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" />

score 13 · Answer 1 · edited Mar 27 '23 at 21:38

13

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 AndroidManifest.xml

edited Mar 27 '23 at 21:38

Ryan M

18,333
31
67
74

answered Mar 03 '11 at 05:58

DJC

3,243
3
27
31

1

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

score 7 · Answer 2 · edited Mar 27 '23 at 21:37

7

IllegalstateException is thrown when the MediaRecorder.prepare method is not called, or called after MediaRecorder.start, or called before configuring audio/video sources, format and encoders.

The correct order of configuration mentioned in camera developer guide in the Android documentation:

camera unlock
control of camera to media recorder -> setCamera
set audio/video source, format,encoder
prepare
start

edited Mar 27 '23 at 21:37

Ryan M

18,333
31
67
74

answered Apr 19 '12 at 13:36

user1302884

783
1
8
16

1

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

Linked

Related