Why does the start() method of MediaRecorder throw an IllegalStateException?

Question

I am trying to record audio but the start() method of MediaRecorder class throws an IllegalStateException. I use the following code:

MediaRecorder recorder = new MediaRecorder();
recorder.setAudioSource(MediaRecorder.AudioSource.MIC);
recorder.setOutputFormat(MediaRecorder.OutputFormat.THREE_GPP);
recorder.setAudioEncoder(MediaRecorder.AudioEncoder.AMR_NB);
recorder.setOutputFile("/sdcard/");
try {
    recorder.prepare();
} catch (IllegalStateException e) {

// TODO Auto-generated catch block
    e.printStackTrace();
} catch (IOException e) {
    // TODO Auto-generated catch block
    e.printStackTrace();
}
Log.i("Try","Exception");
recorder.start();

And following permission

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO" />

vijay, please paste in a stack trace. – DJC Mar 03 '11 at 05:45 — DJC, Mar 03 '11 at 05:45

score 13 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 03 '11 at 05:58

13

Vijay, recorder.setOutputFile("/sdcard/"); is setting a directory, not a file. Replace that with:

mFileName = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().getAbsolutePath();
mFileName += "/youraudiofile.3gp";

Using "/sdcard" hard codes a path which is fragile, so use the above

Also, for this to work you must add

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

to your AndroidManifext.xml

answered Mar 03 '11 at 05:58

DJC

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`WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE` permission solved my problem . Thank you DJC. – Eray Jun 11 '13 at 14:14

score 7 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 19 '12 at 15:22

7

It may be helpful for some one in future. IllegalstateException is thrown when the MediaRecorder. Prepare method is not called or called after Mediarecorder.start or before configuring audio/video sources,format and encoders. The correct order of configuration mentioned in camera developer guide on android documentation

camera unlock

control of camera to media recorder -> setCamera

set audio/video source, format,encoder

prepare

start

edited Apr 19 '12 at 15:22

user unknown

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answered Apr 19 '12 at 13:36

user1302884

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This is the only thing that worked for me. Changing the order of format and encoder made it work. The order is source, format, encoder. Thanks!! – Prashanth Mar 30 '17 at 19:10

Why does the start() method of MediaRecorder throw an IllegalStateException?

2 Answers2

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