		if (audio_output_is_open(&audio_outputs[i]))
-			audio_output_send_tag(&audio_outputs[i], tag);
+		music_pipe_clear(g_mp, g_music_buffer);
+		music_pipe_free(g_mp);
+		g_mp = NULL;
+	}
 
-	audio_output_wait_all();
+	g_music_buffer = NULL;
 }
diff --git a/src/output_all.h b/src/output_all.h
index 6f55809f3..deb33e0e4 100644
--- a/src/output_all.h
+++ b/src/output_all.h
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@
 #include <stddef.h>
 
 struct audio_format;
-struct tag;
+struct music_buffer;
+struct music_chunk;
 
 /**
  * Global initialization: load audio outputs from the configuration
@@ -68,10 +69,13 @@ audio_output_find(const char *name);
  *
  * @param audio_format the preferred audio format, or NULL to reuse
  * the previous format
+ * @param buffer the #music_buffer where consumed #music_chunk objects
+ * should be returned
  * @return true on success, false on failure
  */
 bool
-audio_output_all_open(const struct audio_format *audio_format);
+audio_output_all_open(const struct audio_format *audio_format,
+		      struct music_buffer *buffer);
 
 /**
  * Closes all audio outputs.
@@ -80,19 +84,24 @@ void
 audio_output_all_close(void);
 
 /**
- * Play a chunk of audio data.
+ * Enqueue a #music_chunk object for playing, i.e. pushes it to a
+ * #music_pipe.
  *
+ * @param chunk the #music_chunk object to be played
  * @return true on success, false if no audio output was able to play
  * (all closed then)
  */
 bool
-audio_output_all_play(const char *data, size_t size);
+audio_output_all_play(struct music_chunk *chunk);
 
 /**
- * Send metadata for the next chunk.
+ * Checks if the output devices have drained their music pipe, and
+ * returns the consumed music chunks to the #music_buffer.
+ *
+ * @return the number of chunks to play left in the #music_pipe
  */
-void
-audio_output_all_tag(const struct tag *tag);
+unsigned
+audio_output_all_check(void);
 
 /**
  * Puts all audio outputs into pause mode.  Most implementations will
diff --git a/src/output_control.c b/src/output_control.c
index 47bb844d5..85bbea329 100644
--- a/src/output_control.c
+++ b/src/output_control.c
@@ -57,8 +57,11 @@ static void ao_command_async(struct audio_output *ao,
 
 static bool
 audio_output_open(struct audio_output *ao,
-		  const struct audio_format *audio_format)
+		  const struct audio_format *audio_format,
+		  const struct music_pipe *mp)
 {
+	assert(mp != NULL);
+
 	if (ao->fail_timer != NULL) {
 		g_timer_destroy(ao->fail_timer);
 		ao->fail_timer = NULL;
@@ -66,10 +69,13 @@ audio_output_open(struct audio_output *ao,
 
 	if (ao->open &&
 	    audio_format_equals(audio_format, &ao->in_audio_format)) {
+		assert(ao->pipe == mp);
+
 		return true;
 	}
 
 	ao->in_audio_format = *audio_format;
+	ao->chunk = NULL;
 
 	if (audio_format_defined(&ao->config_audio_format)) {
 		/* copy config_audio_format to out_audio_format only if the
@@ -85,6 +91,8 @@ audio_output_open(struct audio_output *ao,
 			audio_output_close(ao);
 	}
 
+	ao->pipe = mp;
+
 	if (ao->thread == NULL)
 		audio_output_thread_start(ao);
 
@@ -96,12 +104,15 @@ audio_output_open(struct audio_output *ao,
 
 bool
 audio_output_update(struct audio_output *ao,
-		    const struct audio_format *audio_format)
+		    const struct audio_format *audio_format,
+		    const struct music_pipe *mp)
 {
+	assert(mp != NULL);
+
 	if (ao->enabled) {
 		if (ao->fail_timer == NULL ||
 		    g_timer_elapsed(ao->fail_timer, NULL) > REOPEN_AFTER)
-			return audio_output_open(ao, audio_format);
+			return audio_output_open(ao, audio_format, mp);
 	} else if (audio_output_is_open(ao))
 		audio_output_close(ao);
 
@@ -115,16 +126,12 @@ audio_output_signal(struct audio_output *ao)
 }
 
 void
-audio_output_play(struct audio_output *ao, const void *chunk, size_t size)
+audio_output_play(struct audio_output *ao)
 {
-	assert(size > 0);
-
 	if (!ao->open)
 		return;
 
-	ao->args.play.data = chunk;
-	ao->args.play.size = size;
-	ao_command_async(ao, AO_COMMAND_PLAY);
+	notify_signal(&ao->notify);
 }
 
 void audio_output_pause(struct audio_output *ao)
@@ -163,14 +170,5 @@ void audio_output_finish(struct audio_output *ao)
 	ao_plugin_finish(ao->plugin, ao->data);
 
 	notify_deinit(&ao->notify);
-}
-
-void
-audio_output_send_tag(struct audio_output *ao, const struct tag *tag)
-{
-	if (ao->plugin->send_tag == NULL)
-		return;
-
-	ao->args.tag = tag;
-	ao_command_async(ao, AO_COMMAND_SEND_TAG);
+	g_mutex_free(ao->mutex);
 }
diff --git a/src/output_control.h b/src/output_control.h
index fe3233e69..511aa1204 100644
--- a/src/output_control.h
+++ b/src/output_control.h
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@
 
 struct audio_output;
 struct audio_format;
-struct tag;
 struct config_param;
+struct music_pipe;
 
 static inline GQuark
 audio_output_quark(void)
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ audio_output_init(struct audio_output *ao, const struct config_param *param,
  */
 bool
 audio_output_update(struct audio_output *ao,
-		    const struct audio_format *audio_format);
+		    const struct audio_format *audio_format,
+		    const struct music_pipe *mp);
 
 /**
  * Wakes up the audio output thread.  This is part of a workaround for
@@ -57,14 +58,12 @@ void
 audio_output_signal(struct audio_output *ao);
 
 void
-audio_output_play(struct audio_output *ao, const void *chunk, size_t size);
+audio_output_play(struct audio_output *ao);
 
 void audio_output_pause(struct audio_output *ao);
 
 void audio_output_cancel(struct audio_output *ao);
 void audio_output_close(struct audio_output *ao);
 void audio_output_finish(struct audio_output *ao);
-void
-audio_output_send_tag(struct audio_output *ao, const struct tag *tag);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/output_init.c b/src/output_init.c
index 664ca9eb4..5681256d1 100644
--- a/src/output_init.c
+++ b/src/output_init.c
@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ audio_output_init(struct audio_output *ao, const struct config_param *param,
 	ao->thread = NULL;
 	notify_init(&ao->notify);
 	ao->command = AO_COMMAND_NONE;
+	ao->mutex = g_mutex_new();
 
 	ao->data = ao_plugin_init(plugin,
 				  format ? &ao->config_audio_format : NULL,
diff --git a/src/output_internal.h b/src/output_internal.h
index 498f45d06..7e1ac9b7a 100644
--- a/src/output_internal.h
+++ b/src/output_internal.h
@@ -30,10 +30,8 @@ enum audio_output_command {
 	AO_COMMAND_NONE = 0,
 	AO_COMMAND_OPEN,
 	AO_COMMAND_CLOSE,
-	AO_COMMAND_PLAY,
 	AO_COMMAND_PAUSE,
 	AO_COMMAND_CANCEL,
-	AO_COMMAND_SEND_TAG,
 	AO_COMMAND_KILL
 };
 
@@ -110,16 +108,27 @@ struct audio_output {
 	enum audio_output_command command;
 
 	/**
-	 * Command arguments, depending on the command.
+	 * The music pipe which provides music chunks to be played.
 	 */
-	union {
-		struct {
-			const void *data;
-			size_t size;
-		} play;
+	const struct music_pipe *pipe;
 
-		const struct tag *tag;
-	} args;
+	/**
+	 * This mutex protects #chunk and #chunk_finished.
+	 */
+	GMutex *mutex;
+
+	/**
+	 * The #music_chunk which is currently being played.  All
+	 * chunks before this one may be returned to the
+	 * #music_buffer, because they are not going to be used by
+	 * this output anymore.
+	 */
+	const struct music_chunk *chunk;
+
+	/**
+	 * Has the output finished playing #chunk?
+	 */
+	bool chunk_finished;
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/output_thread.c b/src/output_thread.c
index a55260785..786b04204 100644
--- a/src/output_thread.c
+++ b/src/output_thread.c
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 #include "output_thread.h"
 #include "output_api.h"
 #include "output_internal.h"
+#include "chunk.h"
+#include "pipe.h"
 
 #include <glib.h>
 
@@ -41,6 +43,12 @@ ao_close(struct audio_output *ao)
 {
 	assert(ao->open);
 
+	ao->pipe = NULL;
+
+	g_mutex_lock(ao->mutex);
+	ao->chunk = NULL;
+	g_mutex_unlock(ao->mutex);
+
 	ao_plugin_close(ao->plugin, ao->data);
 	pcm_convert_deinit(&ao->convert_state);
 	ao->open = false;
@@ -48,16 +56,25 @@ ao_close(struct audio_output *ao)
 	g_debug("closed plugin=%s name=\"%s\"", ao->plugin->name, ao->name);
 }
 
-static void ao_play(struct audio_output *ao)
+static bool
+ao_play_chunk(struct audio_output *ao, const struct music_chunk *chunk)
 {
-	const char *data = ao->args.play.data;
-	size_t size = ao->args.play.size;
+	const char *data = chunk->data;
+	size_t size = chunk->length;
 	GError *error = NULL;
 
-	assert(size > 0);
+	assert(!music_chunk_is_empty(chunk));
+	assert(music_chunk_check_format(chunk, &ao->in_audio_format));
 	assert(size % audio_format_frame_size(&ao->in_audio_format) == 0);
 
-	if (!audio_format_equals(&ao->in_audio_format, &ao->out_audio_format)) {
+	if (chunk->tag != NULL)
+		ao_plugin_send_tag(ao->plugin, ao->data, chunk->tag);
+
+	if (size == 0)
+		return true;
+
+	if (!audio_format_equals(&ao->in_audio_format,
+				 &ao->out_audio_format)) {
 		data = pcm_convert(&ao->convert_state,
 				   &ao->in_audio_format, data, size,
 				   &ao->out_audio_format, &size);
@@ -67,7 +84,7 @@ static void ao_play(struct audio_output *ao)
 		   investigated further, but for now, do this check as
 		   a workaround: */
 		if (data == NULL)
-			return;
+			return true;
 	}
 
 	while (size > 0) {
@@ -87,7 +104,7 @@ static void ao_play(struct audio_output *ao)
 			/* don't automatically reopen this device for
 			   10 seconds */
 			ao->fail_timer = g_timer_new();
-			break;
+			return false;
 		}
 
 		assert(nbytes <= size);
@@ -97,7 +114,46 @@ static void ao_play(struct audio_output *ao)
 		size -= nbytes;
 	}
 
-	ao_command_finished(ao);
+	return true;
+}
+
+static void ao_play(struct audio_output *ao)
+{
+	bool success;
+	const struct music_chunk *chunk;
+
+	assert(ao->pipe != NULL);
+
+	g_mutex_lock(ao->mutex);
+	chunk = ao->chunk;
+	if (chunk != NULL)
+		/* continue the previous play() call */
+		chunk = chunk->next;
+	else
+		chunk = music_pipe_peek(ao->pipe);
+	ao->chunk_finished = false;
+
+	while (chunk != NULL && ao->command == AO_COMMAND_NONE) {
+		assert(!ao->chunk_finished);
+
+		ao->chunk = chunk;
+		g_mutex_unlock(ao->mutex);
+
+		success = ao_play_chunk(ao, chunk);
+
+		g_mutex_lock(ao->mutex);
+
+		if (!success) {
+			assert(ao->chunk == NULL);
+			break;
+		}
+
+		assert(ao->chunk == chunk);
+		chunk = chunk->next;
+	}
+
+	ao->chunk_finished = true;
+	g_mutex_unlock(ao->mutex);
 }
 
 static void ao_pause(struct audio_output *ao)
@@ -130,6 +186,8 @@ static gpointer audio_output_task(gpointer arg)
 		case AO_COMMAND_OPEN:
 			assert(!ao->open);
 			assert(ao->fail_timer == NULL);
+			assert(ao->pipe != NULL);
+			assert(ao->chunk == NULL);
 
 			error = NULL;
 			ret = ao_plugin_open(ao->plugin, ao->data,
@@ -170,35 +228,40 @@ static gpointer audio_output_task(gpointer arg)
 
 		case AO_COMMAND_CLOSE:
 			assert(ao->open);
+			assert(ao->pipe != NULL);
+
+			ao->pipe = NULL;
+			ao->chunk = NULL;
 
 			ao_plugin_cancel(ao->plugin, ao->data);
 			ao_close(ao);
 			ao_command_finished(ao);
 			break;
 
-		case AO_COMMAND_PLAY:
-			ao_play(ao);
-			break;
-
 		case AO_COMMAND_PAUSE:
 			ao_pause(ao);
 			break;
 
 		case AO_COMMAND_CANCEL:
+			ao->chunk = NULL;
 			ao_plugin_cancel(ao->plugin, ao->data);
 			ao_command_finished(ao);
-			break;
 
-		case AO_COMMAND_SEND_TAG:
-			ao_plugin_send_tag(ao->plugin, ao->data, ao->args.tag);
-			ao_command_finished(ao);
-			break;
+			/* the player thread will now clear our music
+			   pipe - wait for a notify, to give it some
+			   time */
+			notify_wait(&ao->notify);
+			continue;
 
 		case AO_COMMAND_KILL:
+			ao->chunk = NULL;
 			ao_command_finished(ao);
 			return NULL;
 		}
 
+		if (ao->open)
+			ao_play(ao);
+
 		notify_wait(&ao->notify);
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/player_thread.c b/src/player_thread.c
index dee564ad0..7205822e9 100644
--- a/src/player_thread.c
+++ b/src/player_thread.c
@@ -177,10 +177,22 @@ player_check_decoder_startup(struct player *player)
 		return false;
 	} else if (!decoder_is_starting()) {
 		/* the decoder is ready and ok */
+
+		if (audio_format_defined(&player->play_audio_format) &&
+		    audio_output_all_check() > 0) {
+			/* the output devices havn't finished playing
+			   all chunks yet - wait for that */
+
+			/* XXX synchronize in a better way */
+			g_usleep(1000);
+			return true;
+		}
+
 		player->decoder_starting = false;
 
 		if (!player->paused &&
-		    !audio_output_all_open(&dc.out_audio_format)) {
+		    !audio_output_all_open(&dc.out_audio_format,
+					   player_buffer)) {
 			char *uri = song_get_uri(dc.next_song);
 			g_warning("problems opening audio device "
 				  "while playing \"%s\"", uri);
@@ -268,7 +280,7 @@ static void player_process_command(struct player *player)
 			audio_output_all_pause();
 			pc.state = PLAYER_STATE_PAUSE;
 		} else {
-			if (audio_output_all_open(NULL)) {
+			if (audio_output_all_open(NULL, player_buffer)) {
 				pc.state = PLAYER_STATE_PLAY;
 			} else {
 				assert(dc.next_song == NULL || dc.next_song->url != NULL);
@@ -328,8 +340,6 @@ play_chunk(struct song *song, struct music_chunk *chunk,
 	pc.bit_rate = chunk->bit_rate;
 
 	if (chunk->tag != NULL) {
-		audio_output_all_tag(chunk->tag);
-
 		if (!song_is_file(song)) {
 			/* always update the tag of remote streams */
 			struct tag *old_tag = song->tag;
@@ -349,9 +359,6 @@ play_chunk(struct song *song, struct music_chunk *chunk,
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (chunk->length == 0)
-		return true;
-
 	success = pcm_volume(chunk->data, chunk->length,
 			     format, pc.software_volume);
 	if (!success) {
@@ -362,7 +369,7 @@ play_chunk(struct song *song, struct music_chunk *chunk,
 		return false;
 	}
 
-	if (!audio_output_all_play(chunk->data, chunk->length)) {
+	if (!audio_output_all_play(chunk)) {
 		pc.errored_song = dc.current_song;
 		pc.error = PLAYER_ERROR_AUDIO;
 		return false;
@@ -385,6 +392,15 @@ play_next_chunk(struct player *player)
 	unsigned cross_fade_position;
 	bool success;
 
+	if (audio_output_all_check() >= 64) {
+		/* the output pipe is still large
+		   enough, don't send another chunk */
+
+		/* XXX synchronize in a better way */
+		g_usleep(1000);
+		return true;
+	}
+
 	if (player->xfade == XFADE_ENABLED &&
 	    dc.pipe != NULL && dc.pipe != player->pipe &&
 	    (cross_fade_position = music_pipe_size(player->pipe))
@@ -440,10 +456,11 @@ play_next_chunk(struct player *player)
 
 	success = play_chunk(player->song, chunk, &player->play_audio_format,
 			     player->size_to_time);
-	music_buffer_return(player_buffer, chunk);
 
-	if (!success)
+	if (!success) {
+		music_buffer_return(player_buffer, chunk);
 		return false;
+	}
 
 	/* this formula should prevent that the
 	   decoder gets woken up with each chunk; it
@@ -472,7 +489,10 @@ player_song_border(struct player *player)
 	music_pipe_free(player->pipe);
 	player->pipe = dc.pipe;
 
-	return player_wait_for_decoder(player);
+	if (!player_wait_for_decoder(player))
+		return false;
+
+	return true;
 }
 
 static void do_play(void)
@@ -488,7 +508,6 @@ static void do_play(void)
 		.cross_fade_chunks = 0,
 		.size_to_time = 0.0,
 	};
-	static const char silence[CHUNK_SIZE];
 
 	player.pipe = music_pipe_new();
 
@@ -585,6 +604,13 @@ static void do_play(void)
 
 			if (!play_next_chunk(&player))
 				break;
+		} else if (audio_output_all_check() > 0) {
+			/* not enough data from decoder, but the
+			   output thread is still busy, so it's
+			   okay */
+
+			/* XXX synchronize in a better way */
+			g_usleep(10000);
 		} else if (dc.pipe != NULL && dc.pipe != player.pipe) {
 			/* at the beginning of a new song */
 
@@ -593,15 +619,32 @@ static void do_play(void)
 		} else if (decoder_is_idle()) {
 			break;
 		} else {
+			/* the decoder is too busy and hasn't provided
+			   new PCM data in time: send silence (if the
+			   output pipe is empty) */
+			struct music_chunk *chunk;
 			size_t frame_size =
 				audio_format_frame_size(&player.play_audio_format);
 			/* this formula ensures that we don't send
 			   partial frames */
 			unsigned num_frames = CHUNK_SIZE / frame_size;
 
+			chunk = music_buffer_allocate(player_buffer);
+			if (chunk == NULL)
+				continue;
+
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+			chunk->audio_format = player.play_audio_format;
+#endif
+
+			chunk->length = num_frames * frame_size;
+			memset(chunk->data, 0, chunk->length);
+
 			/*DEBUG("waiting for decoded audio, play silence\n");*/
-			if (!audio_output_all_play(silence, num_frames * frame_size))
+			if (!audio_output_all_play(chunk)) {
+				music_buffer_return(player_buffer, chunk);
 				break;
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -637,6 +680,9 @@ static gpointer player_task(G_GNUC_UNUSED gpointer arg)
 			break;
 
 		case PLAYER_COMMAND_STOP:
+			audio_output_all_cancel();
+			/* fall through */
+
 		case PLAYER_COMMAND_SEEK:
 		case PLAYER_COMMAND_PAUSE:
 			pc.next_song = NULL;