--- alsa.c.orig	2013-11-14 18:38:23.320000001 -0200
+++ alsa.c	2013-11-14 18:39:59.916000000 -0200
@@ -226,6 +226,8 @@
 static int open_alsa(ca_context *c, struct outstanding *out) {
         int ret;
         snd_pcm_hw_params_t *hwparams;
+        unsigned buffer_time;
+        unsigned period_time;
         unsigned rate;
 
         snd_pcm_hw_params_alloca(&hwparams);
@@ -258,6 +260,19 @@
         if ((ret = snd_pcm_hw_params_set_channels(out->pcm, hwparams, ca_sound_file_get_nchannels(out->file))) < 0)
                 goto finish;
 
+        if ((ret = snd_pcm_hw_params_get_buffer_time_max(hwparams, &buffer_time, 0)) < 0)
+                goto finish;
+
+        if (buffer_time > 500000)
+            buffer_time = 500000;
+
+        if ((ret = snd_pcm_hw_params_set_buffer_time_near(out->pcm, hwparams, &buffer_time, 0)) < 0)
+                goto finish;
+
+        period_time = buffer_time / 4;
+        if ((ret = snd_pcm_hw_params_set_period_time_near(out->pcm, hwparams, &period_time, 0)) < 0)
+                goto finish;
+
         if ((ret = snd_pcm_hw_params(out->pcm, hwparams)) < 0)
                 goto finish;