reverting error patch before making a branch.BRANCH-ERROR-ROOTBRANCH-ERROR

Original commit message from CVS:
reverting error patch before making a branch.

17 files changed, 269 insertions, 379 deletions

diff --git a/ext/alsa/gstalsa.c b/ext/alsa/gstalsa.c
index f4c6b996f..1ec8e04a4 100644
--- a/ext/alsa/gstalsa.c
+++ b/ext/alsa/gstalsa.c
@@ -708,9 +708,7 @@ sink_restart:
 	}
         /* caps nego failed somewhere */
         if (this->format == NULL) {
-          gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (this), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-            g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-            g_strdup_printf("alsasink: No caps available"));
+          gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (this), "alsasink: No caps available");
           return;
         }
         samplestamp = gst_alsa_timestamp_to_samples (this, GST_BUFFER_TIMESTAMP (sink->buf[i]));
@@ -1087,9 +1085,7 @@ gst_alsa_src_loop (GstElement *element)
   /* set the caps on all pads */
   if (!this->format) {
     if (!gst_alsa_src_set_caps (src, FALSE)) {
-      gst_element_gerror(element, GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-        g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-        g_strdup_printf("Could not set caps"));
+      gst_element_error (element, "Could not set caps");
       return;
     }
     /* get the bufferpool going */
@@ -1536,9 +1532,7 @@ gst_alsa_link (GstPad *pad, GstCaps *caps)
 	    GstCaps *old = gst_alsa_caps (this->format->format, this->format->rate, this->format->channels);
 	    for (--i; i >= 0; i--) {
               if (gst_pad_try_set_caps (this->pad[i], gst_caps_ref (old)) == GST_PAD_LINK_REFUSED) {
-	        gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (this), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-	          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-	          g_strdup_printf("error resetting caps to sane value"));
+	        gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (this), "error resetting caps to sane value");
 	        gst_caps_unref (old);
                 break;
 	      }
@@ -1559,9 +1553,7 @@ gst_alsa_link (GstPad *pad, GstCaps *caps)
       g_free (this->format);
       this->format = format;
       if (!gst_alsa_start_audio (this)) {
-        gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (this), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-          g_strdup_printf("Probed format doesn't work"));
+        gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (this), "Probed format doesn't work");
         return GST_PAD_LINK_REFUSED;
       }
     }
@@ -1878,9 +1870,7 @@ gst_alsa_xrun_recovery (GstAlsa *this)
   }
 
   if (!(gst_alsa_stop_audio (this) && gst_alsa_start_audio (this))) {
-    gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (this), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-      g_strdup_printf("alsasink: Error restarting audio after xrun"));
+    gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (this), "alsasink: Error restarting audio after xrun");
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/ext/gnomevfs/gstgnomevfssink.c b/ext/gnomevfs/gstgnomevfssink.c
index 176321839..53c5a513b 100644
--- a/ext/gnomevfs/gstgnomevfssink.c
+++ b/ext/gnomevfs/gstgnomevfssink.c
@@ -250,9 +250,7 @@ gst_gnomevfssink_open_file (GstGnomeVFSSink *sink)
   /* create the GnomeVFSURI from the url */
   sink->uri = gnome_vfs_uri_new(sink->filename);
   if (!sink->uri) {
-    gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (sink), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-      g_strdup_printf("opening file \"%s\" (%s)", sink->filename, strerror (errno)));
+    gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (sink), "opening file \"%s\" (%s)", sink->filename, strerror (errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -268,9 +266,7 @@ gst_gnomevfssink_open_file (GstGnomeVFSSink *sink)
           gst_gnomevfssink_signals[SIGNAL_ERASE_ASK], 0,
           sink->erase);
     }
-    gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (sink), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-      g_strdup_printf("opening file \"%s\" (%s)", sink->filename, strerror (errno)));
+    gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (sink), "opening file \"%s\" (%s)", sink->filename, strerror (errno));
     return FALSE;
   } 
 
@@ -295,9 +291,7 @@ gst_gnomevfssink_close_file (GstGnomeVFSSink *sink)
 
   if (result != GNOME_VFS_OK)
   {
-    gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (sink), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-      g_strdup_printf("closing file \"%s\" (%s)", sink->filename, strerror (errno)));
+    gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (sink), "closing file \"%s\" (%s)", sink->filename, strerror (errno));
   }
   else {
     GST_FLAG_UNSET (sink, GST_GNOMEVFSSINK_OPEN);
diff --git a/ext/gnomevfs/gstgnomevfssrc.c b/ext/gnomevfs/gstgnomevfssrc.c
index 15cefbb97..92861563a 100644
--- a/ext/gnomevfs/gstgnomevfssrc.c
+++ b/ext/gnomevfs/gstgnomevfssrc.c
@@ -510,11 +510,10 @@ static int audiocast_init(GstGnomeVFSSrc *src)
 		char *escaped;
 
 		escaped = gnome_vfs_unescape_string_for_display (src->filename);
-		gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT(src), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-		  g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-		  g_strdup_printf("opening vfs file \"%s\" (%s)",
+		gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(src),
+				  "opening vfs file \"%s\" (%s)",
 				  escaped,
-				  "unable to register UDP port"));
+				  "unable to register UDP port");
 		g_free (escaped);
 		close(src->audiocast_fd);
 		return FALSE;
@@ -533,11 +532,10 @@ static int audiocast_init(GstGnomeVFSSrc *src)
 	if (error != NULL) {
 		char *escaped;
 		escaped = gnome_vfs_unescape_string_for_display (src->filename);
-		gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT(src), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-		  g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-		  g_strdup_printf("opening vfs file \"%s\" (unable to create thread: %s)",
+		gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(src),
+				  "opening vfs file \"%s\" (unable to create thread: %s)",
 				  escaped,
-				  error->message));
+				  error->message);
 		g_free (escaped);
 		close(src->audiocast_fd);
 		return FALSE;
@@ -1043,9 +1041,8 @@ static gboolean gst_gnomevfssrc_open_file(GstGnomeVFSSrc *src)
 	/* create the uri */
 	src->uri = gnome_vfs_uri_new(src->filename);
 	if (!src->uri) {
-		gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT(src), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-		  g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-		  g_strdup_printf("error crerating uri \"%s\" (%s)", src->filename, strerror (errno)));
+		gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(src), "creating uri \"%s\" (%s)",
+				  src->filename, strerror (errno));
 		return FALSE;
 	}
 
@@ -1064,11 +1061,10 @@ static gboolean gst_gnomevfssrc_open_file(GstGnomeVFSSrc *src)
 		audiocast_thread_kill(src);
 
 		escaped = gnome_vfs_unescape_string_for_display (src->filename);
-		gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT(src), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-		  g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-		  g_strdup_printf("opening vfs file \"%s\" (%s)",
+		gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(src),
+				  "opening vfs file \"%s\" (%s)",
 				  escaped,
-				  gnome_vfs_result_to_string(result)));
+				  gnome_vfs_result_to_string(result));
 		g_free (escaped);
 		return FALSE;
 	}
diff --git a/ext/vorbis/vorbisenc.c b/ext/vorbis/vorbisenc.c
index 2057f8727..9675482ad 100644
--- a/ext/vorbis/vorbisenc.c
+++ b/ext/vorbis/vorbisenc.c
@@ -699,9 +699,7 @@ gst_vorbisenc_chain (GstPad * pad, GstBuffer * buf)
 
     if (!vorbisenc->setup) {
       gst_buffer_unref (buf);
-      gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (vorbisenc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-        g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-        g_strdup_printf("encoder not initialized (input is not audio?)"));
+      gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (vorbisenc), "encoder not initialized (input is not audio?)");
       return;
     }
 
diff --git a/ext/vorbis/vorbisfile.c b/ext/vorbis/vorbisfile.c
index e09880c9a..8fe480e6e 100644
--- a/ext/vorbis/vorbisfile.c
+++ b/ext/vorbis/vorbisfile.c
@@ -508,9 +508,7 @@ gst_vorbisfile_loop (GstElement *element)
     /* open our custom vorbisfile data object with the callbacks we provide */
     if (ov_open_callbacks (vorbisfile, &vorbisfile->vf, NULL, 0, 
 			   vorbisfile_ov_callbacks) < 0) {
-      gst_element_gerror(element, GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-        g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-        g_strdup_printf("this is not a vorbis file"));
+      gst_element_error (element, "this is not a vorbis file");
       return;
     }
     vorbisfile->need_discont = TRUE;
diff --git a/gst/adder/gstadder.c b/gst/adder/gstadder.c
index 2597bf3a2..60f174131 100644
--- a/gst/adder/gstadder.c
+++ b/gst/adder/gstadder.c
@@ -149,38 +149,29 @@ gst_adder_parse_caps (GstAdder *adder, GstCaps *caps)
 
       /* provide an error message if we can't link */
       if (adder->format != GST_ADDER_FORMAT_INT) {
-        gst_element_gerror(el, GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-          g_strdup_printf("can't link a non-int pad to an int adder"));
+        gst_element_error (el, "can't link a non-int pad to an int adder");
         return FALSE;
       }
       if (adder->channels != channels) {
-        gst_element_gerror(el, GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-          g_strdup_printf( "can't link %d-channel pad with %d-channel adder",
-                           channels, adder->channels));
+        gst_element_error (el,
+                           "can't link %d-channel pad with %d-channel adder",
+                           channels, adder->channels);
        return FALSE;
       }
       if (adder->rate != rate) {
-        gst_element_gerror(el, GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-          g_strdup_printf ("can't link %d Hz pad with %d Hz adder", 
-                           rate, adder->rate));
+        gst_element_error (el, "can't link %d Hz pad with %d Hz adder",
+                           rate, adder->rate);
        return FALSE;
       }
       if (adder->width != width) {
-        gst_element_gerror(el, GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-          g_strdup_printf ("can't link %d-bit pad with %d-bit adder",
-                           width, adder->width));
+        gst_element_error (el, "can't link %d-bit pad with %d-bit adder",
+                           width, adder->width);
        return FALSE;
       }
       if (adder->is_signed != is_signed) {
-        gst_element_gerror(el, GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-          g_strdup_printf ("can't link %ssigned pad with %ssigned adder",
+        gst_element_error (el, "can't link %ssigned pad with %ssigned adder",
                            adder->is_signed ? "" : "un",
-                           is_signed ? "" : "un"));
+                           is_signed ? "" : "un");
        return FALSE;
       }
     } else if (strcmp (mimetype, "audio/x-raw-float") == 0) {
@@ -191,30 +182,23 @@ gst_adder_parse_caps (GstAdder *adder, GstCaps *caps)
       gst_caps_get_int (caps, "rate",      &rate);
 
       if (adder->format != GST_ADDER_FORMAT_FLOAT) {
-        gst_element_gerror(el, GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-          g_strdup_printf("can't link a non-float pad to a float adder"));
+        gst_element_error (el, "can't link a non-float pad to a float adder");
         return FALSE;
       }
       if (adder->channels != channels) {
-        gst_element_gerror(el, GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-          g_strdup_printf ("can't link %d-channel pad with %d-channel adder",
-                           channels, adder->channels));
+        gst_element_error (el,
+                           "can't link %d-channel pad with %d-channel adder",
+                           channels, adder->channels);
         return FALSE;
       }
       if (adder->rate != rate) {
-        gst_element_gerror(el, GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-          g_strdup_printf( "can't link %d Hz pad with %d Hz adder",
-                           rate, adder->rate));
+        gst_element_error (el, "can't link %d Hz pad with %d Hz adder",
+                           rate, adder->rate);
         return FALSE;
       }
       if (adder->width != width) {
-        gst_element_gerror(el, GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-          g_strdup_printf( "can't link %d bit float pad with %d bit adder",
-                           width, adder->width));
+        gst_element_error (el, "can't link %d bit float pad with %d bit adder",
+                           width, adder->width);
         return FALSE;
       }
     }
@@ -423,9 +407,7 @@ gst_adder_loop (GstElement *element)
   buf_out = gst_buffer_new_from_pool (adder->bufpool, 0, 0);
 
   if (buf_out == NULL) {
-    gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (adder), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-      g_strdup_printf("could not get new output buffer"));
+    gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (adder), "could not get new output buffer");
     return;
   }
 
@@ -513,10 +495,9 @@ gst_adder_loop (GstElement *element)
           for (i = 0; i < GST_BUFFER_SIZE (buf_out); i++)
             out[i] = CLAMP(out[i] + in[i], 0x80, 0x7f);
         } else {
-          gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (adder), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-            g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-            g_strdup_printf ("invalid width (%u) for integer audio in gstadder",
-			     adder->width));
+          gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (adder),
+		     "invalid width (%u) for integer audio in gstadder",
+		     adder->width);
 	  return;
         }
       } else if (adder->format == GST_ADDER_FORMAT_FLOAT) {
@@ -531,17 +512,15 @@ gst_adder_loop (GstElement *element)
           for (i = 0; i < GST_BUFFER_SIZE (buf_out) / sizeof (gfloat); i++)
             out[i] = CLAMP(out[i] + in[i], -1.0, 1.0);
         } else {
-          gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (adder), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-            g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-            g_strdup_printf ("invalid width (%u) for float audio in gstadder",
-                             adder->width));
+          gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (adder),
+                     "invalid width (%u) for float audio in gstadder",
+                     adder->width);
           return;
         }
       } else {
-        gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (adder), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-          g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-          g_strdup_printf("invalid audio format (%d) in gstadder",
-			  adder->format));
+        gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (adder),
+	           "invalid audio format (%d) in gstadder",
+	           adder->format);
 	return;
       }
 
@@ -558,9 +537,9 @@ gst_adder_loop (GstElement *element)
                     GST_AUDIO_INT_PAD_TEMPLATE_PROPS);
 
     if (gst_pad_try_set_caps (adder->srcpad, caps) < 0) {
-      gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (adder), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-        g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-        g_strdup ("Couldn't set the default caps, use link_filtered instead"));
+      gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (adder),
+                         "Couldn't set the default caps, "
+                         "use link_filtered instead");
       return;
     }
 
diff --git a/gst/audioconvert/gstaudioconvert.c b/gst/audioconvert/gstaudioconvert.c
index aae4138b5..c249cae9c 100644
--- a/gst/audioconvert/gstaudioconvert.c
+++ b/gst/audioconvert/gstaudioconvert.c
@@ -334,10 +334,9 @@ gst_audio_convert_chain (GstPad *pad, GstBuffer *buf)
 
   if (!this->caps_set[1]) {
     if (!gst_audio_convert_set_caps (this->src)) {
-      gst_element_gerror(GST_ELEMENT (this), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-        g_strdup ("unconverted error, file a bug"),
-        g_strdup_printf("AudioConvert: could not set caps on pad %s",
-                        GST_PAD_NAME(this->src)));
+      gst_element_error (GST_ELEMENT (this),
+                         "AudioConvert: could not set caps on pad %s",
+                         GST_PAD_NAME(this->src));
       return;
     }
   }
diff --git a/sys/v4l/gstv4lelement.c b/sys/v4l/gstv4lelement.c
index e2ec6bbe3..62b85331e 100644
--- a/sys/v4l/gstv4lelement.c
+++ b/sys/v4l/gstv4lelement.c
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ gst_v4l_get_attribute (GstElement  *element,
       return gst_v4l_get_audio(v4lelement, n, value);
   }
 
-  g_warning("Unknown attribute %s", name);
+  gst_element_error(element, "Unknown attribute %s", name);
   return FALSE;
 }
 
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ gst_v4l_set_attribute (GstElement  *element,
       return gst_v4l_set_audio(v4lelement, n, value);
   }
 
-  g_warning("Unknown attribute %s", name);
+  gst_element_error(element, "Unknown attribute %s", name);
   return FALSE;
 }
 
diff --git a/sys/v4l/gstv4lmjpegsink.c b/sys/v4l/gstv4lmjpegsink.c
index 64bcf7aa6..b1103a0e9 100644
--- a/sys/v4l/gstv4lmjpegsink.c
+++ b/sys/v4l/gstv4lmjpegsink.c
@@ -294,11 +294,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_chain (GstPad    *pad,
     /* check size */
     if (GST_BUFFER_SIZE(buf) > v4lmjpegsink->breq.size)
     {
-      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-        g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-        g_strdup_printf("Buffer too big (%d KB), max. buffersize is %lu KB",
-                        GST_BUFFER_SIZE(buf)/1024,
-			v4lmjpegsink->breq.size/1024));
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+        "Buffer too big (%d KB), max. buffersize is %d KB",
+        GST_BUFFER_SIZE(buf)/1024, v4lmjpegsink->breq.size/1024);
       return;
     }
 
diff --git a/sys/v4l/gstv4lmjpegsrc.c b/sys/v4l/gstv4lmjpegsrc.c
index 4285155ed..73582890a 100644
--- a/sys/v4l/gstv4lmjpegsrc.c
+++ b/sys/v4l/gstv4lmjpegsrc.c
@@ -502,9 +502,8 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_get (GstPad *pad)
   buf = gst_buffer_new_from_pool(v4lmjpegsrc->bufferpool, 0, 0);
   if (!buf)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup("Failed to create a new GstBuffer"));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Failed to create a new GstBuffer");
     return NULL;
   }
 
@@ -841,9 +840,8 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_buffer_free (GstBufferPool *pool, GstBuffer *buf, gpointer user_
     }
 
   if (n == v4lmjpegsrc->breq.count)
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup("Couldn't find the buffer"));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Couldn't find the buffer");
 
   /* free the buffer struct et all */
   gst_buffer_default_free(buf);
diff --git a/sys/v4l/gstv4lsrc.c b/sys/v4l/gstv4lsrc.c
index c0c95fa5e..b3dc4c141 100644
--- a/sys/v4l/gstv4lsrc.c
+++ b/sys/v4l/gstv4lsrc.c
@@ -578,9 +578,8 @@ gst_v4lsrc_get (GstPad *pad)
   buf = gst_buffer_new_from_pool(v4lsrc->bufferpool, 0, 0);
   if (!buf)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_INTERNAL,
-      g_strdup(_("An internal error occured")),
-      g_strdup("Failed to create a new GstBuffer"));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+      "Failed to create a new GstBuffer");
     return NULL;
   }
 
@@ -812,9 +811,8 @@ gst_v4lsrc_buffer_free (GstBufferPool *pool, GstBuffer *buf, gpointer user_data)
     }
 
   if (n == v4lsrc->mbuf.frames)
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_INTERNAL,
-      g_strdup(_("An internal error occured")),
-      g_strdup("Couldn\'t find the buffer"));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+      "Couldn\'t find the buffer");
 
   /* free struct */
   gst_buffer_default_free(buf);
diff --git a/sys/v4l/v4l-overlay_calls.c b/sys/v4l/v4l-overlay_calls.c
index 500de94cf..902487c54 100644
--- a/sys/v4l/v4l-overlay_calls.c
+++ b/sys/v4l/v4l-overlay_calls.c
@@ -59,18 +59,15 @@ gst_v4l_set_overlay (GstV4lElement *v4lelement,
   switch (system(buff))
   {
     case -1:
-      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-        g_strdup(_("Unknown error occured")),
-        g_strdup_printf("Could not start v4l-conf: %s", g_strerror(errno)));
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+        "Could not start v4l-conf: %s", g_strerror(errno));
       g_free(buff);
       return FALSE;
     case 0:
       break;
     default:
-      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-        g_strdup(_("Unknown error occured")),
-        g_strdup_printf("v4l-conf failed to run correctly: %s",
-		        g_strerror(errno)));
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+        "v4l-conf failed to run correctly: %s", g_strerror(errno));
       g_free(buff);
       return FALSE;
   }
@@ -123,10 +120,9 @@ gst_v4l_set_window (GstElement        *element,
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCSWIN, &vwin) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup (_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Failed to set the video window: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Failed to set the video window: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -152,10 +148,9 @@ gst_v4l_enable_overlay (GstV4lElement *v4lelement,
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCCAPTURE, &doit) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Failed to %s overlay display: %s",
-                      enable?"enable":"disable", g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Failed to %s overlay display: %s",
+      enable?"enable":"disable", g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
diff --git a/sys/v4l/v4l_calls.c b/sys/v4l/v4l_calls.c
index 312fd57e9..1c2317504 100644
--- a/sys/v4l/v4l_calls.c
+++ b/sys/v4l/v4l_calls.c
@@ -74,10 +74,9 @@ gst_v4l_get_capabilities (GstV4lElement *v4lelement)
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCGCAP, &(v4lelement->vcap)) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting \'%s\' capabilities: %s",
-                      v4lelement->videodev, g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error getting \'%s\' capabilities: %s",
+      v4lelement->videodev, g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -109,10 +108,9 @@ gst_v4l_open (GstV4lElement *v4lelement)
   v4lelement->video_fd = open(v4lelement->videodev, O_RDWR);
   if (!GST_V4L_IS_OPEN(v4lelement))
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-		      g_strdup(_("Unable to open video device")),
-                      g_strdup_printf("Failed to open device (\'%s\'): %s",
-                                      v4lelement->videodev, g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Failed to open device (\'%s\'): %s",
+      v4lelement->videodev, g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -273,19 +271,17 @@ gst_v4l_set_chan_norm (GstV4lElement *v4lelement,
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCSCHAN, &(v4lelement->vchan)) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error setting the channel/norm settings: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error setting the channel/norm settings: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCGCHAN, &(v4lelement->vchan)) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),  GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting the channel/norm settings: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error getting the channel/norm settings: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -329,9 +325,9 @@ gst_v4l_get_signal (GstV4lElement *v4lelement,
   tuner.tuner = 0;
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCGTUNER, &tuner) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting tuner signal: %s", sys_errlist[errno]));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error getting tuner signal: %s",
+      sys_errlist[errno]);
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -359,9 +355,9 @@ gst_v4l_get_frequency (GstV4lElement *v4lelement,
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCGFREQ, frequency) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting tuner frequency: %s", g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error getting tuner frequency: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -387,9 +383,9 @@ gst_v4l_set_frequency (GstV4lElement *v4lelement,
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCSFREQ, &frequency) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error setting tuner frequency: %s", g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error setting tuner frequency: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -416,10 +412,9 @@ gst_v4l_get_picture (GstV4lElement     *v4lelement,
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCGPICT, &vpic) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting picture parameters: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error getting picture parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -438,7 +433,9 @@ gst_v4l_get_picture (GstV4lElement     *v4lelement,
       *value = vpic.colour;
       break;
     default:
-      g_warning("Error getting picture parameters: unknown type %d", type);
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+        "Error getting picture parameters: unknown type %d",
+        type);
       return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -465,10 +462,9 @@ gst_v4l_set_picture (GstV4lElement     *v4lelement,
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCGPICT, &vpic) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting picture parameters: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error getting picture parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -487,16 +483,17 @@ gst_v4l_set_picture (GstV4lElement     *v4lelement,
       vpic.colour = value;
       break;
     default:
-      g_warning("Error setting picture parameters: unknown type %d", type);
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+        "Error setting picture parameters: unknown type %d",
+        type);
       return FALSE;
   }
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCSPICT, &vpic) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error setting picture parameters: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error setting picture parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -541,10 +538,9 @@ gst_v4l_get_audio (GstV4lElement   *v4lelement,
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCGAUDIO, &vau) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting audio parameters: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error getting audio parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -560,7 +556,9 @@ gst_v4l_get_audio (GstV4lElement   *v4lelement,
       *value = vau.mode;
       break;
     default:
-      g_warning("Error getting audio parameters: unknown type %d", type);
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+        "Error getting audio parameters: unknown type %d",
+        type);
       return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -590,10 +588,9 @@ gst_v4l_set_audio (GstV4lElement   *v4lelement,
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCGAUDIO, &vau) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting audio parameters: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error getting audio parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -602,8 +599,8 @@ gst_v4l_set_audio (GstV4lElement   *v4lelement,
     case V4L_AUDIO_MUTE:
       if (!(vau.flags & VIDEO_AUDIO_MUTABLE))
       {
-        g_warning("Error setting audio mute: " \
-		  "(un)setting mute is not supported");
+        gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+          "Error setting audio mute: (un)setting mute is not supported");
         return FALSE;
       }
       if (value)
@@ -614,8 +611,8 @@ gst_v4l_set_audio (GstV4lElement   *v4lelement,
     case V4L_AUDIO_VOLUME:
       if (!(vau.flags & VIDEO_AUDIO_VOLUME))
       {
-        g_warning("Error setting audio volume: " \
-	          "setting volume is not supported");
+        gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+          "Error setting audio volume: setting volume is not supported");
         return FALSE;
       }
       vau.volume = value;
@@ -624,16 +621,17 @@ gst_v4l_set_audio (GstV4lElement   *v4lelement,
       vau.mode = value;
       break;
     default:
-      g_warning("Error setting audio parameters: unknown type %d", type);
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+        "Error setting audio parameters: unknown type %d",
+        type);
       return FALSE;
   }
 
   if (ioctl(v4lelement->video_fd, VIDIOCSAUDIO, &vau) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error setting audio parameters: %s",
-      		      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),
+      "Error setting audio parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
diff --git a/sys/v4l/v4l_calls.h b/sys/v4l/v4l_calls.h
index e437ce06d..3214e8a47 100644
--- a/sys/v4l/v4l_calls.h
+++ b/sys/v4l/v4l_calls.h
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 extern "C" {
 #endif /* __cplusplus */
 
-#define _(string) (string)
 
 /* simple check whether the device is open */
 #define GST_V4L_IS_OPEN(v4lelement) \
@@ -44,9 +43,7 @@ extern "C" {
   if (v4lelement->video_fd <= 0)               \
   {                                            \
     gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), \
-      GST_ERROR_DEVICE,			       \
-      g_strdup("Video device is not open"), \
-      g_strdup("Device is not open"));         \
+      "Device is not open");                   \
     return FALSE;                              \
   }
 
@@ -55,43 +52,35 @@ extern "C" {
   if (v4lelement->video_fd != -1)              \
   {                                            \
     gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), \
-      GST_ERROR_DEVICE,                        \
-      g_strdup(_("Video device is open")),     \
-      g_strdup("Device is open"));             \
+      "Device is open");                       \
     return FALSE;                              \
   }
 
 /* checks whether the current v4lelement does video overlay */
 #define GST_V4L_CHECK_OVERLAY(v4lelement) \
-  if (!(v4lelement->vcap.type & VID_TYPE_OVERLAY))   \
-  {                                                  \
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),       \
-      GST_ERROR_DEVICE,                              \
-      g_strdup(_("Video device doesn't do overlay")),\
-      g_strdup("Device doesn't do overlay"));        \
-    return FALSE;                                    \
+  if (!(v4lelement->vcap.type & VID_TYPE_OVERLAY)) \
+  {                                                \
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),     \
+      "Device doesn't do overlay");               \
+    return FALSE;                                  \
   }
 
 /* checks whether we're in capture mode or not */
-#define GST_V4L_CHECK_ACTIVE(v4lelement)                    \
-  if (v4lelement->buffer == NULL)                           \
-  {                                                         \
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),              \
-      GST_ERROR_DEVICE,                                     \
-      g_strdup(_("Video device is not in streaming mode")), \
-      g_strdup("Device is not in streaming mode"));         \
-    return FALSE;                                           \
+#define GST_V4L_CHECK_ACTIVE(v4lelement) \
+  if (v4lelement->buffer == NULL)              \
+  {                                            \
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), \
+      "Device is not in streaming mode");      \
+    return FALSE;                              \
   }
 
 /* checks whether we're out of capture mode or not */
-#define GST_V4L_CHECK_NOT_ACTIVE(v4lelement)            \
-  if (v4lelement->buffer != NULL)                       \
-  {                                                     \
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement),          \
-      GST_ERROR_DEVICE,                                 \
-      g_strdup(_("Video device is in streaming mode")), \
-      g_strdup("Device is in streaming mode"));         \
-    return FALSE;                                       \
+#define GST_V4L_CHECK_NOT_ACTIVE(v4lelement) \
+  if (v4lelement->buffer != NULL)              \
+  {                                            \
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lelement), \
+      "Device is in streaming mode");          \
+    return FALSE;                              \
   }
 
 
diff --git a/sys/v4l/v4lmjpegsink_calls.c b/sys/v4l/v4lmjpegsink_calls.c
index d97625d92..c85dce559 100644
--- a/sys/v4l/v4lmjpegsink_calls.c
+++ b/sys/v4l/v4lmjpegsink_calls.c
@@ -80,10 +80,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_sync_thread (void *arg)
     if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink)->video_fd, MJPIOC_SYNC,
         &(v4lmjpegsink->bsync)) < 0)
     {
-      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-        g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-        g_strdup_printf("Failed to sync on frame %d: %s",
-                        frame, g_strerror(errno)));
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+        "Failed to sync on frame %d: %s",
+         frame, g_strerror(errno));
       g_mutex_lock(v4lmjpegsink->mutex_queued_frames);
       v4lmjpegsink->isqueued_queued_frames[frame] = -1;
       g_cond_broadcast(v4lmjpegsink->cond_queued_frames[frame]);
@@ -95,9 +94,8 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_sync_thread (void *arg)
       /* be sure that we're not confusing */
       if (frame != v4lmjpegsink->bsync.frame)
       {
-        gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_INTERNAL,
-          g_strdup(_("An internal error occured")),
-          g_strdup("Internal error: frame number confusion"));
+        gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+          "Internal error: frame number confusion");
         goto end;
       }
       g_mutex_lock(v4lmjpegsink->mutex_queued_frames);
@@ -131,10 +129,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_queue_frame (GstV4lMjpegSink *v4lmjpegsink,
   /* queue on this frame */
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink)->video_fd, MJPIOC_QBUF_PLAY, &num) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Failed to queue frame %d: %s",
-                      num, g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+      "Failed to queue frame %d: %s",
+      num, g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -229,10 +226,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_set_playback (GstV4lMjpegSink *v4lmjpegsink,
 
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink)->video_fd, MJPIOC_G_PARAMS, &bparm) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting playback parameters: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+      "Error getting playback parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -248,10 +244,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_set_playback (GstV4lMjpegSink *v4lmjpegsink,
 
   if (width > mw || height > mh)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Video dimensions (%dx%d) are larger than device max (%dx%d)",
-                      width, height, mw, mh));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+      "Video dimensions (%dx%d) are larger than device max (%dx%d)",
+      width, height, mw, mh);
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -279,10 +274,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_set_playback (GstV4lMjpegSink *v4lmjpegsink,
   {
     if (height > mh/2)
     {
-      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-        g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-        g_strdup_printf("Video dimensions (%dx%d) too large for non-interlaced playback (%dx%d)",
-                        width, height, mw, mh/2));
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+        "Video dimensions (%dx%d) too large for non-interlaced playback (%dx%d)",
+        width, height, mw, mh/2);
       return FALSE;
     }
 
@@ -327,10 +321,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_set_playback (GstV4lMjpegSink *v4lmjpegsink,
 
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink)->video_fd, MJPIOC_S_PARAMS, &bparm) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error setting playback parameters: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+      "Error setting playback parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -356,10 +349,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_playback_init (GstV4lMjpegSink *v4lmjpegsink)
   /* Request buffers */
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink)->video_fd, MJPIOC_REQBUFS, &(v4lmjpegsink->breq)) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error requesting video buffers: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+      "Error requesting video buffers: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -372,10 +364,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_playback_init (GstV4lMjpegSink *v4lmjpegsink)
     PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_SHARED, GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink)->video_fd, 0);
   if (GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink)->buffer == MAP_FAILED)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error mapping video buffers: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+      "Error mapping video buffers: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink)->buffer = NULL;
     return FALSE;
   }
@@ -386,20 +377,18 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_playback_init (GstV4lMjpegSink *v4lmjpegsink)
     malloc(sizeof(gint8) * v4lmjpegsink->breq.count);
   if (!v4lmjpegsink->isqueued_queued_frames)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Failed to create queue tracker: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+      "Failed to create queue tracker: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
   v4lmjpegsink->cond_queued_frames = (GCond **)
     malloc(sizeof(GCond *) * v4lmjpegsink->breq.count);
   if (!v4lmjpegsink->cond_queued_frames)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Failed to create queue condition holders: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+      "Failed to create queue condition holders: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
   for (n=0;n<v4lmjpegsink->breq.count;n++)
@@ -436,9 +425,8 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsink_playback_start (GstV4lMjpegSink *v4lmjpegsink)
       gst_v4lmjpegsink_sync_thread, (void *) v4lmjpegsink, TRUE, &error);
   if(!v4lmjpegsink->thread_queued_frames)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Failed to create sync thread: %s", error->message));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsink),
+      "Failed to create sync thread: %s", error->message);
     return FALSE;
   }
 
diff --git a/sys/v4l/v4lmjpegsrc_calls.c b/sys/v4l/v4lmjpegsrc_calls.c
index 00a884c82..4e1e3e5b6 100644
--- a/sys/v4l/v4lmjpegsrc_calls.c
+++ b/sys/v4l/v4lmjpegsrc_calls.c
@@ -70,10 +70,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_queue_frame (GstV4lMjpegSrc *v4lmjpegsrc,
 
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->video_fd, MJPIOC_QBUF_CAPT, &num) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error queueing a buffer (%d): %s",
-                      num, g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Error queueing a buffer (%d): %s",
+      num, g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -103,10 +102,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_sync_next_frame (GstV4lMjpegSrc *v4lmjpegsrc,
   while (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->video_fd,
                MJPIOC_SYNC, &(v4lmjpegsrc->bsync)) < 0) {
     if (errno != EINTR) {
-      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-        g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-        g_strdup_printf("Error syncing on a buffer: %s",
-                        g_strerror(errno)));
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+        "Error syncing on a buffer: %s",
+        g_strerror(errno));
       return FALSE;
     }
     DEBUG("Sync got interrupted");
@@ -153,10 +151,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_set_input_norm (GstV4lMjpegSrc       *v4lmjpegsrc,
 
       if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->video_fd, MJPIOC_G_STATUS, &bstat) < 0)
       {
-        gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-          g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-          g_strdup_printf("Error getting device status: %s",
-                          g_strerror(errno)));
+        gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+          "Error getting device status: %s",
+          g_strerror(errno));
         return FALSE;
       }
 
@@ -174,9 +171,8 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_set_input_norm (GstV4lMjpegSrc       *v4lmjpegsrc,
     /* check */
     if (input == V4L_MJPEG_INPUT_AUTO || norm == VIDEO_MODE_AUTO)
     {
-      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-	g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-        g_strdup("Unable to auto-detect an input"));
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+        "Unable to auto-detect an input");
       return FALSE;
     }
 
@@ -190,10 +186,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_set_input_norm (GstV4lMjpegSrc       *v4lmjpegsrc,
 
     if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->video_fd, MJPIOC_G_STATUS, &bstat) < 0)
     {
-      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-	g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-        g_strdup_printf("Error getting device status: %s",
-                        g_strerror(errno)));
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+        "Error getting device status: %s",
+        g_strerror(errno));
       return FALSE;
     }
 
@@ -206,10 +201,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_set_input_norm (GstV4lMjpegSrc       *v4lmjpegsrc,
     }
     else
     {
-      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-	g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-        g_strdup_printf("No signal found on input %s",
-                        input_name[input]));
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+        "No signal found on input %s",
+        input_name[input]);
       return FALSE;
     }
   }
@@ -265,10 +259,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_set_capture (GstV4lMjpegSrc *v4lmjpegsrc,
   /* Query params for capture */
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->video_fd, MJPIOC_G_PARAMS, &bparm) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting video parameters: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Error getting video parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -294,10 +287,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_set_capture (GstV4lMjpegSrc *v4lmjpegsrc,
   /* Set params for capture */
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->video_fd, MJPIOC_S_PARAMS, &bparm) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error setting video parameters: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Error setting video parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -341,10 +333,9 @@ gboolean gst_v4lmjpegsrc_set_capture_m (GstV4lMjpegSrc *v4lmjpegsrc,
   /* Query params for capture */
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->video_fd, MJPIOC_G_PARAMS, &bparm) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting video parameters: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Error getting video parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -379,26 +370,23 @@ gboolean gst_v4lmjpegsrc_set_capture_m (GstV4lMjpegSrc *v4lmjpegsrc,
 
   if (width + x_offset > maxwidth)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Image width+offset (%d) bigger than maximum (%d)",
-                      width + x_offset, maxwidth));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Image width+offset (%d) bigger than maximum (%d)",
+      width + x_offset, maxwidth);
     return FALSE;
   }
   if ((width%(bparm.HorDcm*16))!=0) 
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Image width (%d) not multiple of %d (required for JPEG)",
-                      width, bparm.HorDcm*16));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Image width (%d) not multiple of %d (required for JPEG)",
+      width, bparm.HorDcm*16);
     return FALSE;
   }
   if (height + y_offset > (norm==VIDEO_MODE_NTSC ? 480 : 576)) 
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Image height+offset (%d) bigger than maximum (%d)",
-                      height + y_offset, (norm==VIDEO_MODE_NTSC ? 480 : 576)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Image height+offset (%d) bigger than maximum (%d)",
+      height + y_offset, (norm==VIDEO_MODE_NTSC ? 480 : 576));
     return FALSE;
   }
   /* RJ: Image height must only be a multiple of 8, but geom_height
@@ -406,10 +394,9 @@ gboolean gst_v4lmjpegsrc_set_capture_m (GstV4lMjpegSrc *v4lmjpegsrc,
    */
   if ((height%(bparm.VerDcm*16))!=0) 
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Image height (%d) not multiple of %d (required for JPEG)"
-                      ,height, bparm.VerDcm*16));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Image height (%d) not multiple of %d (required for JPEG)",
+      height, bparm.VerDcm*16);
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -430,10 +417,9 @@ gboolean gst_v4lmjpegsrc_set_capture_m (GstV4lMjpegSrc *v4lmjpegsrc,
   /* Set params for capture */
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->video_fd, MJPIOC_S_PARAMS, &bparm) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error setting video parameters: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Error setting video parameters: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -458,19 +444,17 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_capture_init (GstV4lMjpegSrc *v4lmjpegsrc)
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->video_fd,
             MJPIOC_REQBUFS, &(v4lmjpegsrc->breq)) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error requesting video buffers: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Error requesting video buffers: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
   if (v4lmjpegsrc->breq.count < MIN_BUFFERS_QUEUED)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Too little buffers. We got %lu, we want at least %d",
-                      v4lmjpegsrc->breq.count, MIN_BUFFERS_QUEUED));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Too little buffers. We got %d, we want at least %d",
+      v4lmjpegsrc->breq.count, MIN_BUFFERS_QUEUED);
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -495,10 +479,9 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_capture_init (GstV4lMjpegSrc *v4lmjpegsrc)
     PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_SHARED, GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->video_fd, 0);
   if (GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->buffer == MAP_FAILED)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error mapping video buffers: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+      "Error mapping video buffers: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc)->buffer = NULL;
     return FALSE;
   }
@@ -639,11 +622,10 @@ gst_v4lmjpegsrc_requeue_frame (GstV4lMjpegSrc *v4lmjpegsrc,
   g_mutex_lock(v4lmjpegsrc->mutex_queue_state);
 
   if (v4lmjpegsrc->frame_queue_state[num] != QUEUE_STATE_SYNCED) {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Invalid state %d (expected %d), can't requeue",
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lmjpegsrc),
+                      "Invalid state %d (expected %d), can't requeue",
                       v4lmjpegsrc->frame_queue_state[num],
-                      QUEUE_STATE_SYNCED));
+                      QUEUE_STATE_SYNCED);
     return FALSE;
   }
 
diff --git a/sys/v4l/v4lsrc_calls.c b/sys/v4l/v4lsrc_calls.c
index 22488c637..bc265c39c 100644
--- a/sys/v4l/v4lsrc_calls.c
+++ b/sys/v4l/v4lsrc_calls.c
@@ -95,10 +95,9 @@ gst_v4lsrc_queue_frame (GstV4lSrc *v4lsrc,
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lsrc)->video_fd,
             VIDIOCMCAPTURE, &(v4lsrc->mmap)) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error queueing a buffer (%d): %s",
-                      num, g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+      "Error queueing a buffer (%d): %s",
+      num, g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -127,10 +126,9 @@ gst_v4lsrc_sync_frame (GstV4lSrc *v4lsrc, gint num)
     /* if the sync() got interrupted, we can retry */
     if (errno != EINTR) {
       v4lsrc->frame_queue_state[num] = QUEUE_STATE_ERROR;
-      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-	 g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-         g_strdup_printf("Error syncing on a buffer (%d): %s",
-                         num, g_strerror(errno)));
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+         "Error syncing on a buffer (%d): %s",
+          num, g_strerror(errno));
       return FALSE;
     }
     DEBUG("Sync got interrupted");
@@ -192,19 +190,17 @@ gst_v4lsrc_capture_init (GstV4lSrc *v4lsrc)
   /* request buffer info */
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lsrc)->video_fd, VIDIOCGMBUF, &(v4lsrc->mbuf)) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting buffer information: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+      "Error getting buffer information: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
   if (v4lsrc->mbuf.frames < MIN_BUFFERS_QUEUED)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error  occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Too little buffers. We got %d, we want at least %d",
-                      v4lsrc->mbuf.frames, MIN_BUFFERS_QUEUED));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+      "Too little buffers. We got %d, we want at least %d",
+      v4lsrc->mbuf.frames, MIN_BUFFERS_QUEUED);
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -229,10 +225,9 @@ gst_v4lsrc_capture_init (GstV4lSrc *v4lsrc)
     PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_SHARED, GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lsrc)->video_fd, 0);
   if (GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lsrc)->buffer == MAP_FAILED)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error mapping video buffers: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+      "Error mapping video buffers: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lsrc)->buffer = NULL;
     return FALSE;
   }
@@ -369,11 +364,10 @@ gst_v4lsrc_requeue_frame (GstV4lSrc *v4lsrc, gint  num)
   g_mutex_lock(v4lsrc->mutex_queue_state);
 
   if (v4lsrc->frame_queue_state[num] != QUEUE_STATE_SYNCED) {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Invalid state %d (expected %d), can't requeue",
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+                      "Invalid state %d (expected %d), can't requeue",
                       v4lsrc->frame_queue_state[num],
-                      QUEUE_STATE_SYNCED));
+                      QUEUE_STATE_SYNCED);
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -484,10 +478,9 @@ gst_v4lsrc_try_palette (GstV4lSrc *v4lsrc,
   /* let's start by requesting a buffer and mmap()'ing it */
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lsrc)->video_fd, VIDIOCGMBUF, &vmbuf) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-      g_strdup(_("Unable to get informations from video device")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error getting buffer information: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+      "Error getting buffer information: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
   /* Map the buffers */
@@ -495,10 +488,9 @@ gst_v4lsrc_try_palette (GstV4lSrc *v4lsrc,
                 MAP_SHARED, GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lsrc)->video_fd, 0);
   if (buffer == MAP_FAILED)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error mapping our try-out buffer: %s",
-                      g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+      "Error mapping our try-out buffer: %s",
+      g_strerror(errno));
     return FALSE;
   }
 
@@ -510,20 +502,18 @@ gst_v4lsrc_try_palette (GstV4lSrc *v4lsrc,
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lsrc)->video_fd, VIDIOCMCAPTURE, &vmmap) < 0)
   {
     if (errno != EINVAL) /* our format failed! */
-      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_DEVICE,
-        g_strdup(_("Unable to set parameters on video device")),
-        g_strdup_printf("Error queueing our try-out buffer: %s",
-                        g_strerror(errno)));
+      gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+        "Error queueing our try-out buffer: %s",
+        g_strerror(errno));
     munmap(buffer, vmbuf.size);
     return FALSE;
   }
 
   if (ioctl(GST_V4LELEMENT(v4lsrc)->video_fd, VIDIOCSYNC, &frame) < 0)
   {
-    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc), GST_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
-      g_strdup(_("An unknown error occured")),
-      g_strdup_printf("Error syncing on a buffer (%d): %s",
-                      frame, g_strerror(errno)));
+    gst_element_error(GST_ELEMENT(v4lsrc),
+      "Error syncing on a buffer (%d): %s",
+      frame, g_strerror(errno));
     munmap(buffer, vmbuf.size);
     return FALSE;
   }