Ubuntu
gnome-media package

[feisty,beta] "Invalid parameters" on recording sound with "Sound recorder" (gnome-sourd-recorder)

Bug #103019 reported by Boris Dušek
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gnome-media (Ubuntu)
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Bug Description

Binary package hint: gnome-media

I am running Ubuntu Feisty Beta (as live cd). gnome-sound-recorder (Applications->Sound & Video->Sound Recorder) does not work, but simple "arecord test.wav; aplay test.wav" works prefectly.

When I start and then stop after few seconds recording with gnome-sound-recorder, when I try to replay the file, nothing happens, the timeline slide bar does not move and is disabled (gray). When I try to save the file, error box with following message shows: Could not save the file "Invalid parameters"

Note that I change the sound configuration when I boot according to 8 steps described in bug #89552, and after that, "arecord" works for both microphones; but gnome-sound-recorder does not work. (this error happens no matter which sound input source I choose in gnome-sound-recorder, or which format I want to save it in).

I discovered some strange things: when I try to close the gnome-sound-recorder after apparently unsuccessful recording, it promts me with this dialog: "Save the changes to file"/tmp/gsr-record-Untitled-9636.AXC8PT" before closing?" I choose save, and a save dialog pops up and I can save the file. Playing it then with aplay, it contains the sound I was recording. When I try to record another file in the _same instance_ of gnome-sound-recorder, again, the timeline bar is disabled, hitting "Play" does not play back the new recording, but hitting "Save" now works.

And, btw., hitting "Save as" works always.

I think if this was the way gnome-sound-recorder was meant to work (i.e. you must "Save as" the recording before playing it, and when you succeed, then "Play" plays only the saved version, not the just recorded one), then what I have just described is definitely a serious usability bug. It took me 1 hour to discover to my great surprise that gnome-sound-recorder actually can record. Other users will definitely not have such patience (and even conclude their microphone does not work in Ubuntu).

Best regards,
Boris Dušek

Revision history for this message
Spenser Gilliland (spenser-gilliland) wrote :

I have had this same problem. My microphone works but its not mention that you need to save as after you make a recording in order to play it back. Just letting y'all know Boris aint the only one.
Spenser

Revision history for this message
João Olavo Vasconcelos (joaoolavo) wrote : [feisty] "Invalid parameters" on recording sound with "Sound recorder" (gnome-sourd-recorder)

Do the following to get the error:
- Open gnome-sound-recorder.
- Press "record" button.
- Wait for a few seconds (say 3s).
- Press "stop" button.
- Press "Save" button.

And then an error is reported, saying that the file couldn't be saved due "invalid parameters",

But using "File" menu and then "Save", I can save the file.

Ubuntu Feisty Fawn (7.04).
gnome-media version: 2.18.0-0ubuntu1

Revision history for this message
VLK (valentyn) wrote :

Same problem on my both PCs running Feisty!

** Could not save the file "Invalid parameters" **

Revision history for this message
JakeG (ubuntu-jakeg) wrote :

same exact problem here. My microphone definitely works because it works fine with Skype. The timeline bar is always greyed out. It says its recording and counts the length of the recording in seconds at the bottom, but on stop you realise it hasn't recorded a thing and you get the 'invalid parameters' on save.

Also, on pressing the 'record' button, 'record from input' always changes back to 'capture'.

Jake

Revision history for this message
Amol Karmarkar (amol-karmarkar) wrote :

 Exact same problem here. I tried testing with skype. I have a Inspiron E1505 and the skype test call works perfectly. Please fix this annoying usability bug.

Revision history for this message
Brian Slinger (brian-slinger) wrote :

Using Sound Capture, I can record streaming internet sounds in FLAC and WAV formats and save using "save as". I can play back both satisfactorily. OGG gives a problem in that playback is accelerated to the extent that it is unintelligabe in every player I try. I can play back OGG files of ripped cd music. BTW I have a variant of the fault noted by Amol Karmarkar and JakeG; in my case, it always tries to switch to MIX

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