Hi, I'm trying to play some small wav file in plasma applet (using phonon library). The problem is that the sound is almost always cut (it's played not so long as it should be).

Code: Select all

    m_pSound = Phonon::createPlayer(Phonon::AccessibilityCategory, Phonon::MediaSource(getPathToSample()));
    m_pSound->play();


Does anyone know why is that happening?
Thanks for help.

Which Phonon backend are you using and with which version of KDE? Whilst the Xine backend is recommended, some KDE releases had a bug in it, which caused sounds such as the login sound to be cut off.

It's xine backend and KDE 4.2.2

That version should have the bug fixed in theory. Does the cutting off always happen in the exact same place?

No, but maybe because each time before I play wav file I delete old MediaObject and create new one.

Code: Select all

void PlasmaYdpdict::playSound()
{
    m_pSound = Phonon::createPlayer(Phonon::AccessibilityCategory, Phonon::MediaSource(getPathToSample()));
    connect(m_pSound, SIGNAL(finished()), this, SLOT(playbackFinished()));
    m_pSound->play();
    enablePlayButton(false);
}

void PlasmaYdpdict::playbackFinished()
{
    delete m_pSound;
    m_pSound = NULL;
    enablePlayButton(true);
}


Interesting is that if I connect aboutToFinished slot with playbackFinished method (what is wrong) sample is played correctly, but of course plasma crashes after few times.

It is not needed to delete the Phonon backend after use. You should just call play() when you need to replay the sound. You can also change the media file in use unless it is currently playing, using setCurrentSource().

By exact same place I mean does it always happen at <x seconds from finish of playback>.

There are very short wave files because this is dictionary, so it's hard to say precisely, but the same sample played few times is cut off more less after the same time.
I checked also playing those files in Amarok. Problem is the same, samples are cut off.

This is likely a bug in the Xine backend. Please check to see if you can reproduce with KDE 4.3, or with an alternate backend.

Yes, the same situation happens on KDE 4.3 RC1, in my plasmoid and in amarok.

And another interesting thing (KDE 4.2.2, KDE 4.3 RC1), if wave file is played in amarok alone (nothing more in playlist) is cut off, if there is e.g. mp3 file in the playlist after the wave file, wave is played correctly (full length).

Another thing, finished() function is called "too early", I mean long before playing of wave file finishes.

This is very likely related to the fadeout functions of Phonon, since it plays fine if a file is played after it.

This is getting frustrating. This bug is still not fixed. Sounds are still getting cut off with Xine backend, including when playing them in Amarok. KDE 4.4.1.