[TUT]Call recording on HTC One X, a noobs Guide! [UPDATE 23.05.12]

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Hi All

I have wrote a noob's complete guide to call recording on the HTC One X (International, Tegra 3 edition), this guide gives clear step by step instructions. More experienced users will not need this guide, but, may find the app review and sample recordings useful.

If you are already rooted go straight to Part 3

Part 1. Unlock your phone's bootloader at HTCDev

The HTC One X (HOX) is not currently in the listed devices, don't worry just select "All Other Supported Models" from the drop down menu and follow the simple instructions, if you need further help see guide B in step 2. The down side to this is that it will your void warranty to some extent, how much is debatable. If you have phone insurance like me it will be less of a worry.

This is unfortunately the only way to root a HOX at the moment, we are still waiting for S-Off.

Part 2. Root your phone.

There are already a few guides on rooting the HOX, I will link to a few below, I followed guide A.

Guide A
How to root your HTC One X (for Windows, Mac and Linux) by paulobrien.

I used this guide and followed the section "EASIEST ROOT METHOD - 'RECOVERY + SUPERSU'" I had no problems.

Guide B
[Tut] Preparing Your One X for Custom Roms (For Dummies) by bagofcrap24.

This guide is very detailed, it not only explains how to Root you your phone but also guides you through unlocking your bootloader via HTVDev.

Guide C
[TOOL] HTC One X All-In-One Toolkit V1.0 [4-17-12] [PERM ROOT][Noob-
Proof] by hasoon2000

As the title suggests, this is an all in one tool kit.


Ok, so now you have your phone unlocked and rooted, my guide can begin...

Flashing Onepagebook's call recording patch

Part 3a. Download Onepagebook's excellent patch (Sound_Phone_Original_REC.zip) from the first post on his thread, <<HERE>>

I downloaded the zip file straight to my phone and recommend you do the same, it will then be easy to find the zip file your phone's download folder.

Before you proceed you should make a back up of your phones original "Sound_Phone_Original_REC.zip" file I used Root Browser from Google Play market for this. Find the file at the following path in your phone...

system/etc/soundimage/Sound_Phone_Original_REC.txt

... and save it on your pc or somewhere safe (I Gmailed it to myself )

Part 3b. Boot into recovery on your phone and flash the patch, if unsure follow steps a-d below.

a. Turn off phone, hold down the volume down button and turn the phone back on, keep finger on the volume down button until you see the boot menu
b. Select "Recovery" using the volume buttons for up and down and the power button to select
I use ClockworkMod Recovery, and I can now see the ClockworkMod recovery screen.
c. Select - install zip from sdcard, then, - choose zip from sdcard, - Download/, and finally, - Sound_Phone_Original_REC.zip then allow your phone to apply the patch.
d. Simply reboot.

Still reading? Good, because now your phone is capable of 2 way call recording. You just need to choose an app.

Popular (IMO Best) Call Recording Apps and Reviews.

I have tested 3 call recording apps and uploaded sample recordings from them all...

1. Auto Call Recorder by Appstar Solutions

Plus Points
*This app worked straight away with default settings, Audio Source "Mic" and File Type "AMR"
*Quality is great
*Easy to share files via Bluetooth, Google Drive, Drop Box, Gmail, Mail or Skype
*You can add call comments
*Its free (but you can go pro)
* Nice UI, Easy to use

Neg Points
*You are limited to a maximum number of 40 calls in the inbox before they get deleted over, so you either have to save the calls you want or share them. (I gmail them to myself)
*Not optimised for ICS
Verdict 8/10 You will not be disappointed with this great app, only lost points on the 40 call inbox limit and not being optimised for ICS


2. CallRecorder by skvalex

This is the app I use, I used this app on my desire too and have always been happy with it. Imho this is the best call recorder app available for android.

To enable 2 way recording through this app, just enter the app preference setting and set...

a. (Record calls from) to (Standard Android API)
b. (Call recording format) to (AAC) or (AMR) I have not tested the others.
c. Select (Standard Android API preferences) then (Audio Source) and choose (Microphone)

Plus Points
*Works with a wide range of different phones
*Great sound quality
*Developer is helpful and maintains/updates/improves the app regularly
*Developer uses these XDA forums and has a valuable input in threads
*Loads of file formats to choose from
*Loads of options
*Share via Bluetooth, Google Drive, Drop Box, Gmail, Mail or Skype
*Nice UI and easy to use
*Optimised for ICS
*Highest rated call recorder app on the Google Play Market

Negative Points
*The price, but hey, the guy works hard on this app and it is a quality product so I am happy to support it.
*Needs 3 simple steps to set up, but, it's fairly straight forward and only takes a min! (See guide above)
Verdict 9/10 It is hard to see how you could improve upon this app, very popular and well supported. It's price lets it down a little, but, you get what you pay for.

3. Record My Call by NATHANIEL KH

Plus Points
*Good quality sound
*Free
*Works without changing any settings
*Great renaming options
*Search filters are a useful bonus
* Integrated with NexiWave for speech to text Automated Transcription (I have not tested this feature, requires registering with NexiWave and costs)

Negative Points
*Not optimised for ICS and very small hard to press icons
*Few settings
*Only mp3 file format
Verdict 6.5/10 A free workable solution with some neat and interesting features, let down by a lack of options & file formats and its really small buttons. Not as user friendly as it could be.

*Update 22.05.2012*
I was curious about Total Call Recorder and decided to give it a try today, but, I couldn't get it to record at all, on either of the 3 available settings.


*Update 23.05.2012* *Bluetooth*
Onepagebook has explain on his thread <<HERE>> that the patch has (so far) only been created to record the path to the audio chip set i.e. the mic, which it does amazingly well! However he is still working on the patch to mod the headset path, which he hopes will be working "in the near future" to enable Bluetooth recording.

For the time being you can just disable call recording when connected to bluetooth, to do this with...

1. CallRecorder by Skvalex, just open the app, press the settings button and select "Preferences" then "Standard Android API Preferences" "Action on BT connected" and select "Disable recording"

2. Auto Call Recorder by Appstar Solutions, open the app, press settings, scroll down and make sure "Bluetooth, Disable recording when bluetooth connected" is ticked.


On a final note; CallRecorder by Skvalex's set at ACC format uses less memory per call than Auto Call Recorder set at AMR and much less than Record My Call in the only available format, MP3. This is something you may wish to take into account when making your decision.


I have uploaded 3 test calls to this post, so you can hear the quality for yourself. Auto Call recorder, Callrecorder by Skvalex and Record My call. I hope you will find these useful.


If you did find this guide useful, have anything you want to add or have found other call recording apps that work please thank me or leave a comment.

I hope this guide helps and saves people some time.
bigoliver

Great guide, may I ask why some people want call recording?

Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Originally Posted by Nubzori

Great guide, may I ask why some people want call recording?

Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Hi Nubzori,

Thanks for the complement

Can't speak for everyone lol, but, I wanted call recording so I would have proof of contracts made over the phone. Companies record their calls with you and this feature puts the consumer on an equal footing.

A few years back I was offered an "upgrade" with broadband and phone provider talk talk UK. A TT rep said the upgrade would continue to include free international calls to select countries and as my wife's family live in Poland this was very important to us.
One day, halfway through the first month of our new contract our phone and Internet stopped working so I asked TT what the problem was, they said our service was cut off because we reached our "limit" and would need to pay the £300 currently owed! This was only 3 weeks before X-Mas
You'd assume it was obvious we wouldn't change from a plan costing us £30 a month to a plan costing over £300. But no, they insisted we must pay, I explained what I was told but they said they didn't believe me and when I said I had the conversation recorded, they misinformed me that my recording was illegal, even though an auto message was played at the start of the call that they was recording me! (a rep from the ceo's office later said my recording was not illegal)
TT customer service reps are some of the worst I have ever seen. :banghead:

Anyhow, long Story short, finally a ceo's rep asked me if I could send him my recording, after listening he wiped the debt straight away and sent me an apology.

In that example I got back £270 and Christmas was saved horay all thanks to call recording :)

Secondly, I find myself listening to recordings to double check info like times and dates made over the phone and I don't have to search for a pen when people leave me there number

It's very useful.

Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Disable when connected to bluetooth

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Hi,

Haven't found the time to try them all, but maby someone knows...

I'm using CallRecorder by skvalex (the best I've use yet) but have the problem that when connected to my bluetooth carkit it f*cks up the phone call; as soon as it starts recording the audio is lost, not only in recording but also in the actual conversation.

I ave taken a look at Tasker and Profile Settings Full, but after killing CallRecorder when connected to Bluetooth CallRecorder just restarts itself. So that doesn't seem to work...
So I have to manually disable CallRecorder as soon as I enter my car, or I can't use my phone for what it's build for; making a phone conversation.

So, do any of these programs have an option to *not* start recording when connected to a bluetooth headset/carkit? Or does anyone know of a way to disable CallRecorder and re-enable it when bluetooth disconnects?

Big thanks,

Cheers,
/Cacti

There is an option in CallRecorder to disable recording when connected to BT.
Choose the "Standard Android API Preferences" and then set the option "Action on BT connected".
I have not tried it, I just saw the option

Originally Posted by le_cactus

Hi,

Haven't found the time to try them all, but maby someone knows...

I'm using CallRecorder by skvalex (the best I've use yet) but have the problem that when connected to my bluetooth carkit it f*cks up the phone call; as soon as it starts recording the audio is lost, not only in recording but also in the actual conversation.

I ave taken a look at Tasker and Profile Settings Full, but after killing CallRecorder when connected to Bluetooth CallRecorder just restarts itself. So that doesn't seem to work...
So I have to manually disable CallRecorder as soon as I enter my car, or I can't use my phone for what it's build for; making a phone conversation.

So, do any of these programs have an option to *not* start recording when connected to a bluetooth headset/carkit? Or does anyone know of a way to disable CallRecorder and re-enable it when bluetooth disconnects?

Big thanks,

Cheers,
/Cacti

Originally Posted by KRiZ-R

There is an option in CallRecorder to disable recording when connected to BT.
Choose the "Standard Android API Preferences" and then set the option "Action on BT connected".
I have not tried it, I just saw the option

Great tip!

@Cacti, please let us know if this fixes your problem.
I don't use BT and haven't tested it as the patch creater, Onepagebook says it doesn't work with BT anyway, but he has said he will try and enable that feature too.

Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Hey,

Thanks, I'll give it a try and report back!

Cheers,
/Cacti

Hi,

Worked flawlessly! /me = happy

Cheers

/Cacti

Originally Posted by KRiZ-R

There is an option in CallRecorder to disable recording when connected to BT.
Choose the "Standard Android API Preferences" and then set the option "Action on BT connected".
I have not tried it, I just saw the option

Great tip, thanks!

Thank you very much. Work on ARHD.