Difference between revisions of "Application:Precorder"

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|name=Precorder
 
|name=Precorder
 
|type=webOS
 
|type=webOS
−
|version=Version: Alpha 0.3.3 <br />(26 Nov 2009)
+
|version=Version: Alpha 0.5.8 <br />(29 Apr 2010)
 
|tag=Utilities
 
|tag=Utilities
−
|screenshot=Precorder_2009-01-12_141733.png
+
|screenshot=Precorder_2010-29-04_210711.png
 
|description=
 
|description=
  
 
== Summary ==  
 
== Summary ==  
  
−
Precorder has been developed to bridge the gap between the current revision of WebOS and a future release that will enable video recording.  It is capable of recording in multiple combinations of audio and video and includes support for using the built-in LED for lumination while recording in dark areas.  Video recorded with Precorder is viewable through Palms built in video application.
+
'''''Note: This application is no longer available and has been replaced by [[Application:Zcorder|zcorder]]'''''
  
−
== Status ==
+
Precorder is the next generation audio recording app in development by WebOS Internals. Currently, it allows for audio capture from the built in microphone as well as through the headset. It also features a "media capture" mode, which can record virtually any audio stream that is currently playing (except for phone calls). Future plans include bluetooth support, timer, ability to record calls, visualizations, and possibly a voice activation mode.
  
−
Precorder is ALPHA SOFTWARE developed primarily by ZSoc of WebOS Internals with assistance from a number of other developers (as listed in the Maintainers field in the package metadata).
+
Precorder uses the pulsesrc plugin directly through a gstreamer pipeline, so in theory it allows for more flexability in the future such as variable controls for stream and bitrate, and various plugins for mp3. Because it uses a C based service, there is only one package to install, which can also be uninstalled with the Orange+Tap method.  
  
−
It does not have a viewfinder, cause we technically do not know how to do that (yet?).
+
== Status ==
  
−
== Recent Changes ==
+
Precorder has been replaced by [[Application:Zcorder|zcorder]]
  
−
Even though Precorder in alpha state is not available for download in Preware (it will be when it goes into beta), once you install Precorder it appears in the Installed Packages section and you can see the package changelogs there.
+
Precorder is ALPHA SOFTWARE developed primarily by ZSoc & PuffTheMagic of WebOS Internals with assistance from a number of other developers (as listed in the Maintainers field in the package metadata). Thus, it is only available through the WebOS Internals testing feed.
  
 
== Donations ==
 
== Donations ==
Line 29: Line 29:
 
Note that you cannot install the packages using any other method than the methods below.  Specifically, fileCoaster is not able to install these packages.
 
Note that you cannot install the packages using any other method than the methods below.  Specifically, fileCoaster is not able to install these packages.
  
−
=== Preware ===
+
=== Installation ===
  
−
Precorder will be added to Preware once it reaches beta status.  Until then, please use the Precorder bootstrap script.
+
Precorder will be added to the main WebOS Internals feed in Preware once it reaches beta status.  Until then, please install Precorder from Preware/WOSQI using the testing feed. See http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/Application:Preware#Adding_Custom_Feeds for more information on how to do add the testing feed to Preware.
  
−
=== Bootstrap Script ===
+
== License ==
  
−
The easiest (and guaranteed to always be up to date) method of installing the latest packages via the precorder bootstrap script.
+
The GStreamer Service package is MIT Open Source licensed.  The Precorder application is GPLv2 Open Source licensed.
  
−
Just run the following commands on your Pre.  You can get a command line either via the Terminal application in Preware, or by an SSH connection, or by using the Linux commandline window in WebOS Quick Install.  The precorder bootstrap can also be re-run at any time to safely update Precorder to the latest alpha testing version.
+
== Operating notes ==
−
 
 
−
<br>
 
−
mount -o remount,rw /<br>
 
−
rm -f precorder-bootstrap
 
−
<br>
 
−
wget http://bit.ly/precorder-bootstrap
 
−
<br>
 
−
sh precorder-bootstrap
 
−
 
 
−
=== WebOS Quick Install ===
 
−
 
 
−
If you can't use the precorder bootstrap script for some reason, you can also use the following links to download the individual packages and install them with WebOS Quick Install.  Note that these links will quickly get out of date, so please use the precorder bootstrap to always get the latest alpha testing version.
 
−
 
 
−
Note that to be able to use WebOS Quick Install to install Precorder, you must first have installed Preware on your device.  See http://install.preware.org for instructions on how to do that.  When Precorder reaches beta status, you will be able to install, update and remove the packages directly in Preware.
 
−
 
 
−
You can install the GstService ([http://ipkg.preware.org/feeds/webos-internals/testing/armv7/org.webosinternals.gstservice_0.3.3_armv7.ipk Pre] or [http://ipkg.preware.org/feeds/webos-internals/testing/armv6/org.webosinternals.gstservice_0.3.0_armv6.ipk Pixi]) and [http://ipkg.preware.org/feeds/webos-internals/testing/all/org.webosinternals.precorder_0.3.3_all.ipk Precorder] ipkg files with [http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/Tutorials_webOS_Installing_An_Ipk#WebOS_Quick_Install_Method WebOS Quick Install]. (Note that these links may be out of date if we forget to update them every time we release a new version)
 
−
 
 
−
# Save the gstservice and and Precorder ipk's to your local computer.
 
−
# Install [[Tutorials_webOS_Installing_An_Ipk#WebOS_Quick_Install_Method|WebOS Quick Install]]
 
−
# Drag the gstservice IPK into the center of the WebOS Quick install window.
 
−
# Click the Install button.
 
−
# Drag the Precorder application ipk into the center of the WebOS Quick Install window.
 
−
# Click the install button.
 
  
−
== License ==
+
When precorder is first launched you will see the main screen. Precorder will default to the Microphone mode. Tap the Record button to start recording audio. Once you have finished capturing, hit the Stop button. There might be a slight wait before you can hit Record again.
  
−
The GStreamer Service package is MIT Open Source licensed. The Precorder application is GPLv2 Open Source licensed.
+
Tap the Media Capture button to record currently playing audio. Note that some apps (Video, Youtube, etc) will stop playing if the card is minimized. To capture audio from these sources, you must start the recording in Precorder then switch to the other app and start playback. Precorder will wait until there is audio output before starting the capture.
  
−
== Operating notes ==
+
All audio recordings are stored in /media/internal/recordings in mp3 format. They should be playable through the stock music player and the remix player.
  
−
When precorder is first launched you will see the main screen.  Only one button is currently functional.  Tapping the 'Record Now' button will begin recording video to the /media/internal location on the pre making these videos available to be copied via USB.  They will be located in the root of the USB drive when connected to your computer.
 
−
=== Viewfinder ===
 
−
Note that you are not able to see the video as it is recording. There is no viewfinder.  It is currently technically infeasible to create a viewfinder (but maybe someone will work out how to do it). (For a description of why it is technically infeasible, and to make suggestions, ask questions, please see [http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/Application_talk:Precorder#Viewfinder_discussion this section in the discussion page].)
 
−
=== Controls ===
 
−
When you tap the 'Record Now' button the screen will change to notify you that Precorder is currently capturing audio and video.  There is a 'Stop recording' button located on the screen.  Tapping this button stops the audio/video capture and returns you to the main view.
 
 
=== Customization ===
 
=== Customization ===
 
There are several features of Precorder that can be customized.  All of these settings are available via the preferences option within the Precorder menu.  The table below lists all possible preferences.  Options in bold represent defaults.
 
There are several features of Precorder that can be customized.  All of these settings are available via the preferences option within the Precorder menu.  The table below lists all possible preferences.  Options in bold represent defaults.
Line 82: Line 54:
 
{{!}}Possible Selections
 
{{!}}Possible Selections
 
{{!}}-
 
{{!}}-
−
{{!}}Audio Format
+
{{!}}Stream Rate
−
{{!}}Select what format you would like the audio stream to be saved in.
+
{{!}}Select what rate you would like Precorder to record in. Anything larger than 16000 may not work.
−
{{!}}'''AAC''', AMRNB, MP3
+
{{!}}8000,11025,12000,'''16000''',22050
−
{{!}}-
 
−
{{!}}Video Format
 
−
{{!}}Select what format you would like the video stream to be saved in.
 
−
{{!}}Mpeg-4, H.263, '''H.264/AVC'''
 
 
{{!}}-
 
{{!}}-
−
{{!}}Container
+
{{!}}Bitrate
−
{{!}}Select what multimedia container the audio/video streams will be in.
+
{{!}}Select the bitrate that the audio should be encoded in. This will determine the size of the audio file, with larger bitrates corresponding to better quality and larger filesizes.
−
{{!}}'''mp4''', 3gp
+
{{!}}64,'''96''',128
 
{{!}}-
 
{{!}}-
−
{{!}}Media Source
+
{{!}}Quality
−
{{!}}What would you like Precorder to capture?
+
{{!}}Adjust the quality of the audio stream. May affect encoding speed.
−
{{!}}Audio only, Video only, '''Both'''
+
{{!}}Best,'''Medium''',Worst
 
{{!}}-
 
{{!}}-
−
{{!}}Flash
 
−
{{!}}Would you like to use the built in LED for illumination?
 
−
{{!}}'''Off''', Low, Medium, High
 
 
{{!}}}
 
{{!}}}
 
</TD></TR></Table>
 
</TD></TR></Table>
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=== Recent enhancements ===
 
=== Recent enhancements ===
  
−
'''0.3.3'''
+
The Precorder changelog can either be viewed through the WebOS Internals git (http://git.webos-internals.org) or in the Precorder package description in Preware. Changelog is also duplicated below, although it may be out of date.
−
*Video player launch button now changes to "Play Last Recorded" after recording a video
 
−
*Killswitch on card close should avoid most crashing issues
 
−
*Minor bug fixes
 
  
 +
'''0.5.9'''
 +
*All flows should be free of bugs.
 +
*Beta service test.
  
−
'''0.3.0'''
+
'''0.5.8'''  
−
*LED brightness now selectable
+
*New icons.
−
*Launch button added to launch video player
+
*Fixed timer position issues.
−
*Videos now are saved in /media/internal/video
+
*Fixed upgrade problems.
  
 +
'''0.5.7'''
 +
*Fixed Play button method so everything stops breaking
 +
 +
'''0.5.6'''
 +
*Play button works. Stability fixes
 +
 +
'''0.5.5'''
 +
*Minor UI overhaul.
 +
 +
'''0.5.4'''
 +
*Added real time position timer.
 +
*Tidyed up backend service methods.
 +
 +
'''0.5.3'''
 +
*Fixed an issue with restarting the Pre with precorder installed.
 +
*Fixed an issue where hitting stop twice could bring up an error.
 +
 +
'''0.5.2'''
 +
*Fixed stereo/mono problems.
 +
*Error handling is now.. handled.
 +
 +
'''0.5.0'''
 +
*Should function. Pre-Alpha testing purposes only.
  
−
'''0.2.3'''
 
−
*fixed css bug (correctly pushing the record button to the bottom of the screen)
 
−
*added icon for launcher
 
  
 
=== Known bugs ===
 
=== Known bugs ===
Line 126: Line 111:
 
Precorder is currently in Alpha stages and as such is in a constant state of flux with new features being added and old functionality being modified.  Please use this software at your own risk.  Due to the alpha nature of the software, please check the discussion page for a more accurate list of bugs and/or feature requests.
 
Precorder is currently in Alpha stages and as such is in a constant state of flux with new features being added and old functionality being modified.  Please use this software at your own risk.  Due to the alpha nature of the software, please check the discussion page for a more accurate list of bugs and/or feature requests.
  
−
*First run on any phone will cause a blank output.
+
*You may have issues recording from videos. Currently, it may take up to 30 seconds to encode the audio when doing a media capture from video.
−
**Simply start recording, wait a moment, and stop recording, wait a moment. After that, it should be fine.
+
*May not work on the Pixi.
−
 
+
*Precorder may not update properly if the application is open during the update. Reinstall to fix this problem.
−
*Getting the video light to work may cause 2 starts. Should be a 1-time-only process.
 
−
*2 minute limitation of recording. Once the video hits 2 minutes, the video data is lost and outputs a blank file.
 
  
 
== Source Code ==
 
== Source Code ==
Line 140: Line 123:
 
== Screenshots ==
 
== Screenshots ==
  
−
[[Image:Precorder 2009-01-12 141733.png‎|alt=Precorder Main View|This is the initial view upon launching Precorder]]
+
[[Image:Precorder_2010-29-04_210803.png‎|alt=Precorder Main View|This is the initial view upon launching Precorder]]
−
[[Image:Precorder 2009-01-12 141738.png|alt=Precorder Recording View|This is the display during audio/video capture]]
+
[[Image:Precorder_2010-22-04_193452.png|alt=Precorder Main View|This is the preferences screen for Precorder]]
−
[[Image:Precorder_2009-01-12_141805.png|alt=Precorder Preferences View|This is the preferences selection screen]]
 
−
[[Image:Precorder_2009-01-12_141742.png|alt=Precorder Finished Recording View|Button at top now allow opening the recorded file directly]]
 
−
[[Image:Launcher_2009-24-11_164206.png|alt=Palm OEM video app|All videos are viewable on the device via the Palm OEM video application]]
 
  
 
}}
 
}}

Latest revision as of 20:57, 18 August 2010

« Go Back to the Utilities application list
Precorder 2010-29-04 210711.png

Precorder - Version: Alpha 0.5.8
(29 Apr 2010)

Summary

Note: This application is no longer available and has been replaced by zcorder

Precorder is the next generation audio recording app in development by WebOS Internals. Currently, it allows for audio capture from the built in microphone as well as through the headset. It also features a "media capture" mode, which can record virtually any audio stream that is currently playing (except for phone calls). Future plans include bluetooth support, timer, ability to record calls, visualizations, and possibly a voice activation mode.

Precorder uses the pulsesrc plugin directly through a gstreamer pipeline, so in theory it allows for more flexability in the future such as variable controls for stream and bitrate, and various plugins for mp3. Because it uses a C based service, there is only one package to install, which can also be uninstalled with the Orange+Tap method.

Status

Precorder has been replaced by zcorder

Precorder is ALPHA SOFTWARE developed primarily by ZSoc & PuffTheMagic of WebOS Internals with assistance from a number of other developers (as listed in the Maintainers field in the package metadata). Thus, it is only available through the WebOS Internals testing feed.

Donations

Please see the official PreCentral thread first post at http://forums.precentral.net/2059462-post1.html for the donation link. Since this is a wiki that anyone can edit, we do not put the donation link here.

Installation

Note that you cannot install the packages using any other method than the methods below. Specifically, fileCoaster is not able to install these packages.

Installation

Precorder will be added to the main WebOS Internals feed in Preware once it reaches beta status. Until then, please install Precorder from Preware/WOSQI using the testing feed. See http://www.webos-internals.org/wiki/Application:Preware#Adding_Custom_Feeds for more information on how to do add the testing feed to Preware.

License

The GStreamer Service package is MIT Open Source licensed. The Precorder application is GPLv2 Open Source licensed.

Operating notes

When precorder is first launched you will see the main screen. Precorder will default to the Microphone mode. Tap the Record button to start recording audio. Once you have finished capturing, hit the Stop button. There might be a slight wait before you can hit Record again.

Tap the Media Capture button to record currently playing audio. Note that some apps (Video, Youtube, etc) will stop playing if the card is minimized. To capture audio from these sources, you must start the recording in Precorder then switch to the other app and start playback. Precorder will wait until there is audio output before starting the capture.

All audio recordings are stored in /media/internal/recordings in mp3 format. They should be playable through the stock music player and the remix player.

Customization

There are several features of Precorder that can be customized. All of these settings are available via the preferences option within the Precorder menu. The table below lists all possible preferences. Options in bold represent defaults.

Option Description Possible Selections
Stream Rate Select what rate you would like Precorder to record in. Anything larger than 16000 may not work. 8000,11025,12000,16000,22050
Bitrate Select the bitrate that the audio should be encoded in. This will determine the size of the audio file, with larger bitrates corresponding to better quality and larger filesizes. 64,96,128
Quality Adjust the quality of the audio stream. May affect encoding speed. Best,Medium,Worst

Recent enhancements

The Precorder changelog can either be viewed through the WebOS Internals git (http://git.webos-internals.org) or in the Precorder package description in Preware. Changelog is also duplicated below, although it may be out of date.

0.5.9

  • All flows should be free of bugs.
  • Beta service test.

0.5.8

  • New icons.
  • Fixed timer position issues.
  • Fixed upgrade problems.

0.5.7

  • Fixed Play button method so everything stops breaking

0.5.6

  • Play button works. Stability fixes

0.5.5

  • Minor UI overhaul.

0.5.4

  • Added real time position timer.
  • Tidyed up backend service methods.

0.5.3

  • Fixed an issue with restarting the Pre with precorder installed.
  • Fixed an issue where hitting stop twice could bring up an error.

0.5.2

  • Fixed stereo/mono problems.
  • Error handling is now.. handled.

0.5.0

  • Should function. Pre-Alpha testing purposes only.


Known bugs

Precorder is currently in Alpha stages and as such is in a constant state of flux with new features being added and old functionality being modified. Please use this software at your own risk. Due to the alpha nature of the software, please check the discussion page for a more accurate list of bugs and/or feature requests.

  • You may have issues recording from videos. Currently, it may take up to 30 seconds to encode the audio when doing a media capture from video.
  • May not work on the Pixi.
  • Precorder may not update properly if the application is open during the update. Reinstall to fix this problem.

Source Code

Source at git.webos-internals.org

Packages in the webos-internals testing feed

Screenshots

Precorder Main View Precorder Main View

Retrieved from "http://wiki.webos-internals.org/index.php?title=Application:Precorder&oldid=10889"