filter decoded audio buffer

[v.koehler]

hello,

in /src/audio_output/dec.c there is a function aout_DecPlay, which filters the decoded buffer.
all buffers which accomplish this condition:
"if ( p_buffer->start_date > mdate() + p_input->i_pts_delay + AOUT_MAX_ADVANCE_TIME )"
will be thrown away with "aout_BufferFree( p_buffer );
mdate() is a current date, now i need to know what is AOUT_MAX_ADVANCE_TIME and p_input->i_pts_delay.
it's surely be useful to know how start_date of the buffer will be setted.

Does somebody of you have some experiences with this topic?
it would help me a lot