Capture

Capture

Provides access to the device's audio, image, and video capture capabilities.

Important privacy note: Collection and use of images, video, or audio from the device's camera or microphone raises important privacy issues. Your app's privacy policy should discuss how the app uses such sensors and whether the data recorded is shared with any other parties. In addition, if the app's use of the camera or microphone is not apparent in the user interface, you should provide a just-in-time notice prior to your app accessing the camera or microphone (if the device operating system doesn't do so already). That notice should provide the same information noted above, as well as obtaining the user's permission (e.g., by presenting choices for "OK" and "No Thanks"). Note that some app marketplaces may require your app to provide just-in-time notice and obtain permission from the user prior to accessing the camera or microphone. For more information, please see the Privacy Guide.

Objects

Methods

Scope

The capture object is assigned to the navigator.device object, and therefore has global scope.

// The global capture object
var capture = navigator.device.capture;

Properties

Methods

Supported Platforms

Permissions

Android

app/res/xml/plugins.xml

<plugin name="Capture" value="org.apache.cordova.Capture"/>

app/AndroidManifest.xml

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

BlackBerry WebWorks

www/plugins.xml

<plugin name="Capture" value="org.apache.cordova.capture.MediaCapture" />

www/config.xml

<feature id="blackberry.system"  required="true" version="1.0.0.0" />
<feature id="blackberry.io.file" required="true" version="1.0.0.0" />

iOS

config.xml

<plugin name="Capture" value="CDVCapture" />

Windows Phone

Properties/WPAppManifest.xml

<Capabilities>
    <Capability Name="ID_CAP_MEDIALIB" />
    <Capability Name="ID_CAP_MICROPHONE" />
    <Capability Name="ID_HW_FRONTCAMERA" />
    <Capability Name="ID_CAP_ISV_CAMERA" />
    <Capability Name="ID_CAP_CAMERA" />
</Capabilities>

capture.captureAudio

Start the audio recorder application and return information about the captured audio clip file(s).

navigator.device.capture.captureAudio(
    CaptureCB captureSuccess, CaptureErrorCB captureError,  [CaptureAudioOptions options]
);

Description

Starts an asynchronous operation to capture audio recordings using the device's default audio recording application. The operation allows the device user to capture multiple recordings in a single session.

The capture operation ends when either the user exits the audio recording application, or the maximum number of recordings specified by CaptureAudioOptions.limit is reached. If no limit parameter value is specified, it defaults to one (1), and the capture operation terminates after the user records a single audio clip.

When the capture operation finishes, the CaptureCallback executes with an array of MediaFile objects describing each captured audio clip file. If the user terminates the operation before an audio clip is captured, the CaptureErrorCallback executes with a CaptureError object, featuring the CaptureError.CAPTURE_NO_MEDIA_FILES error code.

Supported Platforms

Quick Example 

// capture callback
var captureSuccess = function(mediaFiles) {
    var i, path, len;
    for (i = 0, len = mediaFiles.length; i < len; i += 1) {
        path = mediaFiles[i].fullPath;
        // do something interesting with the file
    }
};

// capture error callback
var captureError = function(error) {
    navigator.notification.alert('Error code: ' + error.code, null, 'Capture Error');
};

// start audio capture
navigator.device.capture.captureAudio(captureSuccess, captureError, {limit:2});

Full Example 

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Capture Audio</title>

    <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="cordova-x.x.x.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="json2.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8">

    // Called when capture operation is finished
    //
    function captureSuccess(mediaFiles) {
        var i, len;
        for (i = 0, len = mediaFiles.length; i < len; i += 1) {
            uploadFile(mediaFiles[i]);
        }
    }

    // Called if something bad happens.
    //
    function captureError(error) {
        var msg = 'An error occurred during capture: ' + error.code;
        navigator.notification.alert(msg, null, 'Uh oh!');
    }

    // A button will call this function
    //
    function captureAudio() {
        // Launch device audio recording application,
        // allowing user to capture up to 2 audio clips
        navigator.device.capture.captureAudio(captureSuccess, captureError, {limit: 2});
    }

    // Upload files to server
    function uploadFile(mediaFile) {
        var ft = new FileTransfer(),
            path = mediaFile.fullPath,
            name = mediaFile.name;

        ft.upload(path,
            "http://my.domain.com/upload.php",
            function(result) {
                console.log('Upload success: ' + result.responseCode);
                console.log(result.bytesSent + ' bytes sent');
            },
            function(error) {
                console.log('Error uploading file ' + path + ': ' + error.code);
            },
            { fileName: name });
    }

    </script>
    </head>
    <body>
        <button onclick="captureAudio();">Capture Audio</button> <br>
    </body>
</html>

BlackBerry WebWorks Quirks

iOS Quirks

Windows Phone 7 and 8 Quirks

CaptureAudioOptions

Encapsulates audio capture configuration options.

Properties

Quick Example 

// limit capture operation to 3 media files, no longer than 10 seconds each
var options = { limit: 3, duration: 10 };

navigator.device.capture.captureAudio(captureSuccess, captureError, options);

Android Quirks

BlackBerry WebWorks Quirks

iOS Quirks

capture.captureImage

Start the camera application and return information about captured image file(s).

navigator.device.capture.captureImage(
    CaptureCB captureSuccess, CaptureErrorCB captureError, [CaptureImageOptions options]
);

Description

Starts an asynchronous operation to capture images using the device's camera application. The operation allows users to capture more than one image in a single session.

The capture operation ends either when the user closes the camera application, or the maximum number of recordings specified by CaptureAudioOptions.limit is reached. If no limit value is specified, it defaults to one (1), and the capture operation terminates after the user captures a single image.

When the capture operation finishes, it invokes the CaptureCB callback with an array of MediaFile objects describing each captured image file. If the user terminates the operation before capturing an image, the CaptureErrorCB callback executes with a CaptureError object featuring a CaptureError.CAPTURE_NO_MEDIA_FILES error code.

Supported Platforms

Windows Phone 7 Quirks

Invoking the native camera application while your device is connected via Zune does not work, and the error callback executes.

Quick Example 

// capture callback
var captureSuccess = function(mediaFiles) {
    var i, path, len;
    for (i = 0, len = mediaFiles.length; i < len; i += 1) {
        path = mediaFiles[i].fullPath;
        // do something interesting with the file
    }
};

// capture error callback
var captureError = function(error) {
    navigator.notification.alert('Error code: ' + error.code, null, 'Capture Error');
};

// start image capture
navigator.device.capture.captureImage(captureSuccess, captureError, {limit:2});

Full Example 

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Capture Image</title>

    <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="cordova-x.x.x.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="json2.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8">

    // Called when capture operation is finished
    //
    function captureSuccess(mediaFiles) {
        var i, len;
        for (i = 0, len = mediaFiles.length; i < len; i += 1) {
            uploadFile(mediaFiles[i]);
        }
    }

    // Called if something bad happens.
    //
    function captureError(error) {
        var msg = 'An error occurred during capture: ' + error.code;
        navigator.notification.alert(msg, null, 'Uh oh!');
    }

    // A button will call this function
    //
    function captureImage() {
        // Launch device camera application,
        // allowing user to capture up to 2 images
        navigator.device.capture.captureImage(captureSuccess, captureError, {limit: 2});
    }

    // Upload files to server
    function uploadFile(mediaFile) {
        var ft = new FileTransfer(),
            path = mediaFile.fullPath,
            name = mediaFile.name;

        ft.upload(path,
            "http://my.domain.com/upload.php",
            function(result) {
                console.log('Upload success: ' + result.responseCode);
                console.log(result.bytesSent + ' bytes sent');
            },
            function(error) {
                console.log('Error uploading file ' + path + ': ' + error.code);
            },
            { fileName: name });
    }

    </script>
    </head>
    <body>
        <button onclick="captureImage();">Capture Image</button> <br>
    </body>
</html>

CaptureImageOptions

Encapsulates image capture configuration options.

Properties

Quick Example 

// limit capture operation to 3 images
var options = { limit: 3 };

navigator.device.capture.captureImage(captureSuccess, captureError, options);

iOS Quirks

capture.captureVideo

Start the video recorder application and return information about captured video clip file(s).

navigator.device.capture.captureVideo(
    CaptureCB captureSuccess, CaptureErrorCB captureError, [CaptureVideoOptions options]
);

Description

Starts an asynchronous operation to capture video recordings using the device's video recording application. The operation allows the user to capture more than one recordings in a single session.

The capture operation ends when either the user exits the video recording application, or the maximum number of recordings specified by CaptureVideoOptions.limit is reached. If no limit parameter value is specified, it defaults to one (1), and the capture operation terminates after the user records a single video clip.

When the capture operation finishes, it the CaptureCB callback executes with an array of MediaFile objects describing each captured video clip file. If the user terminates the operation before capturing a video clip, the CaptureErrorCB callback executes with a CaptureError object featuring a CaptureError.CAPTURE_NO_MEDIA_FILES error code.

Supported Platforms

Quick Example 

// capture callback
var captureSuccess = function(mediaFiles) {
    var i, path, len;
    for (i = 0, len = mediaFiles.length; i < len; i += 1) {
        path = mediaFiles[i].fullPath;
        // do something interesting with the file
    }
};

// capture error callback
var captureError = function(error) {
    navigator.notification.alert('Error code: ' + error.code, null, 'Capture Error');
};

// start video capture
navigator.device.capture.captureVideo(captureSuccess, captureError, {limit:2});

Full Example 

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>Capture Video</title>

    <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="cordova-x.x.x.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="json2.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8">

    // Called when capture operation is finished
    //
    function captureSuccess(mediaFiles) {
        var i, len;
        for (i = 0, len = mediaFiles.length; i < len; i += 1) {
            uploadFile(mediaFiles[i]);
        }
    }

    // Called if something bad happens.
    //
    function captureError(error) {
        var msg = 'An error occurred during capture: ' + error.code;
        navigator.notification.alert(msg, null, 'Uh oh!');
    }

    // A button will call this function
    //
    function captureVideo() {
        // Launch device video recording application,
        // allowing user to capture up to 2 video clips
        navigator.device.capture.captureVideo(captureSuccess, captureError, {limit: 2});
    }

    // Upload files to server
    function uploadFile(mediaFile) {
        var ft = new FileTransfer(),
            path = mediaFile.fullPath,
            name = mediaFile.name;

        ft.upload(path,
            "http://my.domain.com/upload.php",
            function(result) {
                console.log('Upload success: ' + result.responseCode);
                console.log(result.bytesSent + ' bytes sent');
            },
            function(error) {
                console.log('Error uploading file ' + path + ': ' + error.code);
            },
            { fileName: name });
    }

    </script>
    </head>
    <body>
        <button onclick="captureVideo();">Capture Video</button> <br>
    </body>
</html>

BlackBerry WebWorks Quirks

CaptureVideoOptions

Encapsulates video capture configuration options.

Properties

Quick Example 

// limit capture operation to 3 video clips
var options = { limit: 3 };

navigator.device.capture.captureVideo(captureSuccess, captureError, options);

BlackBerry WebWorks Quirks

iOS Quirks

CaptureError

Encapsulates the error code resulting from a failed media capture operation.

Properties

Constants

CaptureCB

Invoked upon a successful media capture operation.

function captureSuccess( MediaFile[] mediaFiles ) { ... };

Description

This function executes after a successful capture operation completes. At this point a media file has been captured, and either the user has exited the media capture application, or the capture limit has been reached.

Each MediaFile object describes a captured media file.

Quick Example 

// capture callback
function captureSuccess(mediaFiles) {
    var i, path, len;
    for (i = 0, len = mediaFiles.length; i < len; i += 1) {
        path = mediaFiles[i].fullPath;
        // do something interesting with the file
    }
};

CaptureErrorCB

Invoked if an error occurs during a media capture operation.

function captureError( CaptureError error ) { ... };

Description

This function executes if an error occurs when trying to launch a media capture operation. Failure scenarios include when the capture application is busy, a capture operation is already taking place, or the user cancels the operation before any media files are captured.

This function executes with a CaptureError object containing an appropriate error code.

Quick Example 

// capture error callback
var captureError = function(error) {
    navigator.notification.alert('Error code: ' + error.code, null, 'Capture Error');
};

ConfigurationData

Encapsulates a set of media capture parameters that a device supports.

Description

Describes media capture modes supported by the device. The configuration data includes the MIME type, and capture dimensions for video or image capture.

The MIME types should adhere to RFC2046. Examples:

Properties

Quick Example 

// retrieve supported image modes
var imageModes = navigator.device.capture.supportedImageModes;

// Select mode that has the highest horizontal resolution
var width = 0;
var selectedmode;
for each (var mode in imageModes) {
    if (mode.width > width) {
        width = mode.width;
        selectedmode = mode;
    }
}

Not supported by any platform. All configuration data arrays are empty.

MediaFile

Encapsulates properties of a media capture file.

Properties

Methods

MediaFile.getFormatData

Retrieves format information about the media capture file.

mediaFile.getFormatData(
    MediaFileDataSuccessCB successCallback,
    [MediaFileDataErrorCB errorCallback]
);

Description

This function asynchronously attempts to retrieve the format information for the media file. If successful, it invokes the MediaFileDataSuccessCB callback with a MediaFileData object. If the attempt fails, this function invokes the MediaFileDataErrorCB callback.

Supported Platforms

BlackBerry WebWorks Quirks

Does not provide an API for information about media files, so all MediaFileData objects return with default values.

Android Quirks

The API to access media file format information is limited, so not all MediaFileData properties are supported.

iOS Quirks

The API to access media file format information is limited, so not all MediaFileData properties are supported.

MediaFileData

Encapsulates format information about a media file.

Properties

BlackBerry WebWorks Quirks

No API provides format information for media files, so the MediaFileData object returned by MediaFile.getFormatData features the following default values:

Android Quirks

Supports the following MediaFileData properties:

iOS Quirks

Supports the following MediaFileData properties: