gst_element_class_set_details => gst_element_class_set_details_simple

190 files changed, 829 insertions, 1505 deletions

diff --git a/ext/alsaspdif/alsaspdifsink.c b/ext/alsaspdif/alsaspdifsink.c
index 63cee2ec7..1ef16025d 100644
--- a/ext/alsaspdif/alsaspdifsink.c
+++ b/ext/alsaspdif/alsaspdifsink.c
@@ -70,15 +70,6 @@ GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (alsaspdifsink_debug);
   (((GstClockTime) AC3_RATE * (time)) / GST_SECOND)
 #endif
 
-/* ElementFactory information. */
-static GstElementDetails alsaspdifsink_details = {
-  "S/PDIF ALSA audiosink",
-  "Sink/Audio",
-  "Feeds audio to S/PDIF interfaces through the ALSA sound driver",
-  "Martin Soto <martinsoto@users.sourceforge.net>\n"
-      "Michael Smith <msmith@fluendo.com>"
-};
-
 /* AlsaSPDIFSink signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -141,7 +132,11 @@ alsaspdifsink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &alsaspdifsink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "S/PDIF ALSA audiosink",
+      "Sink/Audio",
+      "Feeds audio to S/PDIF interfaces through the ALSA sound driver",
+      "Martin Soto <martinsoto@users.sourceforge.net>, "
+      "Michael Smith <msmith@fluendo.com>");
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&alsaspdifsink_sink_factory));
 }
diff --git a/ext/amrwbenc/gstamrwbenc.c b/ext/amrwbenc/gstamrwbenc.c
index f9587cc50..2f0190c5a 100644
--- a/ext/amrwbenc/gstamrwbenc.c
+++ b/ext/amrwbenc/gstamrwbenc.c
@@ -178,17 +178,16 @@ static void
 gst_amrwbenc_base_init (gpointer klass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
-  GstElementDetails details = GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("AMR-WB audio encoder",
-      "Codec/Encoder/Audio",
-      "Adaptive Multi-Rate Wideband audio encoder",
-      "Renato Araujo <renato.filho@indt.org.br>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "AMR-WB audio encoder",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Audio",
+      "Adaptive Multi-Rate Wideband audio encoder",
+      "Renato Araujo <renato.filho@indt.org.br>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/arts/gst_arts.c b/ext/arts/gst_arts.c
index aa6c18666..90742289d 100644
--- a/ext/arts/gst_arts.c
+++ b/ext/arts/gst_arts.c
@@ -42,14 +42,6 @@
 #include "gst_arts.h"
 #include "gst_artsio_impl.h"
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_arts_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("aRts plugin",
-    "Filter/Audio",
-    "aRts wrapper filter",
-    "Erik Walthinsen <omega@temple-baptist.com,\n"
-    "Stefan Westerfeld <stefan@space.twc.de>");
-
 
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_temp = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -123,7 +115,10 @@ gst_arts_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_temp));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_temp));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_arts_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "aRts plugin",
+      "Filter/Audio", "aRts wrapper filter",
+      "Erik Walthinsen <omega@temple-baptist.com, "
+      "Stefan Westerfeld <stefan@space.twc.de>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/artsd/gstartsdsink.c b/ext/artsd/gstartsdsink.c
index 5cc2c8ad8..4ab92611d 100644
--- a/ext/artsd/gstartsdsink.c
+++ b/ext/artsd/gstartsdsink.c
@@ -26,13 +26,6 @@
 #include "gstartsdsink.h"
 #include <gst/audio/audio.h>
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails artsdsink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("aRtsd audio sink",
-    "Sink/Audio",
-    "Plays audio to an aRts server",
-    "Richard Boulton <richard-gst@tartarus.org>",);
-
 /* Signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -106,7 +99,10 @@ gst_artsdsink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &artsdsink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "aRtsd audio sink",
+      "Sink/Audio",
+      "Plays audio to an aRts server",
+      "Richard Boulton <richard-gst@tartarus.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/audiofile/gstafparse.c b/ext/audiofile/gstafparse.c
index ca786a936..27b5a6e8c 100644
--- a/ext/audiofile/gstafparse.c
+++ b/ext/audiofile/gstafparse.c
@@ -29,14 +29,6 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include "gstafparse.h"
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails afparse_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Audiofile demuxer",
-    "Codec/Demuxer/Audio",
-    "Audiofile parser for audio/raw",
-    "Steve Baker <stevebaker_org@yahoo.co.uk>");
-
-
 /* AFParse signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -127,7 +119,10 @@ gst_afparse_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&afparse_sink_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &afparse_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Audiofile demuxer",
+      "Codec/Demuxer/Audio",
+      "Audiofile parser for audio/raw",
+      "Steve Baker <stevebaker_org@yahoo.co.uk>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/audiofile/gstafparse.h b/ext/audiofile/gstafparse.h
index bece51269..3d9f61448 100644
--- a/ext/audiofile/gstafparse.h
+++ b/ext/audiofile/gstafparse.h
@@ -36,9 +36,6 @@ extern "C" {
 #endif /* __cplusplus */
 
 
-/*GstElementDetails gst_afparse_details;*/
-
-
 #define GST_TYPE_AFPARSE \
   (gst_afparse_get_type())
 #define GST_AFPARSE(obj) \
diff --git a/ext/audiofile/gstafsink.c b/ext/audiofile/gstafsink.c
index 68ee3bb59..8a24075e4 100644
--- a/ext/audiofile/gstafsink.c
+++ b/ext/audiofile/gstafsink.c
@@ -33,14 +33,6 @@
 
 #include "gstafsink.h"
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails afsink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Audiofile sink",
-    "Sink/Audio",
-    "Write audio streams to disk using libaudiofile",
-    "Thomas Vander Stichele <thomas@apestaart.org>");
-
-
 /* AFSink signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -148,7 +140,10 @@ gst_afsink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&afsink_sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &afsink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Audiofile sink",
+      "Sink/Audio",
+      "Write audio streams to disk using libaudiofile",
+      "Thomas Vander Stichele <thomas@apestaart.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/audiofile/gstafsink.h b/ext/audiofile/gstafsink.h
index 150e81d15..358d43ca3 100644
--- a/ext/audiofile/gstafsink.h
+++ b/ext/audiofile/gstafsink.h
@@ -34,9 +34,6 @@ extern "C" {
 #endif /* __cplusplus */
 
 
-/*GstElementDetails gst_afsink_details;*/
-
-
 #define GST_TYPE_AFSINK \
   (gst_afsink_get_type())
 #define GST_AFSINK(obj) \
diff --git a/ext/audiofile/gstafsrc.c b/ext/audiofile/gstafsrc.c
index 87558b77b..2a750a378 100644
--- a/ext/audiofile/gstafsrc.c
+++ b/ext/audiofile/gstafsrc.c
@@ -33,14 +33,6 @@
 
 #include "gstafsrc.h"
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails afsrc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Audiofile source",
-    "Source/Audio",
-    "Read audio files from disk using libaudiofile",
-    "Thomas <thomas@apestaart.org>");
-
-
 /* AFSrc signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -145,7 +137,10 @@ gst_afsrc_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&afsrc_src_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &afsrc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Audiofile source",
+      "Source/Audio",
+      "Read audio files from disk using libaudiofile",
+      "Thomas <thomas@apestaart.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/audiofile/gstafsrc.h b/ext/audiofile/gstafsrc.h
index 785a0a689..f8f5fd8c3 100644
--- a/ext/audiofile/gstafsrc.h
+++ b/ext/audiofile/gstafsrc.h
@@ -34,9 +34,6 @@ extern "C" {
 #endif /* __cplusplus */
 
 
-/*GstElementDetails gst_afsrc_details;*/
-
-
 #define GST_TYPE_AFSRC \
   (gst_afsrc_get_type())
 #define GST_AFSRC(obj) \
diff --git a/ext/audioresample/gstaudioresample.c b/ext/audioresample/gstaudioresample.c
index 8971824ae..bcf10f29c 100644
--- a/ext/audioresample/gstaudioresample.c
+++ b/ext/audioresample/gstaudioresample.c
@@ -33,13 +33,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (audioresample_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT audioresample_debug
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_audioresample_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Audio scaler",
-    "Filter/Converter/Audio",
-    "Resample audio",
-    "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
-
 /* Audioresample signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -127,7 +120,9 @@ static void gst_audioresample_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (gstelement_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_audioresample_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (gstelement_class, &gst_audioresample_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (gstelement_class, "Audio scaler",
+      "Filter/Converter/Audio",
+      "Resample audio", "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void gst_audioresample_class_init (AudioresampleClass * klass)
diff --git a/ext/cdaudio/gstcdaudio.c b/ext/cdaudio/gstcdaudio.c
index ec9946710..8d1a15371 100644
--- a/ext/cdaudio/gstcdaudio.c
+++ b/ext/cdaudio/gstcdaudio.c
@@ -115,13 +115,6 @@ static GstFormat sector_format;
 static GstElementClass *parent_class;
 static guint gst_cdaudio_signals[LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_cdaudio_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("CD player",
-    "Generic/Bin",
-    "Play CD audio through the CD Drive",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
-
-
 static void
 _do_init (GType cdaudio_type)
 {
@@ -143,7 +136,9 @@ gst_cdaudio_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_cdaudio_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "CD player",
+      "Generic/Bin",
+      "Play CD audio through the CD Drive", "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
 
   /* Register the track and sector format */
   track_format = gst_format_register ("track", "CD track");
diff --git a/ext/celt/gstceltenc.c b/ext/celt/gstceltenc.c
index d984d9939..6324f3c3a 100644
--- a/ext/celt/gstceltenc.c
+++ b/ext/celt/gstceltenc.c
@@ -72,12 +72,6 @@ static GstStaticPadTemplate src_factory = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
         "channels = (int) [ 1, 2 ], " "frame-size = (int) [ 64, 512 ]")
     );
 
-static const GstElementDetails celtenc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Celt audio encoder",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Audio",
-    "Encodes audio in Celt format",
-    "Sebastian Dröge <sebastian.droege@collabora.co.uk>");
-
 #define DEFAULT_BITRATE         64
 #define DEFAULT_FRAMESIZE       480
 #define DEFAULT_CBR             TRUE
diff --git a/ext/cog/gstcogcolorspace.c b/ext/cog/gstcogcolorspace.c
index ede5d5384..8d83fd22c 100644
--- a/ext/cog/gstcogcolorspace.c
+++ b/ext/cog/gstcogcolorspace.c
@@ -122,11 +122,7 @@ GST_BOILERPLATE (GstCogcolorspace, gst_cogcolorspace, GstBaseTransform,
 static void
 gst_cogcolorspace_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails compress_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("YCbCr/RGB format conversion",
-      "Filter/Effect/Video",
-      "YCbCr/RGB format conversion",
-      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -134,7 +130,9 @@ gst_cogcolorspace_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_cogcolorspace_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &compress_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "YCbCr/RGB format conversion", "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "YCbCr/RGB format conversion", "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/cog/gstcogdownsample.c b/ext/cog/gstcogdownsample.c
index 0c9d60543..16a81fef4 100644
--- a/ext/cog/gstcogdownsample.c
+++ b/ext/cog/gstcogdownsample.c
@@ -139,11 +139,7 @@ gst_cogdownsample_get_type (void)
 static void
 gst_cogdownsample_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails compress_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Downsample video",
-      "Filter/Effect/Video",
-      "Decreases size of video by a factor of 2",
-      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -151,7 +147,10 @@ gst_cogdownsample_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_cogdownsample_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &compress_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Downsample video",
+      "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "Decreases size of video by a factor of 2",
+      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/cog/gstcogfilter.c b/ext/cog/gstcogfilter.c
index 78b4cf744..5df885d44 100644
--- a/ext/cog/gstcogfilter.c
+++ b/ext/cog/gstcogfilter.c
@@ -144,11 +144,7 @@ gst_cog_filter_get_type (void)
 static void
 gst_cog_filter_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails compress_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Cog Video Filter",
-      "Filter/Effect/Video",
-      "Applies a cog pre-filter to video",
-      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -156,7 +152,9 @@ gst_cog_filter_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_cog_filter_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &compress_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Cog Video Filter",
+      "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "Applies a cog pre-filter to video", "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/cog/gstcogmse.c b/ext/cog/gstcogmse.c
index a7d5c9a4b..d14fb1b9b 100644
--- a/ext/cog/gstcogmse.c
+++ b/ext/cog/gstcogmse.c
@@ -74,11 +74,6 @@ struct _GstMSEClass
   GstElementClass parent;
 };
 
-static const GstElementDetails element_details = GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("FIXME",
-    "Filter/Effect",
-    "FIXME example filter",
-    "FIXME <fixme@fixme.com>");
-
 enum
 {
   PROP_0,
@@ -142,7 +137,8 @@ gst_mse_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_framestore_sink_test_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "FIXME",
+      "Filter/Effect", "FIXME example filter", "FIXME <fixme@fixme.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/cog/gstcogscale.c b/ext/cog/gstcogscale.c
index d44a494a7..63bebf10d 100644
--- a/ext/cog/gstcogscale.c
+++ b/ext/cog/gstcogscale.c
@@ -116,14 +116,6 @@ struct _GstCogScaleClass
 
 GType gst_cog_scale_get_type (void);
 
-
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails cog_scale_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Video scaler",
-    "Filter/Effect/Video",
-    "Resizes video",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
 #define DEFAULT_QUALITY 5
 
 enum
@@ -222,7 +214,9 @@ gst_cog_scale_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &cog_scale_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Video scaler",
+      "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "Resizes video", "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_cog_scale_src_template));
diff --git a/ext/cog/gstcolorconvert.c b/ext/cog/gstcolorconvert.c
index 9309ceb33..5b79e8e60 100644
--- a/ext/cog/gstcolorconvert.c
+++ b/ext/cog/gstcolorconvert.c
@@ -137,11 +137,7 @@ gst_colorconvert_get_type (void)
 static void
 gst_colorconvert_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails compress_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Video Filter Template",
-      "Filter/Effect/Video",
-      "Template for a video filter",
-      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -149,7 +145,9 @@ gst_colorconvert_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_colorconvert_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &compress_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Video Filter Template",
+      "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "Template for a video filter", "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/cog/gstlogoinsert.c b/ext/cog/gstlogoinsert.c
index 1822dd482..cbf50df60 100644
--- a/ext/cog/gstlogoinsert.c
+++ b/ext/cog/gstlogoinsert.c
@@ -146,11 +146,7 @@ gst_logoinsert_get_type (void)
 static void
 gst_logoinsert_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails compress_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Video Filter Template",
-      "Filter/Effect/Video",
-      "Template for a video filter",
-      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -158,7 +154,9 @@ gst_logoinsert_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_logoinsert_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &compress_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Video Filter Template",
+      "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "Template for a video filter", "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/dc1394/gstdc1394.c b/ext/dc1394/gstdc1394.c
index 035522d02..4848b65b7 100644
--- a/ext/dc1394/gstdc1394.c
+++ b/ext/dc1394/gstdc1394.c
@@ -43,12 +43,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY (dc1394_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT dc1394_debug
 
-static GstElementDetails dc1394_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("1394 IIDC Video Source",
-    "Source/Video",
-    "libdc1394 based source, supports 1394 IIDC cameras",
-    "Antoine Tremblay <hexa00@gmail.com>");
-
 enum
 {
   PROP_0,
@@ -112,7 +106,10 @@ gst_dc1394_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &dc1394_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "1394 IIDC Video Source",
+      "Source/Video",
+      "libdc1394 based source, supports 1394 IIDC cameras",
+      "Antoine Tremblay <hexa00@gmail.com>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_pad_template_new ("src", GST_PAD_SRC, GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
diff --git a/ext/dirac/gstdiracdec.cc b/ext/dirac/gstdiracdec.cc
index c883fd5fb..597735b65 100644
--- a/ext/dirac/gstdiracdec.cc
+++ b/ext/dirac/gstdiracdec.cc
@@ -29,15 +29,6 @@
 
 #include "gstdiracdec.h"
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static GstElementDetails gst_diracdec_details = {
-  "Dirac stream decoder",
-  "Codec/Decoder/Video",
-  "Decode DIRAC streams",
-  "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>\n"
-      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>",
-};
-
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY (diracdec_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT diracdec_debug
 
@@ -116,7 +107,10 @@ gst_diracdec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_diracdec_src_pad_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_diracdec_sink_pad_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_diracdec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Dirac stream decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video", "Decode DIRAC streams",
+      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>, "
+      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
 }
 
 static void
@@ -264,15 +258,16 @@ gst_diracdec_chain (GstPad * pad, GstData * _data)
                 diracdec->decoder->seq_params.width,
                 diracdec->decoder->seq_params.height,
                 (gdouble) fps_num / (gdouble) fps_denom,
-                gst_diracdec_chroma_to_fourcc (diracdec->decoder->seq_params.
-                    chroma))) {
+                gst_diracdec_chroma_to_fourcc (diracdec->decoder->
+                    seq_params.chroma))) {
           GST_ELEMENT_ERROR (diracdec, CORE, NEGOTIATION, (NULL),
               ("Failed to set caps to %dx%d @ %d fps (format=" GST_FOURCC_FORMAT
                   "/%d)", diracdec->decoder->seq_params.width,
                   diracdec->decoder->seq_params.height,
                   diracdec->decoder->seq_params.frame_rate,
-                  gst_diracdec_chroma_to_fourcc (diracdec->decoder->seq_params.
-                      chroma), diracdec->decoder->seq_params.chroma));
+                  gst_diracdec_chroma_to_fourcc (diracdec->decoder->
+                      seq_params.chroma),
+                  diracdec->decoder->seq_params.chroma));
           c = FALSE;
           break;
         }
diff --git a/ext/dirac/gstdiracenc.cc b/ext/dirac/gstdiracenc.cc
index e09b97761..c54e7ec45 100644
--- a/ext/dirac/gstdiracenc.cc
+++ b/ext/dirac/gstdiracenc.cc
@@ -207,11 +207,6 @@ GST_BOILERPLATE_FULL (GstDiracEnc, gst_dirac_enc, GstBaseVideoEncoder,
 static void
 gst_dirac_enc_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails dirac_enc_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ((gchar *) "Dirac Encoder",
-      (gchar *) "Codec/Encoder/Video",
-      (gchar *) "Encode raw YUV video into Dirac stream",
-      (gchar *) "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -219,7 +214,10 @@ gst_dirac_enc_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_dirac_enc_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &dirac_enc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Dirac Encoder",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Video",
+      "Encode raw YUV video into Dirac stream",
+      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/directfb/dfbvideosink.c b/ext/directfb/dfbvideosink.c
index 707e9b0c2..f6d2617d0 100644
--- a/ext/directfb/dfbvideosink.c
+++ b/ext/directfb/dfbvideosink.c
@@ -99,13 +99,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (dfbvideosink_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT dfbvideosink_debug
 
-/* ElementFactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dfbvideosink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("DirectFB video sink",
-    "Sink/Video",
-    "A DirectFB based videosink",
-    "Julien Moutte <julien@moutte.net>");
-
 /* Default template */
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_dfbvideosink_sink_template_factory =
     GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
@@ -346,8 +339,8 @@ gst_dfbvideosink_event_thread (GstDfbVideoSink * dfbvideosink)
 
   while (dfbvideosink->running) {
     /* Wait for an event with a 50 ms timeout */
-    dfbvideosink->event_buffer->WaitForEventWithTimeout (dfbvideosink->
-        event_buffer, 0, 50);
+    dfbvideosink->event_buffer->
+        WaitForEventWithTimeout (dfbvideosink->event_buffer, 0, 50);
 
     /* Do we have an event ? */
     ret = dfbvideosink->event_buffer->HasEvent (dfbvideosink->event_buffer);
@@ -2275,7 +2268,9 @@ gst_dfbvideosink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dfbvideosink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "DirectFB video sink",
+      "Sink/Video",
+      "A DirectFB based videosink", "Julien Moutte <julien@moutte.net>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_dfbvideosink_sink_template_factory));
diff --git a/ext/divx/gstdivxdec.c b/ext/divx/gstdivxdec.c
index 1e4460edf..2e9543c41 100644
--- a/ext/divx/gstdivxdec.c
+++ b/ext/divx/gstdivxdec.c
@@ -25,13 +25,6 @@
 #include "gstdivxdec.h"
 #include <gst/video/video.h>
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_divxdec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Divx4linux video decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Video",
-    "Divx decoder based on divxdecore",
-    "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -142,7 +135,10 @@ gst_divxdec_base_init (GstDivxDecClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_divxdec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Divx4linux video decoder", "Codec/Decoder/Video",
+      "Divx decoder based on divxdecore",
+      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
 }
 
 
diff --git a/ext/divx/gstdivxenc.c b/ext/divx/gstdivxenc.c
index ab970ba7d..0fab15501 100644
--- a/ext/divx/gstdivxenc.c
+++ b/ext/divx/gstdivxenc.c
@@ -26,13 +26,6 @@
 #include <gst/video/video.h>
 #include <encore2.h>
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_divxenc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Divx4linux video encoder",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Video",
-    "Divx encoder based on divxencore",
-    "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -153,7 +146,10 @@ gst_divxenc_base_init (GstDivxEncClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_divxenc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Divx4linux video encoder", "Codec/Encoder/Video",
+      "Divx encoder based on divxencore",
+      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
 }
 
 
diff --git a/ext/dts/gstdtsdec.c b/ext/dts/gstdtsdec.c
index 8d026a43b..9f3ddf0b1 100644
--- a/ext/dts/gstdtsdec.c
+++ b/ext/dts/gstdtsdec.c
@@ -85,13 +85,6 @@ typedef struct dts_state_s dca_state_t;
 #include <liboil/liboilcpu.h>
 #include <liboil/liboilfunction.h>
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dtsdec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("DTS audio decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
-    "Decodes DTS audio streams",
-    "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>\n"
-    "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
-
 #if defined(LIBDTS_FIXED) || defined(LIBDCA_FIXED)
 #define SAMPLE_WIDTH 16
 #elif defined (LIBDTS_DOUBLE) || defined(LIBDCA_DOUBLE)
@@ -158,7 +151,11 @@ gst_dtsdec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dtsdec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "DTS audio decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
+      "Decodes DTS audio streams",
+      "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>, "
+      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
 
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (dtsdec_debug, "dtsdec", 0, "DTS/DCA audio decoder");
 }
diff --git a/ext/faac/gstfaac.c b/ext/faac/gstfaac.c
index 16c5fdce5..85716db64 100644
--- a/ext/faac/gstfaac.c
+++ b/ext/faac/gstfaac.c
@@ -91,12 +91,6 @@ static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
     GST_STATIC_CAPS (SINK_CAPS));
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_faac_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("AAC audio encoder",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Audio",
-    "Free MPEG-2/4 AAC encoder",
-    "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
-
 enum
 {
   ARG_0,
@@ -184,7 +178,10 @@ gst_faac_base_init (GstFaacClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_faac_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "AAC audio encoder",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Audio",
+      "Free MPEG-2/4 AAC encoder",
+      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
 
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (faac_debug, "faac", 0, "AAC encoding");
 }
diff --git a/ext/faad/gstfaad.c b/ext/faad/gstfaad.c
index 15c993f71..5e4570095 100644
--- a/ext/faad/gstfaad.c
+++ b/ext/faad/gstfaad.c
@@ -89,12 +89,6 @@ extern gint8 faacDecInit2 (faacDecHandle, guint8 *, guint32,
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (faad_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT faad_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails faad_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("AAC audio decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
-    "Free MPEG-2/4 AAC decoder",
-    "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -203,7 +197,10 @@ gst_faad_base_init (GstFaadClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &faad_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "AAC audio decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
+      "Free MPEG-2/4 AAC decoder",
+      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
 
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (faad_debug, "faad", 0, "AAC decoding");
 }
diff --git a/ext/flite/gstflitetestsrc.c b/ext/flite/gstflitetestsrc.c
index 22340727b..c8c4a1f79 100644
--- a/ext/flite/gstflitetestsrc.c
+++ b/ext/flite/gstflitetestsrc.c
@@ -72,12 +72,6 @@ GType gst_flite_test_src_get_type (void);
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (flite_test_src_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT flite_test_src_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_flite_test_src_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Flite speech test source",
-    "Source/Audio",
-    "Creates audio test signals identifying channels",
-    "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
-
 #define DEFAULT_SAMPLES_PER_BUFFER 1024
 
 enum
@@ -126,7 +120,10 @@ gst_flite_test_src_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_flite_test_src_src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_flite_test_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Flite speech test source", "Source/Audio",
+      "Creates audio test signals identifying channels",
+      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/gsm/gstgsmdec.c b/ext/gsm/gstgsmdec.c
index f3a83904b..facea23ce 100644
--- a/ext/gsm/gstgsmdec.c
+++ b/ext/gsm/gstgsmdec.c
@@ -30,13 +30,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gsmdec_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT (gsmdec_debug)
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_gsmdec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("GSM audio decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
-    "Decodes GSM encoded audio",
-    "Philippe Khalaf <burger@speedy.org>");
-
 /* GSMDec signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -117,7 +110,9 @@ gst_gsmdec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gsmdec_sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gsmdec_src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_gsmdec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "GSM audio decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
+      "Decodes GSM encoded audio", "Philippe Khalaf <burger@speedy.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/gsm/gstgsmenc.c b/ext/gsm/gstgsmenc.c
index ffd629a1f..828334032 100644
--- a/ext/gsm/gstgsmenc.c
+++ b/ext/gsm/gstgsmenc.c
@@ -30,13 +30,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gsmenc_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT (gsmenc_debug)
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_gsmenc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("GSM audio encoder",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Audio",
-    "Encodes GSM audio",
-    "Philippe Khalaf <burger@speedy.org>");
-
 /* GSMEnc signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -111,7 +104,9 @@ gst_gsmenc_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gsmenc_sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gsmenc_src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_gsmenc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "GSM audio encoder",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Audio",
+      "Encodes GSM audio", "Philippe Khalaf <burger@speedy.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/hermes/gsthermescolorspace.c b/ext/hermes/gsthermescolorspace.c
index fdf4f154a..c46572c77 100644
--- a/ext/hermes/gsthermescolorspace.c
+++ b/ext/hermes/gsthermescolorspace.c
@@ -100,13 +100,6 @@ static GstHermesColorspaceFormat gst_hermes_colorspace_formats[] = {
   {GST_STATIC_CAPS (GST_VIDEO_CAPS_RGB_16)},
 };
 
-static const GstElementDetails colorspace_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Colorspace converter",
-    "Filter/Converter/Video",
-    "Converts video from one colorspace to another using libhermes",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
-
 /* Stereo signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -387,8 +380,8 @@ gst_hermes_colorspace_link (GstPad * pad, const GstCaps * caps)
     GstCaps *fcaps;
 
     fcaps =
-        gst_caps_copy (gst_static_caps_get (&gst_hermes_colorspace_formats[i].
-            caps));
+        gst_caps_copy (gst_static_caps_get (&gst_hermes_colorspace_formats
+            [i].caps));
 
     icaps = gst_caps_intersect (caps, fcaps);
     if (!gst_caps_is_empty (icaps)) {
@@ -513,7 +506,10 @@ gst_hermes_colorspace_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_hermes_colorspace_sink_pad_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &colorspace_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Colorspace converter",
+      "Filter/Converter/Video",
+      "Converts video from one colorspace to another using libhermes",
+      "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/jack/gstjackaudiosink.c b/ext/jack/gstjackaudiosink.c
index 0e75f16d2..40ee5a0fe 100644
--- a/ext/jack/gstjackaudiosink.c
+++ b/ext/jack/gstjackaudiosink.c
@@ -621,13 +621,6 @@ gst_jack_ring_buffer_delay (GstRingBuffer * buf)
   return res;
 }
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_jack_audio_sink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Audio Sink (Jack)",
-    "Sink/Audio",
-    "Output to Jack",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate jackaudiosink_sink_factory =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -676,7 +669,8 @@ gst_jack_audio_sink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_jack_audio_sink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Audio Sink (Jack)",
+      "Sink/Audio", "Output to Jack", "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&jackaudiosink_sink_factory));
diff --git a/ext/jack/gstjackaudiosrc.c b/ext/jack/gstjackaudiosrc.c
index 211e1d2e6..da97404fa 100644
--- a/ext/jack/gstjackaudiosrc.c
+++ b/ext/jack/gstjackaudiosrc.c
@@ -678,17 +678,14 @@ static GstRingBuffer *gst_jack_audio_src_create_ringbuffer (GstBaseAudioSrc *
 static void
 gst_jack_audio_src_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails gst_jack_audio_src_details = {
-    "Audio Source (Jack)",
-    "Source/Audio",
-    "Input from Jack",
-    "Tristan Matthews <tristan@sat.qc.ca>"
-  };
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_jack_audio_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Audio Source (Jack)",
+      "Source/Audio",
+      "Input from Jack", "Tristan Matthews <tristan@sat.qc.ca>");
 }
 
 /* initialize the jack_audio_src's class */
diff --git a/ext/jp2k/gstjasperdec.c b/ext/jp2k/gstjasperdec.c
index 2b3ab445d..73662c014 100644
--- a/ext/jp2k/gstjasperdec.c
+++ b/ext/jp2k/gstjasperdec.c
@@ -37,12 +37,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gst_jasper_dec_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_jasper_dec_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails plugin_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Jasper JPEG2000 image decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Image",
-    "Decodes JPEG2000 encoded images using jasper",
-    "Mark Nauwelaerts <mnauw@users.sf.net>");
-
 enum
 {
   ARG_0,
@@ -115,7 +109,10 @@ gst_jasper_dec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_jasper_dec_src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_jasper_dec_sink_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &plugin_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Jasper JPEG2000 image decoder", "Codec/Decoder/Image",
+      "Decodes JPEG2000 encoded images using jasper",
+      "Mark Nauwelaerts <mnauw@users.sf.net>");
 }
 
 /* initialize the plugin's class */
diff --git a/ext/jp2k/gstjasperenc.c b/ext/jp2k/gstjasperenc.c
index 10fc3e56f..870ebd691 100644
--- a/ext/jp2k/gstjasperenc.c
+++ b/ext/jp2k/gstjasperenc.c
@@ -37,12 +37,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gst_jasper_enc_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_jasper_enc_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails plugin_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Jasper JPEG2000 image encoder",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Image",
-    "Encodes video to JPEG2000 using jasper",
-    "Mark Nauwelaerts <mnauw@users.sf.net>");
-
 enum
 {
   ARG_0,
@@ -119,7 +113,10 @@ gst_jasper_enc_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_jasper_enc_src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_jasper_enc_sink_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &plugin_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Jasper JPEG2000 image encoder", "Codec/Encoder/Image",
+      "Encodes video to JPEG2000 using jasper",
+      "Mark Nauwelaerts <mnauw@users.sf.net>");
 }
 
 /* initialize the plugin's class */
diff --git a/ext/kate/gstkatedec.c b/ext/kate/gstkatedec.c
index ffae36543..50a8cc4dc 100644
--- a/ext/kate/gstkatedec.c
+++ b/ext/kate/gstkatedec.c
@@ -132,18 +132,17 @@ static gboolean gst_kate_dec_sink_query (GstPad * pad, GstQuery * query);
 static void
 gst_kate_dec_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails element_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Kate stream text decoder",
-      "Codec/Decoder/Subtitle",
-      "Decodes Kate text streams",
-      "Vincent Penquerc'h <ogg.k.ogg.k@googlemail.com>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Kate stream text decoder", "Codec/Decoder/Subtitle",
+      "Decodes Kate text streams",
+      "Vincent Penquerc'h <ogg.k.ogg.k@googlemail.com>");
 }
 
 /* initialize the plugin's class */
diff --git a/ext/kate/gstkateenc.c b/ext/kate/gstkateenc.c
index 752dc1040..bc2ba2901 100644
--- a/ext/kate/gstkateenc.c
+++ b/ext/kate/gstkateenc.c
@@ -150,18 +150,17 @@ GST_BOILERPLATE_FULL (GstKateEnc, gst_kate_enc, GstElement,
 static void
 gst_kate_enc_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-  static const GstElementDetails element_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Kate stream encoder",
-      "Codec/Encoder/Subtitle",
-      "Encodes Kate streams from text or subpictures",
-      "Vincent Penquerc'h <ogg.k.ogg.k@googlemail.com>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Kate stream encoder",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Subtitle",
+      "Encodes Kate streams from text or subpictures",
+      "Vincent Penquerc'h <ogg.k.ogg.k@googlemail.com>");
 }
 
 /* initialize the plugin's class */
diff --git a/ext/kate/gstkateparse.c b/ext/kate/gstkateparse.c
index e4a834776..c41066645 100644
--- a/ext/kate/gstkateparse.c
+++ b/ext/kate/gstkateparse.c
@@ -69,12 +69,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_EXTERN (gst_kateparse_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_kateparse_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_kate_parse_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Kate stream parser",
-    "Codec/Parser/Subtitle",
-    "parse raw kate streams",
-    "Vincent Penquerc'h <ogg.k.ogg.k at googlemail dot com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_kate_parse_sink_factory =
     GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -113,7 +107,10 @@ gst_kate_parse_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_kate_parse_src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_kate_parse_sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_kate_parse_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Kate stream parser",
+      "Codec/Parser/Subtitle",
+      "parse raw kate streams",
+      "Vincent Penquerc'h <ogg.k.ogg.k at googlemail dot com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/kate/gstkatetag.c b/ext/kate/gstkatetag.c
index ac4e925ff..897d1a571 100644
--- a/ext/kate/gstkatetag.c
+++ b/ext/kate/gstkatetag.c
@@ -115,19 +115,14 @@ static void gst_kate_tag_dispose (GObject * object);
 GST_BOILERPLATE_FULL (GstKateTag, gst_kate_tag, GstKateParse,
     GST_TYPE_KATE_PARSE, _do_init);
 
-static GstElementDetails kate_tag_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Kate stream tagger",
-    "Formatter/Metadata",
-    "Retags kate streams",
-    "Vincent Penquerc'h <ogg.k.ogg.k@googlemail.com>");
-
-
 static void
 gst_kate_tag_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &kate_tag_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Kate stream tagger",
+      "Formatter/Metadata",
+      "Retags kate streams", "Vincent Penquerc'h <ogg.k.ogg.k@googlemail.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/kate/gstkatetiger.c b/ext/kate/gstkatetiger.c
index 55f183bb6..737fbb398 100644
--- a/ext/kate/gstkatetiger.c
+++ b/ext/kate/gstkatetiger.c
@@ -169,11 +169,7 @@ static gboolean gst_kate_tiger_source_event (GstPad * pad, GstEvent * event);
 static void
 gst_kate_tiger_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails element_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Kate stream renderer",
-      "Mixer/Video/Overlay/Subtitle",
-      "Decodes and renders Kate streams on top of a video",
-      "Vincent Penquerc'h <ogg.k.ogg.k@googlemail.com>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -182,7 +178,10 @@ gst_kate_tiger_base_init (gpointer gclass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&kate_sink_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&video_sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Kate stream renderer",
+      "Mixer/Video/Overlay/Subtitle",
+      "Decodes and renders Kate streams on top of a video",
+      "Vincent Penquerc'h <ogg.k.ogg.k@googlemail.com>");
 }
 
 /* initialize the plugin's class */
diff --git a/ext/ladspa/gstladspa.c b/ext/ladspa/gstladspa.c
index 501973457..c10c5bbd1 100644
--- a/ext/ladspa/gstladspa.c
+++ b/ext/ladspa/gstladspa.c
@@ -80,13 +80,14 @@ gst_ladspa_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   GstLADSPAClass *klass = (GstLADSPAClass *) g_class;
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
   GstSignalProcessorClass *gsp_class = GST_SIGNAL_PROCESSOR_CLASS (g_class);
-  GstElementDetails *details;
   LADSPA_Descriptor *desc;
   guint j, audio_in_count, audio_out_count, control_in_count, control_out_count;
-  gchar *klass_tags;
+  const gchar *klass_tags;
+  gchar *longname, *author;
 #if HAVE_LRDF
-  gchar *uri, *extra_klass_tags = NULL;
+  gchar *uri;
 #endif
+  gchar *extra_klass_tags = NULL;
 
   GST_DEBUG ("base_init %p", g_class);
 
@@ -138,15 +139,12 @@ gst_ladspa_base_init (gpointer g_class)
     }
   }
 
-  /* construct the element details struct */
-  details = g_new0 (GstElementDetails, 1);
-  details->longname = g_locale_to_utf8 (desc->Name, -1, NULL, NULL, NULL);
-  if (!details->longname)
-    details->longname = g_strdup ("no description available");
-  details->description = details->longname;
-  details->author = g_locale_to_utf8 (desc->Maker, -1, NULL, NULL, NULL);
-  if (!details->author)
-    details->author = g_strdup ("no author available");
+  longname = g_locale_to_utf8 (desc->Name, -1, NULL, NULL, NULL);
+  if (!longname)
+    longname = g_strdup ("no description available");
+  author = g_locale_to_utf8 (desc->Maker, -1, NULL, NULL, NULL);
+  if (!author)
+    author = g_strdup ("no author available");
 
 #if HAVE_LRDF
   /* libldrf support, we want to get extra class information here */
@@ -236,18 +234,17 @@ gst_ladspa_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
 #if HAVE_LRDF
   if (extra_klass_tags) {
-    details->klass = g_strconcat (klass_tags, extra_klass_tags, NULL);
+    char *s = g_strconcat (klass_tags, extra_klass_tags, NULL);
     g_free (extra_klass_tags);
-  } else
-#endif
-  {
-    details->klass = klass_tags;
+    extra_klass_tags = s;
   }
-  GST_INFO ("tags : %s", details->klass);
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, details);
-  g_free (details->longname);
-  g_free (details->author);
-  g_free (details);
+#endif
+  GST_INFO ("tags : %s", klass_tags);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, longname,
+      extra_klass_tags ? extra_klass_tags : klass_tags, longname, author);
+  g_free (longname);
+  g_free (author);
+  g_free (extra_klass_tags);
 
   klass->audio_in_portnums = g_new0 (gint, gsp_class->num_audio_in);
   klass->audio_out_portnums = g_new0 (gint, gsp_class->num_audio_out);
diff --git a/ext/lcs/gstcolorspace.c b/ext/lcs/gstcolorspace.c
index cdf8cb83e..5b4479c14 100644
--- a/ext/lcs/gstcolorspace.c
+++ b/ext/lcs/gstcolorspace.c
@@ -58,14 +58,6 @@ struct _GstColorspaceClass
   GstElementClass parent_class;
 };
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails colorspace_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Colorspace converter",
-    "Filter/Effect",
-    "Converts video from one colorspace to another",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
-
 /* Stereo signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -346,7 +338,10 @@ gst_colorspace_base_init (GstColorspaceClass * klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_colorspace_src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_colorspace_sink_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &colorspace_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Colorspace converter",
+      "Filter/Effect",
+      "Converts video from one colorspace to another",
+      "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/libfame/gstlibfame.c b/ext/libfame/gstlibfame.c
index b17273716..c8491a634 100644
--- a/ext/libfame/gstlibfame.c
+++ b/ext/libfame/gstlibfame.c
@@ -29,13 +29,6 @@
 
 #define FAMEENC_BUFFER_SIZE (300 * 1024)
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_fameenc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("MPEG-1 and MPEG-4 video encoder",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Video",
-    "Uses fameenc to encode MPEG video streams",
-    "Thomas Vander Stichele <thomas@apestaart.org>");
-
 static GQuark fame_object_name;
 
 
@@ -184,7 +177,10 @@ gst_fameenc_base_init (GstFameEncClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_fameenc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "MPEG-1 and MPEG-4 video encoder", "Codec/Encoder/Video",
+      "Uses fameenc to encode MPEG video streams",
+      "Thomas Vander Stichele <thomas@apestaart.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/libmms/gstmms.c b/ext/libmms/gstmms.c
index 20abafb47..cbaa8e799 100644
--- a/ext/libmms/gstmms.c
+++ b/ext/libmms/gstmms.c
@@ -41,12 +41,6 @@ enum
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (mmssrc_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT mmssrc_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails plugin_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("MMS streaming source",
-    "Source/Network",
-    "Receive data streamed via MSFT Multi Media Server protocol",
-    "Maciej Katafiasz <mathrick@users.sourceforge.net>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate src_factory = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -96,7 +90,10 @@ gst_mms_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &plugin_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "MMS streaming source",
+      "Source/Network",
+      "Receive data streamed via MSFT Multi Media Server protocol",
+      "Maciej Katafiasz <mathrick@users.sourceforge.net>");
 
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (mmssrc_debug, "mmssrc", 0, "MMS Source Element");
 }
diff --git a/ext/lv2/gstlv2.c b/ext/lv2/gstlv2.c
index fbac7fc0f..8572aa225 100644
--- a/ext/lv2/gstlv2.c
+++ b/ext/lv2/gstlv2.c
@@ -178,14 +178,14 @@ gst_lv2_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   GstLV2Class *klass = (GstLV2Class *) g_class;
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
   GstSignalProcessorClass *gsp_class = GST_SIGNAL_PROCESSOR_CLASS (g_class);
-  GstElementDetails *details;
   SLV2Plugin lv2plugin;
   SLV2Value val;
   SLV2Values values, sub_values;
   GstLV2Group *group = NULL;
   GstAudioChannelPosition position = GST_AUDIO_CHANNEL_POSITION_INVALID;
   guint j, in_pad_index = 0, out_pad_index = 0;
-  gchar *klass_tags;
+  const gchar *klass_tags;
+  gchar *longname, *author;
 
   lv2plugin = (SLV2Plugin) g_type_get_qdata (G_OBJECT_CLASS_TYPE (klass),
       descriptor_quark);
@@ -341,22 +341,19 @@ gst_lv2_base_init (gpointer g_class)
         j, 1);
   }
 
-  /* construct the element details struct */
-  details = g_new0 (GstElementDetails, 1);
   val = slv2_plugin_get_name (lv2plugin);
   if (val) {
-    details->longname = g_strdup (slv2_value_as_string (val));
+    longname = g_strdup (slv2_value_as_string (val));
     slv2_value_free (val);
   } else {
-    details->longname = g_strdup ("no description available");
+    longname = g_strdup ("no description available");
   }
-  details->description = details->longname;
   val = slv2_plugin_get_author_name (lv2plugin);
   if (val) {
-    details->author = g_strdup (slv2_value_as_string (val));
+    author = g_strdup (slv2_value_as_string (val));
     slv2_value_free (val);
   } else {
-    details->author = g_strdup ("no author available");
+    author = g_strdup ("no author available");
   }
 
   if (gsp_class->num_audio_in == 0)
@@ -369,12 +366,11 @@ gst_lv2_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   } else
     klass_tags = "Filter/Effect/Audio/LV2";
 
-  details->klass = klass_tags;
-  GST_INFO ("tags : %s", details->klass);
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, details);
-  g_free (details->longname);
-  g_free (details->author);
-  g_free (details);
+  GST_INFO ("tags : %s", klass_tags);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, longname,
+      klass_tags, longname, author);
+  g_free (longname);
+  g_free (author);
 
   if (!slv2_plugin_has_feature (lv2plugin, in_place_broken_pred))
     GST_SIGNAL_PROCESSOR_CLASS_SET_CAN_PROCESS_IN_PLACE (klass);
diff --git a/ext/metadata/gstmetadatademux.c b/ext/metadata/gstmetadatademux.c
index 09ace3dce..337c61ba1 100644
--- a/ext/metadata/gstmetadatademux.c
+++ b/ext/metadata/gstmetadatademux.c
@@ -247,22 +247,17 @@ done:
 static void
 gst_metadata_demux_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-/* *INDENT-OFF* */
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "Metadata demuxer",
-    "Demuxer/Extracter/Metadata",
-    "Send metadata tags (EXIF, IPTC and XMP) and "
-      "remove metadata chunks from stream",
-    "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>"
-  };
-/* *INDENT-ON* */
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Metadata demuxer",
+      "Demuxer/Extracter/Metadata",
+      "Send metadata tags (EXIF, IPTC and XMP) and "
+      "remove metadata chunks from stream",
+      "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/metadata/gstmetadatamux.c b/ext/metadata/gstmetadatamux.c
index 626a40db1..2caaf74ad 100644
--- a/ext/metadata/gstmetadatamux.c
+++ b/ext/metadata/gstmetadatamux.c
@@ -239,13 +239,7 @@ done:
 static void
 gst_metadata_mux_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-/* *INDENT-OFF* */
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "Metadata muxer",
-    "Muxer/Formatter/Metadata",
-    "Write metadata (EXIF, IPTC and XMP) into a image stream",
-    "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>"
-  };
+
 /* *INDENT-ON* */
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
@@ -253,7 +247,10 @@ gst_metadata_mux_base_init (gpointer gclass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Metadata muxer",
+      "Muxer/Formatter/Metadata",
+      "Write metadata (EXIF, IPTC and XMP) into a image stream",
+      "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/mimic/gstmimdec.c b/ext/mimic/gstmimdec.c
index a0878a136..17ccf2242 100644
--- a/ext/mimic/gstmimdec.c
+++ b/ext/mimic/gstmimdec.c
@@ -76,15 +76,7 @@ GST_BOILERPLATE (GstMimDec, gst_mimdec, GstElement, GST_TYPE_ELEMENT);
 static void
 gst_mimdec_base_init (gpointer klass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails plugin_details = {
-    "MimDec",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Video",
-    "Mimic decoder",
-    "Andre Moreira Magalhaes <andre.magalhaes@indt.org.br>, "
-        "Rob Taylor <robtaylor@fastmail.fm>, "
-        "Philippe Khalaf <burger@speedy.org>, "
-        "Ole André Vadla Ravnås <oleavr@gmail.com>"
-  };
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -92,7 +84,13 @@ gst_mimdec_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &plugin_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "MimDec",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video",
+      "Mimic decoder",
+      "Andre Moreira Magalhaes <andre.magalhaes@indt.org.br>, "
+      "Rob Taylor <robtaylor@fastmail.fm>, "
+      "Philippe Khalaf <burger@speedy.org>, "
+      "Ole André Vadla Ravnås <oleavr@gmail.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/mimic/gstmimenc.c b/ext/mimic/gstmimenc.c
index f47b43a91..aa786e930 100644
--- a/ext/mimic/gstmimenc.c
+++ b/ext/mimic/gstmimenc.c
@@ -101,12 +101,7 @@ GST_BOILERPLATE (GstMimEnc, gst_mimenc, GstElement, GST_TYPE_ELEMENT);
 static void
 gst_mimenc_base_init (gpointer klass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails plugin_details = {
-    "MimEnc",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Video",
-    "Mimic encoder",
-    "Andre Moreira Magalhaes <andre.magalhaes@indt.org.br>"
-  };
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
   GObjectClass *gobject_class = G_OBJECT_CLASS (klass);
 
@@ -123,7 +118,9 @@ gst_mimenc_base_init (gpointer klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &plugin_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "MimEnc",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Video",
+      "Mimic encoder", "Andre Moreira Magalhaes <andre.magalhaes@indt.org.br>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/musicbrainz/gsttrm.c b/ext/musicbrainz/gsttrm.c
index a4883b354..7ae4eb7e0 100644
--- a/ext/musicbrainz/gsttrm.c
+++ b/ext/musicbrainz/gsttrm.c
@@ -65,12 +65,6 @@ enum
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (trm_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT trm_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_trm_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("MusicBrainz TRM generator",
-    "Filter/Analyzer/Audio",
-    "Compute MusicBrainz TRM Id using libmusicbrainz",
-    "Jeremy Simon <jsimon13@yahoo.fr>");
-
 GstStaticPadTemplate src_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -123,7 +117,10 @@ gst_trm_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_trm_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "MusicBrainz TRM generator", "Filter/Analyzer/Audio",
+      "Compute MusicBrainz TRM Id using libmusicbrainz",
+      "Jeremy Simon <jsimon13@yahoo.fr>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/mythtv/gstmythtvsrc.c b/ext/mythtv/gstmythtvsrc.c
index 5ef5b00e1..5ec839786 100644
--- a/ext/mythtv/gstmythtvsrc.c
+++ b/ext/mythtv/gstmythtvsrc.c
@@ -86,14 +86,6 @@ GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (mythtvsrc_debug);
 #define READ_SIZE_LIVETV                    (80*1024)
 #define GST_FLOW_ERROR_NO_DATA              (-101)
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_mythtv_src_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("MythTV client source",
-    "Source/Network",
-    "Control and receive data as a client over the network "
-    "via raw socket connections using the MythTV protocol",
-    "Rosfran Borges <rosfran.borges@indt.org.br>,"
-    "Renato Filho <renato.filho@indt.org.br>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate srctemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -167,7 +159,12 @@ GST_BOILERPLATE_FULL (GstMythtvSrc, gst_mythtv_src, GstPushSrc,
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&srctemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_mythtv_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "MythTV client source",
+      "Source/Network",
+      "Control and receive data as a client over the network "
+      "via raw socket connections using the MythTV protocol",
+      "Rosfran Borges <rosfran.borges@indt.org.br>, "
+      "Renato Filho <renato.filho@indt.org.br>");
 
   element_class->change_state = gst_mythtv_src_change_state;
 
diff --git a/ext/nas/nassink.c b/ext/nas/nassink.c
index 6f5a003ee..93e9c1043 100644
--- a/ext/nas/nassink.c
+++ b/ext/nas/nassink.c
@@ -88,13 +88,6 @@ static AuBool NAS_EventHandler (AuServer * aud, AuEvent * ev,
 static AuDeviceID NAS_getDevice (AuServer * aud, int numTracks);
 static int NAS_createFlow (GstNasSink * sink, GstRingBufferSpec * spec);
 
-static const GstElementDetails nas_sink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("NAS audio sink",
-    "Sink/Audio",
-    "Plays audio to a Network Audio Server",
-    "Laurent Vivier <Laurent.Vivier@bull.net>, "
-    "Arwed v. Merkatz <v.merkatz@gmx.net>");
-
 GST_BOILERPLATE (GstNasSink, gst_nas_sink, GstAudioSink, GST_TYPE_AUDIO_SINK);
 
 static void
@@ -104,7 +97,11 @@ gst_nas_sink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &nas_sink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "NAS audio sink",
+      "Sink/Audio",
+      "Plays audio to a Network Audio Server",
+      "Laurent Vivier <Laurent.Vivier@bull.net>, "
+      "Arwed v. Merkatz <v.merkatz@gmx.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/neon/gstneonhttpsrc.c b/ext/neon/gstneonhttpsrc.c
index 61eec9aec..fd704f85b 100644
--- a/ext/neon/gstneonhttpsrc.c
+++ b/ext/neon/gstneonhttpsrc.c
@@ -37,14 +37,6 @@ GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (neonhttpsrc_debug);
 /* max number of HTTP redirects, when iterating over a sequence of HTTP 3xx status code */
 #define MAX_HTTP_REDIRECTS_NUMBER 5
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_neonhttp_src_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("HTTP client source",
-    "Source/Network",
-    "Receive data as a client over the network via HTTP using NEON",
-    "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>, "
-    "Rosfran Borges <rosfran.borges@indt.org.br>, "
-    "Andre Moreira Magalhaes <andre.magalhaes@indt.org.br>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate srctemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -140,7 +132,12 @@ gst_neonhttp_src_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&srctemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_neonhttp_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "HTTP client source",
+      "Source/Network",
+      "Receive data as a client over the network via HTTP using NEON",
+      "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>, "
+      "Rosfran Borges <rosfran.borges@indt.org.br>, "
+      "Andre Moreira Magalhaes <andre.magalhaes@indt.org.br>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/polyp/polypsink.c b/ext/polyp/polypsink.c
index cb126cb42..67d27d74b 100644
--- a/ext/polyp/polypsink.c
+++ b/ext/polyp/polypsink.c
@@ -63,17 +63,12 @@ gst_polypsink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       )
       );
 
-  static const GstElementDetails details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Polypaudio audio sink",
-      "Sink/Audio",
-      "Plays audio to a Polypaudio server",
-      "Lennart Poettering");
-
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&pad_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Polypaudio audio sink",
+      "Sink/Audio", "Plays audio to a Polypaudio server", "Lennart Poettering");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/resindvd/gstmpegdemux.c b/ext/resindvd/gstmpegdemux.c
index 405a0c1fe..bfa883508 100644
--- a/ext/resindvd/gstmpegdemux.c
+++ b/ext/resindvd/gstmpegdemux.c
@@ -47,14 +47,6 @@ GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gstflupsdemux_debug);
 
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_EXTERN (gstflupesfilter_debug);
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static GstElementDetails flups_demux_details = {
-  "MPEG Program Demuxer",
-  "Codec/Demuxer",
-  "Demultiplexes MPEG Program Streams",
-  "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>"
-};
-
 /* MPEG2Demux signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -172,7 +164,9 @@ gst_flups_demux_base_init (GstFluPSDemuxClass * klass)
       klass->subpicture_template);
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class, klass->sink_template);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &flups_demux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "MPEG Program Demuxer",
+      "Codec/Demuxer",
+      "Demultiplexes MPEG Program Streams", "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/resindvd/resindvdbin.c b/ext/resindvd/resindvdbin.c
index fb50b5503..df0df2d0b 100644
--- a/ext/resindvd/resindvdbin.c
+++ b/ext/resindvd/resindvdbin.c
@@ -98,12 +98,7 @@ static GstStateChangeReturn rsn_dvdbin_change_state (GstElement * element,
 static void
 rsn_dvdbin_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "rsndvdbin",
-    "Generic/Bin/Player",
-    "DVD playback element",
-    "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>"
-  };
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -112,7 +107,9 @@ rsn_dvdbin_base_init (gpointer gclass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&audio_src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&subpicture_src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "rsndvdbin",
+      "Generic/Bin/Player",
+      "DVD playback element", "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>");
 
   element_class->change_state = GST_DEBUG_FUNCPTR (rsn_dvdbin_change_state);
 }
diff --git a/ext/resindvd/resindvdsrc.c b/ext/resindvd/resindvdsrc.c
index cd482367a..ec8f92bdc 100644
--- a/ext/resindvd/resindvdsrc.c
+++ b/ext/resindvd/resindvdsrc.c
@@ -189,17 +189,13 @@ rsn_dvdsrc_register_extra (GType rsn_dvdsrc_type)
 static void
 rsn_dvdsrc_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "Resin DVD Src",
-    "Source/DVD",
-    "DVD source element",
-    "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>"
-  };
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Resin DVD Src",
+      "Source/DVD", "DVD source element", "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/resindvd/rsnaudiomunge.c b/ext/resindvd/rsnaudiomunge.c
index 7c8cfde08..5e6f9cc6f 100644
--- a/ext/resindvd/rsnaudiomunge.c
+++ b/ext/resindvd/rsnaudiomunge.c
@@ -80,12 +80,6 @@ rsn_audiomunge_class_init (RsnAudioMungeClass * klass)
 {
   GObjectClass *gobject_class = (GObjectClass *) (klass);
   GstElementClass *element_class = (GstElementClass *) (klass);
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "RsnAudioMunge",
-    "Audio/Filter",
-    "Resin DVD audio stream regulator",
-    "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>"
-  };
 
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (rsn_audiomunge_debug, "rsnaudiomunge",
       0, "ResinDVD audio stream regulator");
@@ -95,7 +89,9 @@ rsn_audiomunge_class_init (RsnAudioMungeClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "RsnAudioMunge",
+      "Audio/Filter",
+      "Resin DVD audio stream regulator", "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>");
 
   gobject_class->set_property = rsn_audiomunge_set_property;
   gobject_class->get_property = rsn_audiomunge_get_property;
diff --git a/ext/resindvd/rsnparsetter.c b/ext/resindvd/rsnparsetter.c
index 65de2ac31..a4206aaf8 100644
--- a/ext/resindvd/rsnparsetter.c
+++ b/ext/resindvd/rsnparsetter.c
@@ -56,19 +56,17 @@ rsn_parsetter_register_extra (GType rsn_parsetter_type)
 static void
 rsn_parsetter_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "Resin Aspect Ratio Setter",
-    "Filter/Video",
-    "Overrides caps on video buffers to force a particular display ratio",
-    "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>"
-  };
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Resin Aspect Ratio Setter", "Filter/Video",
+      "Overrides caps on video buffers to force a particular display ratio",
+      "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/resindvd/rsnstreamselector.c b/ext/resindvd/rsnstreamselector.c
index 6171c68e6..3bb607157 100644
--- a/ext/resindvd/rsnstreamselector.c
+++ b/ext/resindvd/rsnstreamselector.c
@@ -32,15 +32,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (stream_selector_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT stream_selector_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails rsn_stream_selector_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("StreamSelector",
-    "Generic",
-    "N-to-1 input stream_selectoring",
-    "Julien Moutte <julien@moutte.net>\n"
-    "Ronald S. Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>\n"
-    "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@mad.scientist.com>\n"
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate rsn_stream_selector_sink_factory =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink%d",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -485,7 +476,12 @@ rsn_stream_selector_base_init (RsnStreamSelectorClass * klass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &rsn_stream_selector_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "StreamSelector",
+      "Generic", "N-to-1 input stream_selectoring",
+      "Julien Moutte <julien@moutte.net>, "
+      "Ronald S. Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>, "
+      "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@mad.scientist.com>, "
+      "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&rsn_stream_selector_sink_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
diff --git a/ext/schroedinger/gstschrodec.c b/ext/schroedinger/gstschrodec.c
index 54653a957..6d6faa56d 100644
--- a/ext/schroedinger/gstschrodec.c
+++ b/ext/schroedinger/gstschrodec.c
@@ -116,11 +116,7 @@ GST_BOILERPLATE (GstSchroDec, gst_schro_dec, GstBaseVideoDecoder,
 static void
 gst_schro_dec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails compress_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Dirac Decoder",
-      "Codec/Decoder/Video",
-      "Decode Dirac streams",
-      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -128,7 +124,9 @@ gst_schro_dec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_schro_dec_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &compress_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Dirac Decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video",
+      "Decode Dirac streams", "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/schroedinger/gstschroenc.c b/ext/schroedinger/gstschroenc.c
index 0a5dadab3..6cc1a0d92 100644
--- a/ext/schroedinger/gstschroenc.c
+++ b/ext/schroedinger/gstschroenc.c
@@ -135,11 +135,7 @@ GST_BOILERPLATE (GstSchroEnc, gst_schro_enc, GstBaseVideoEncoder,
 static void
 gst_schro_enc_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails schro_enc_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Dirac Encoder",
-      "Codec/Encoder/Video",
-      "Encode raw video into Dirac stream",
-      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -147,7 +143,9 @@ gst_schro_enc_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_schro_enc_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &schro_enc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Dirac Encoder",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Video",
+      "Encode raw video into Dirac stream", "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static GType
diff --git a/ext/schroedinger/gstschroparse.c b/ext/schroedinger/gstschroparse.c
index 75ccf0976..adff59cc0 100644
--- a/ext/schroedinger/gstschroparse.c
+++ b/ext/schroedinger/gstschroparse.c
@@ -133,11 +133,7 @@ GST_BOILERPLATE (GstSchroParse, gst_schro_parse, GstBaseVideoParse,
 static void
 gst_schro_parse_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails compress_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Dirac Parser",
-      "Codec/Parser/Video",
-      "Parse Dirac streams",
-      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -145,7 +141,9 @@ gst_schro_parse_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_schro_parse_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &compress_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Dirac Parser",
+      "Codec/Parser/Video",
+      "Parse Dirac streams", "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/sdl/sdlaudiosink.c b/ext/sdl/sdlaudiosink.c
index 3b1ed4adf..2106864c1 100644
--- a/ext/sdl/sdlaudiosink.c
+++ b/ext/sdl/sdlaudiosink.c
@@ -26,13 +26,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_EXTERN (sdl_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT sdl_debug
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_sdlaudio_sink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("SDL audio sink",
-    "Sink/Audio",
-    "Output to a sound card via SDLAUDIO",
-    "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>");
-
 static void gst_sdlaudio_sink_dispose (GObject * object);
 
 static GstCaps *gst_sdlaudio_sink_getcaps (GstBaseSink * bsink);
@@ -151,11 +144,15 @@ gst_sdlaudio_sink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_sdlaudio_sink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "SDL audio sink",
+      "Sink/Audio",
+      "Output to a sound card via SDLAUDIO",
+      "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sdlaudiosink_sink_factory));
 }
+
 static void
 gst_sdlaudio_sink_class_init (GstSDLAudioSinkClass * klass)
 {
diff --git a/ext/sdl/sdlvideosink.c b/ext/sdl/sdlvideosink.c
index 22c7aa5e2..e4b81fafe 100644
--- a/ext/sdl/sdlvideosink.c
+++ b/ext/sdl/sdlvideosink.c
@@ -50,15 +50,6 @@ GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_EXTERN (sdl_debug);
 
 #define I420_SIZE(w,h)     (I420_V_OFFSET(w,h)+(I420_V_ROWSTRIDE(w)*GST_ROUND_UP_2(h)/2))
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_sdlvideosink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("SDL video sink",
-    "Sink/Video",
-    "An SDL-based videosink",
-    "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>\n"
-    "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>\n"
-    "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@mad.scientist.com>");
-
 
 enum
 {
@@ -162,8 +153,11 @@ gst_sdlvideosink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       GST_PAD_SINK, GST_PAD_ALWAYS, capslist);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class, sink_template);
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_sdlvideosink_details);
-
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "SDL video sink",
+      "Sink/Video", "An SDL-based videosink",
+      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>, "
+      "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>, "
+      "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@mad.scientist.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/shout/gstshout.c b/ext/shout/gstshout.c
index 1fbbc0987..4e81b3961 100644
--- a/ext/shout/gstshout.c
+++ b/ext/shout/gstshout.c
@@ -22,13 +22,6 @@
 #endif
 #include "gstshout.h"
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails icecastsend_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Icecast network sink",
-    "Sink/Network",
-    "Sends data to an icecast server using libshout",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
 static char *SHOUT_ERRORS[] = {
   "ok",
   "insane",
@@ -119,7 +112,10 @@ gst_icecastsend_base_init (GstIcecastSendClass * klass)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &icecastsend_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Icecast network sink",
+      "Sink/Network",
+      "Sends data to an icecast server using libshout",
+      "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/snapshot/gstsnapshot.c b/ext/snapshot/gstsnapshot.c
index 185c06303..f61ded16f 100644
--- a/ext/snapshot/gstsnapshot.c
+++ b/ext/snapshot/gstsnapshot.c
@@ -28,13 +28,6 @@
 
 #define MAX_HEIGHT      2048
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails snapshot_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Snapshot",
-    "Filter/Editor/Video",
-    "Dump a frame to a png file",
-    "Jeremy SIMON <jsimon13@yahoo.fr>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate snapshot_src_factory =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -128,7 +121,9 @@ gst_snapshot_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&snapshot_src_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &snapshot_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Snapshot",
+      "Filter/Editor/Video",
+      "Dump a frame to a png file", "Jeremy SIMON <jsimon13@yahoo.fr>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/sndfile/gstsfsink.c b/ext/sndfile/gstsfsink.c
index 4039a792d..2bdb2fe35 100644
--- a/ext/sndfile/gstsfsink.c
+++ b/ext/sndfile/gstsfsink.c
@@ -28,13 +28,6 @@
 
 #include "gstsfsink.h"
 
-
-static const GstElementDetails sfsink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Sndfile sink",
-    "Sink/Audio",
-    "Write audio streams to disk using libsndfile",
-    "Andy Wingo <wingo at pobox dot com>");
-
 enum
 {
   PROP_0,
@@ -93,7 +86,10 @@ gst_sf_sink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (gst_sf_debug, "sfsink", 0, "sfsink element");
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sf_sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &sfsink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Sndfile sink",
+      "Sink/Audio",
+      "Write audio streams to disk using libsndfile",
+      "Andy Wingo <wingo at pobox dot com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/sndfile/gstsfsrc.c b/ext/sndfile/gstsfsrc.c
index 0cd1e9137..f725d3f5b 100644
--- a/ext/sndfile/gstsfsrc.c
+++ b/ext/sndfile/gstsfsrc.c
@@ -29,13 +29,6 @@
 
 #include "gstsfsrc.h"
 
-
-static const GstElementDetails sf_src_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Sndfile source",
-    "Source/Audio",
-    "Read audio streams from disk using libsndfile",
-    "Andy Wingo <wingo at pobox dot com>");
-
 enum
 {
   PROP_0,
@@ -93,7 +86,10 @@ gst_sf_src_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (gstelement_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sf_src_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (gstelement_class, &sf_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (gstelement_class, "Sndfile source",
+      "Source/Audio",
+      "Read audio streams from disk using libsndfile",
+      "Andy Wingo <wingo at pobox dot com>");
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (gst_sf_src_debug, "sfsrc", 0, "sfsrc element");
 }
 
diff --git a/ext/spc/gstspc.c b/ext/spc/gstspc.c
index 7032065a2..0facad2e4 100644
--- a/ext/spc/gstspc.c
+++ b/ext/spc/gstspc.c
@@ -28,12 +28,6 @@
 #include <glib/gprintf.h>
 #include <glib.h>
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_spc_dec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("OpenSPC SPC decoder",
-    "Codec/Audio/Decoder",
-    "Uses OpenSPC to emulate an SPC processor",
-    "Chris Lee <clee@kde.org>, Brian Koropoff <bkoropoff@gmail.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_factory =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink", GST_PAD_SINK, GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
     GST_STATIC_CAPS ("audio/x-spc"));
@@ -109,7 +103,10 @@ gst_spc_dec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_spc_dec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "OpenSPC SPC decoder",
+      "Codec/Audio/Decoder",
+      "Uses OpenSPC to emulate an SPC processor",
+      "Chris Lee <clee@kde.org>, Brian Koropoff <bkoropoff@gmail.com>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
diff --git a/ext/swfdec/gstswfdec.c b/ext/swfdec/gstswfdec.c
index 19e819e32..9394ddec3 100644
--- a/ext/swfdec/gstswfdec.c
+++ b/ext/swfdec/gstswfdec.c
@@ -30,13 +30,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (swfdec_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT swfdec_debug
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_swfdec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("SWF video decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Video",
-    "Uses libswfdec to decode Flash video streams",
-    "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
-
 /* Swfdec signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -178,8 +171,8 @@ gst_swfdecbuffer_finalize (GstSwfdecBuffer * swfdecbuffer)
 
   swfdec_buffer_unref (swfdecbuffer->swfdec_buffer);
 
-  ((GstMiniObjectClass *) buffer_parent_class)->
-      finalize ((GstMiniObject *) swfdecbuffer);
+  ((GstMiniObjectClass *) buffer_parent_class)->finalize ((GstMiniObject *)
+      swfdecbuffer);
 }
 
 
@@ -215,7 +208,10 @@ gst_swfdec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_swfdec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "SWF video decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video",
+      "Uses libswfdec to decode Flash video streams",
+      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&video_template_factory));
diff --git a/ext/tarkin/gsttarkindec.c b/ext/tarkin/gsttarkindec.c
index bfa0f1157..a0786237f 100644
--- a/ext/tarkin/gsttarkindec.c
+++ b/ext/tarkin/gsttarkindec.c
@@ -28,13 +28,6 @@
 
 static GstPadTemplate *dec_src_template, *dec_sink_template;
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails tarkindec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Tarkin video decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Video",
-    "Decodes video in OGG Tarkin format",
-    "Monty <monty@xiph.org>, " "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
 /* TarkinDec signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -131,7 +124,10 @@ gst_tarkindec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class, dec_sink_template);
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class, dec_src_template);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &tarkindec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Tarkin video decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video",
+      "Decodes video in OGG Tarkin format",
+      "Monty <monty@xiph.org>, " "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/tarkin/gsttarkinenc.c b/ext/tarkin/gsttarkinenc.c
index 95b49a4c8..700b5a230 100644
--- a/ext/tarkin/gsttarkinenc.c
+++ b/ext/tarkin/gsttarkinenc.c
@@ -28,13 +28,6 @@
 
 static GstPadTemplate *enc_src_template, *enc_sink_template;
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails tarkinenc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Tarkin video encoder",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Video",
-    "Encodes video in OGG Tarkin format",
-    "Monty <monty@xiph.org>, " "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
 /* TarkinEnc signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -131,7 +124,10 @@ gst_tarkinenc_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class, enc_sink_template);
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class, enc_src_template);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &tarkinenc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Tarkin video encoder",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Video",
+      "Encodes video in OGG Tarkin format",
+      "Monty <monty@xiph.org>, " "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/theora/theoradec.c b/ext/theora/theoradec.c
index afb0841e0..f5dba2f77 100644
--- a/ext/theora/theoradec.c
+++ b/ext/theora/theoradec.c
@@ -47,13 +47,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (theoradecexp_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT theoradecexp_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails theora_dec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Theora video decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Video",
-    "decode raw theora streams to raw YUV video using libtheoradec",
-    "Benjamin Otte <in7y118@public.uni-hamburg.de>, "
-    "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>, " "Michael Smith <msmith@fluendo,com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate theora_dec_src_factory =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -98,7 +91,11 @@ gst_theoradec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&theora_dec_src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&theora_dec_sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &theora_dec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Theora video decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video",
+      "decode raw theora streams to raw YUV video using libtheoradec",
+      "Benjamin Otte <in7y118@public.uni-hamburg.de>, "
+      "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>, " "Michael Smith <msmith@fluendo,com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/timidity/gsttimidity.c b/ext/timidity/gsttimidity.c
index 3d72fcd39..eda20ca75 100644
--- a/ext/timidity/gsttimidity.c
+++ b/ext/timidity/gsttimidity.c
@@ -51,12 +51,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gst_timidity_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_timidity_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_timidity_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Timidity",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
-    "Midi Synthesizer Element",
-    "Wouter Paesen <wouter@blue-gate.be>");
-
 enum
 {
   /* FILL ME */
@@ -108,7 +102,9 @@ gst_timidity_base_init (gpointer gclass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_timidity_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Timidity",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
+      "Midi Synthesizer Element", "Wouter Paesen <wouter@blue-gate.be>");
 }
 
 /* initialize the plugin's class */
diff --git a/ext/timidity/gstwildmidi.c b/ext/timidity/gstwildmidi.c
index 068666ac6..a5e6e2a51 100644
--- a/ext/timidity/gstwildmidi.c
+++ b/ext/timidity/gstwildmidi.c
@@ -61,12 +61,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gst_wildmidi_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_wildmidi_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_wildmidi_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("WildMidi",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
-    "Midi Synthesizer Element",
-    "Wouter Paesen <wouter@blue-gate.be>");
-
 enum
 {
   /* FILL ME */
@@ -129,7 +123,9 @@ gst_wildmidi_base_init (gpointer gclass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_wildmidi_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "WildMidi",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
+      "Midi Synthesizer Element", "Wouter Paesen <wouter@blue-gate.be>");
 }
 
 static gboolean
diff --git a/ext/xvid/gstxviddec.c b/ext/xvid/gstxviddec.c
index 40ec52be1..84a0eaad9 100644
--- a/ext/xvid/gstxviddec.c
+++ b/ext/xvid/gstxviddec.c
@@ -29,13 +29,6 @@
 #include <gst/video/video.h>
 #include "gstxviddec.h"
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_xviddec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("XviD video decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Video",
-    "XviD decoder based on xvidcore",
-    "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -107,7 +100,10 @@ gst_xviddec_base_init (GstXvidDecClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_xviddec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "XviD video decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video",
+      "XviD decoder based on xvidcore",
+      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/ext/xvid/gstxvidenc.c b/ext/xvid/gstxvidenc.c
index c5598595d..304fad7a1 100644
--- a/ext/xvid/gstxvidenc.c
+++ b/ext/xvid/gstxvidenc.c
@@ -36,13 +36,6 @@
 #include <gst/video/video.h>
 #include "gstxvidenc.h"
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_xvidenc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("XviD video encoder",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Video",
-    "XviD encoder based on xvidcore",
-    "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -228,7 +221,10 @@ gst_xvidenc_base_init (GstXvidEncClass * klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_xvidenc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "XviD video encoder",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Video",
+      "XviD encoder based on xvidcore",
+      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
 }
 
 /* add property pspec to klass using the counter count,
diff --git a/ext/zbar/gstzbar.c b/ext/zbar/gstzbar.c
index ce7e0e39a..d1d316827 100644
--- a/ext/zbar/gstzbar.c
+++ b/ext/zbar/gstzbar.c
@@ -106,12 +106,6 @@ enum
 
 #define DEFAULT_PROP_ZBAR  1
 
-static const GstElementDetails zbar_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Barcode detector",
-    "Filter/Analyzer/Video",
-    "Detect bar codes in the video streams",
-    "Stefan Kost <ensonic@users.sf.net>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_zbar_src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -147,7 +141,10 @@ gst_zbar_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &zbar_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Barcode detector",
+      "Filter/Analyzer/Video",
+      "Detect bar codes in the video streams",
+      "Stefan Kost <ensonic@users.sf.net>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_zbar_sink_template));
diff --git a/gst-libs/gst/app/gstappsink.c b/gst-libs/gst/app/gstappsink.c
index 79b1b843b..d738a11b5 100644
--- a/gst-libs/gst/app/gstappsink.c
+++ b/gst-libs/gst/app/gstappsink.c
@@ -75,12 +75,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY (app_sink_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT app_sink_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails app_sink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("AppSink",
-    "Generic/Sink",
-    "Allow the application to get access to raw buffer",
-    "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>, Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
-
 enum
 {
   /* signals */
@@ -179,7 +173,10 @@ gst_app_sink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (app_sink_debug, "appsink", 0, "appsink element");
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &app_sink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "AppSink",
+      "Generic/Sink",
+      "Allow the application to get access to raw buffer",
+      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>, Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_app_sink_template));
diff --git a/gst-libs/gst/app/gstappsrc.c b/gst-libs/gst/app/gstappsrc.c
index 9cf1afc33..05f682a5d 100644
--- a/gst-libs/gst/app/gstappsrc.c
+++ b/gst-libs/gst/app/gstappsrc.c
@@ -99,11 +99,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY (app_src_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT app_src_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails app_src_details = GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("AppSrc",
-    "Generic/Src",
-    "Allow the application to feed buffers to a pipeline",
-    "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>, Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
-
 enum
 {
   /* signals */
@@ -212,7 +207,10 @@ gst_app_src_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (app_src_debug, "appsrc", 0, "appsrc element");
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &app_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "AppSrc",
+      "Generic/Src",
+      "Allow the application to feed buffers to a pipeline",
+      "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>, Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_app_src_template));
@@ -1135,6 +1133,7 @@ gst_app_src_uri_get_protocols (void)
 
   return protocols;
 }
+
 static const gchar *
 gst_app_src_uri_get_uri (GstURIHandler * handler)
 {
diff --git a/gst/adpcmdec/adpcmdec.c b/gst/adpcmdec/adpcmdec.c
index 905f3b772..34e4f3ae9 100644
--- a/gst/adpcmdec/adpcmdec.c
+++ b/gst/adpcmdec/adpcmdec.c
@@ -39,12 +39,6 @@
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT adpcmdec_debug
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (adpcmdec_debug);
 
-static const GstElementDetails adpcmdec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("ADPCM decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
-    "Decode MS and IMA ADPCM audio",
-    "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate adpcmdec_sink_template =
     GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -571,7 +565,10 @@ adpcmdec_base_init (gpointer klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&adpcmdec_sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&adpcmdec_src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &adpcmdec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "ADPCM decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
+      "Decode MS and IMA ADPCM audio",
+      "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com");
 }
 
 static gboolean
diff --git a/gst/adpcmenc/adpcmenc.c b/gst/adpcmenc/adpcmenc.c
index d91d496c4..89b83341b 100644
--- a/gst/adpcmenc/adpcmenc.c
+++ b/gst/adpcmenc/adpcmenc.c
@@ -42,12 +42,6 @@
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT adpcmenc_debug
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (adpcmenc_debug);
 
-static const GstElementDetails adpcmenc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("ADPCM encoder",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Audio",
-    "Encode ADPCM audio",
-    "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate adpcmenc_sink_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -552,7 +546,10 @@ adpcmenc_base_init (gpointer klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&adpcmenc_sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&adpcmenc_src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &adpcmenc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "ADPCM encoder",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Audio",
+      "Encode ADPCM audio",
+      "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com");
 }
 
 static gboolean
diff --git a/gst/asfmux/gstasfmux.c b/gst/asfmux/gstasfmux.c
index 74424ff6d..0a6ad571b 100644
--- a/gst/asfmux/gstasfmux.c
+++ b/gst/asfmux/gstasfmux.c
@@ -127,12 +127,6 @@ typedef GstAsfExtContDescData GstAsfMetadataObjData;
 #define DEFAULT_PADDING 0
 #define DEFAULT_IS_LIVE FALSE
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_asf_mux_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("ASF muxer",
-    "Codec/Muxer",
-    "Muxes audio and video into an ASF stream",
-    "Thiago Santos <thiagoss@embedded.ufcg.edu.br>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate src_factory = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -249,7 +243,10 @@ gst_asf_mux_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&video_sink_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_asf_mux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "ASF muxer",
+      "Codec/Muxer",
+      "Muxes audio and video into an ASF stream",
+      "Thiago Santos <thiagoss@embedded.ufcg.edu.br>");
 
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (asfmux_debug, "asfmux", 0, "Muxer for ASF streams");
 }
diff --git a/gst/asfmux/gstasfparse.c b/gst/asfmux/gstasfparse.c
index 8e76a3ccc..44b2acbe9 100644
--- a/gst/asfmux/gstasfparse.c
+++ b/gst/asfmux/gstasfparse.c
@@ -35,12 +35,6 @@ enum
   PROP_0,
 };
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_asf_parse_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("ASF parser",
-    "Parser",
-    "Parses ASF",
-    "Thiago Santos <thiagoss@embedded.ufcg.edu.br>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate src_factory = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -490,7 +484,8 @@ gst_asf_parse_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_asf_parse_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "ASF parser",
+      "Parser", "Parses ASF", "Thiago Santos <thiagoss@embedded.ufcg.edu.br>");
 
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (asfparse_debug, "asfparse", 0,
       "Parser for ASF streams");
diff --git a/gst/asfmux/gstrtpasfpay.c b/gst/asfmux/gstrtpasfpay.c
index 302cf3e23..1e616546e 100644
--- a/gst/asfmux/gstrtpasfpay.c
+++ b/gst/asfmux/gstrtpasfpay.c
@@ -34,13 +34,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (rtpasfpay_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT (rtpasfpay_debug)
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_rtp_asf_pay_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("RTP ASF payloader",
-    "Codec/Payloader/Network",
-    "Payload-encodes ASF into RTP packets (MS_RTSP)",
-    "Thiago Santos <thiagoss@embedded.ufcg.edu.br>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_rtp_asf_pay_sink_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -96,7 +89,10 @@ gst_rtp_asf_pay_base_init (gpointer klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_rtp_asf_pay_sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_rtp_asf_pay_src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_rtp_asf_pay_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "RTP ASF payloader",
+      "Codec/Payloader/Network",
+      "Payload-encodes ASF into RTP packets (MS_RTSP)",
+      "Thiago Santos <thiagoss@embedded.ufcg.edu.br>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/audiobuffer/gstaudioringbuffer.c b/gst/audiobuffer/gstaudioringbuffer.c
index 19a9c48bf..e3bc47a56 100644
--- a/gst/audiobuffer/gstaudioringbuffer.c
+++ b/gst/audiobuffer/gstaudioringbuffer.c
@@ -39,12 +39,6 @@
 
 #include <gst/audio/gstringbuffer.h>
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_audio_ringbuffer_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("AudioRingbuffer",
-    "Generic",
-    "Asynchronous Audio ringbuffer",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sinktemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -331,8 +325,9 @@ gst_audio_ringbuffer_class_init (GstAudioRingbufferClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (gstelement_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sinktemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (gstelement_class,
-      &gst_audio_ringbuffer_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (gstelement_class, "AudioRingbuffer",
+      "Generic",
+      "Asynchronous Audio ringbuffer", "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
 
   /* set several parent class virtual functions */
   gobject_class->finalize = GST_DEBUG_FUNCPTR (gst_audio_ringbuffer_finalize);
diff --git a/gst/audioparsers/gstaacparse.c b/gst/audioparsers/gstaacparse.c
index db63c5a51..d5a72d511 100644
--- a/gst/audioparsers/gstaacparse.c
+++ b/gst/audioparsers/gstaacparse.c
@@ -128,17 +128,15 @@ static void
 gst_aacparse_base_init (gpointer klass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
-  GstElementDetails details = GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("AAC audio stream parser",
-      "Codec/Parser/Audio",
-      "Advanced Audio Coding parser",
-      "Stefan Kost <stefan.kost@nokia.com>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "AAC audio stream parser", "Codec/Parser/Audio",
+      "Advanced Audio Coding parser", "Stefan Kost <stefan.kost@nokia.com>");
 }
 
 
diff --git a/gst/audioparsers/gstamrparse.c b/gst/audioparsers/gstamrparse.c
index 0266ee875..313c74dc5 100644
--- a/gst/audioparsers/gstamrparse.c
+++ b/gst/audioparsers/gstamrparse.c
@@ -105,17 +105,16 @@ static void
 gst_amrparse_base_init (gpointer klass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
-  GstElementDetails details = GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("AMR audio stream parser",
-      "Codec/Parser/Audio",
-      "Adaptive Multi-Rate audio parser",
-      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "AMR audio stream parser", "Codec/Parser/Audio",
+      "Adaptive Multi-Rate audio parser",
+      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
 }
 
 
diff --git a/gst/bayer/gstbayer2rgb.c b/gst/bayer/gstbayer2rgb.c
index ec2dadb1a..153846503 100644
--- a/gst/bayer/gstbayer2rgb.c
+++ b/gst/bayer/gstbayer2rgb.c
@@ -115,12 +115,6 @@ struct _GstBayer2RGBClass
   GstBaseTransformClass parent;
 };
 
-static const GstElementDetails element_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Bayer to RGB decoder for cameras",
-    "Filter/Converter/Video",
-    "Converts video/x-raw-bayer to video/x-raw-rgb",
-    "William Brack <wbrack@mmm.com.hk>");
-
 //#define SRC_CAPS GST_VIDEO_CAPS_RGBx
 #define	SRC_CAPS                                 \
   GST_VIDEO_CAPS_RGBx ";"                        \
@@ -168,7 +162,10 @@ gst_bayer2rgb_base_init (gpointer klass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Bayer to RGB decoder for cameras", "Filter/Converter/Video",
+      "Converts video/x-raw-bayer to video/x-raw-rgb",
+      "William Brack <wbrack@mmm.com.hk>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_pad_template_new ("src", GST_PAD_SRC, GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
diff --git a/gst/camerabin/camerabinimage.c b/gst/camerabin/camerabinimage.c
index 0defb6367..95a74dbfb 100644
--- a/gst/camerabin/camerabinimage.c
+++ b/gst/camerabin/camerabinimage.c
@@ -85,13 +85,6 @@ static void gst_camerabin_image_get_property (GObject * object, guint prop_id,
 
 GST_BOILERPLATE (GstCameraBinImage, gst_camerabin_image, GstBin, GST_TYPE_BIN);
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_camerabin_image_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Image capture bin for camerabin",
-    "Bin/Image",
-    "Process and store image data",
-    "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>\n"
-    "Nokia Corporation <multimedia@maemo.org>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -111,7 +104,11 @@ gst_camerabin_image_base_init (gpointer klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (eklass,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (eklass, &gst_camerabin_image_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (eklass,
+      "Image capture bin for camerabin", "Bin/Image",
+      "Process and store image data",
+      "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>, "
+      "Nokia Corporation <multimedia@maemo.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/camerabin/camerabinvideo.c b/gst/camerabin/camerabinvideo.c
index 4796fc835..e88f2aafc 100644
--- a/gst/camerabin/camerabinvideo.c
+++ b/gst/camerabin/camerabinvideo.c
@@ -102,13 +102,6 @@ static void gst_camerabin_video_destroy_elements (GstCameraBinVideo * vid);
 
 GST_BOILERPLATE (GstCameraBinVideo, gst_camerabin_video, GstBin, GST_TYPE_BIN);
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_camerabin_video_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Video capture bin for camerabin",
-    "Bin/Video",
-    "Process and store video data",
-    "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>\n"
-    "Nokia Corporation <multimedia@maemo.org>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -131,7 +124,11 @@ gst_camerabin_video_base_init (gpointer klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (eklass,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (eklass, &gst_camerabin_video_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (eklass,
+      "Video capture bin for camerabin", "Bin/Video",
+      "Process and store video data",
+      "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>, "
+      "Nokia Corporation <multimedia@maemo.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/camerabin/gstcamerabin.c b/gst/camerabin/gstcamerabin.c
index cf02ad075..1b1929d81 100644
--- a/gst/camerabin/gstcamerabin.c
+++ b/gst/camerabin/gstcamerabin.c
@@ -2346,16 +2346,13 @@ gst_camerabin_adapt_image_capture (GstCameraBin * camera, GstCaps * in_caps)
 static void
 gst_camerabin_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "Camera Bin",
-    "Generic/Bin/Camera",
-    "Handle lot of features present in DSC",
-    "Nokia Corporation <multimedia@maemo.org>\n"
-        "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>"
-  };
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Camera Bin",
+      "Generic/Bin/Camera",
+      "Handle lot of features present in DSC",
+      "Nokia Corporation <multimedia@maemo.org>, "
+      "Edgard Lima <edgard.lima@indt.org.br>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/cdxaparse/gstcdxaparse.c b/gst/cdxaparse/gstcdxaparse.c
index 466e287f9..dda0d4ff1 100644
--- a/gst/cdxaparse/gstcdxaparse.c
+++ b/gst/cdxaparse/gstcdxaparse.c
@@ -65,14 +65,12 @@ static void
 gst_cdxa_parse_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
-  static const GstElementDetails gst_cdxa_parse_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("(S)VCD parser",
+
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "(S)VCD parser",
       "Codec/Parser",
       "Parse a .dat file from (S)VCD into raw MPEG-1",
       "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@tvd.be>");
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_cdxa_parse_details);
-
   /* register src pads */
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template_factory));
diff --git a/gst/chart/gstchart.c b/gst/chart/gstchart.c
index 775e37cc6..4e818b62a 100644
--- a/gst/chart/gstchart.c
+++ b/gst/chart/gstchart.c
@@ -62,14 +62,6 @@ struct _GstChartClass
 
 GType gst_chart_get_type (void);
 
-
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_chart_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Chart drawer",
-    "Visualization",
-    "Takes frames of data and outputs video frames of a chart of data",
-    "Richard Boulton <richard@tartarus.org>");
-
 /* signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -150,7 +142,10 @@ gst_chart_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_chart_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Chart drawer",
+      "Visualization",
+      "Takes frames of data and outputs video frames of a chart of data",
+      "Richard Boulton <richard@tartarus.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/colorspace/gstcolorspace.c b/gst/colorspace/gstcolorspace.c
index 59339bf61..9c07644f3 100644
--- a/gst/colorspace/gstcolorspace.c
+++ b/gst/colorspace/gstcolorspace.c
@@ -44,12 +44,6 @@ static GstColorspaceConverter gst_colorspace_converters[] = {
   {GST_COLORSPACE_YV12, GST_COLORSPACE_RGB16, gst_colorspace_YV12_to_rgb16},
 };
 
-static const GstElementDetails colorspace_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Colorspace converter",
-    "Filter/Converter/Video",
-    "Converts video from YUV to RGB",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_colorspace_sink_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -490,7 +484,9 @@ gst_colorspace_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_colorspace_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &colorspace_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Colorspace converter",
+      "Filter/Converter/Video",
+      "Converts video from YUV to RGB", "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/dccp/gstdccpclientsink.c b/gst/dccp/gstdccpclientsink.c
index 4c1fd50f0..ed7f462a9 100644
--- a/gst/dccp/gstdccpclientsink.c
+++ b/gst/dccp/gstdccpclientsink.c
@@ -76,12 +76,6 @@ static GstFlowReturn gst_dccp_client_sink_render (GstBaseSink * bsink,
 
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (dccpclientsink_debug);
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dccp_client_sink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("DCCP client sink",
-    "Sink/Network",
-    "Send data as a client over the network via DCCP",
-    "E-Phone Team at Federal University of Campina Grande <leandroal@gmail.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sinktemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -237,7 +231,10 @@ gst_dccp_client_sink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sinktemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dccp_client_sink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "DCCP client sink",
+      "Sink/Network",
+      "Send data as a client over the network via DCCP",
+      "E-Phone Team at Federal University of Campina Grande <leandroal@gmail.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/dccp/gstdccpclientsrc.c b/gst/dccp/gstdccpclientsrc.c
index 4cb33e7c7..a07d5e59d 100644
--- a/gst/dccp/gstdccpclientsrc.c
+++ b/gst/dccp/gstdccpclientsrc.c
@@ -81,12 +81,6 @@ static gboolean gst_dccp_client_src_stop (GstBaseSrc * bsrc);
 
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (dccpclientsrc_debug);
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dccp_client_src_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("DCCP client source",
-    "Source/Network",
-    "Receive data as a client over the network via DCCP",
-    "E-Phone Team at Federal University of Campina Grande <leandroal@gmail.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate srctemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -281,7 +275,10 @@ gst_dccp_client_src_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&srctemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dccp_client_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "DCCP client source",
+      "Source/Network",
+      "Receive data as a client over the network via DCCP",
+      "E-Phone Team at Federal University of Campina Grande <leandroal@gmail.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/dccp/gstdccpserversink.c b/gst/dccp/gstdccpserversink.c
index e8f8a04f5..23282b1eb 100644
--- a/gst/dccp/gstdccpserversink.c
+++ b/gst/dccp/gstdccpserversink.c
@@ -78,13 +78,6 @@ static gboolean gst_dccp_server_sink_stop (GstBaseSink * bsink);
 
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (dccpserversink_debug);
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dccp_server_sink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("DCCP server sink",
-    "Sink/Network",
-    "Send data as a server over the network via DCCP",
-    "E-Phone Team at Federal University of Campina Grande <leandroal@gmail.com>");
-
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sinktemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -337,7 +330,10 @@ gst_dccp_server_sink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sinktemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dccp_server_sink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "DCCP server sink",
+      "Sink/Network",
+      "Send data as a server over the network via DCCP",
+      "E-Phone Team at Federal University of Campina Grande <leandroal@gmail.com>");
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/gst/dccp/gstdccpserversrc.c b/gst/dccp/gstdccpserversrc.c
index 4c344e422..16cd38241 100644
--- a/gst/dccp/gstdccpserversrc.c
+++ b/gst/dccp/gstdccpserversrc.c
@@ -76,12 +76,6 @@ static gboolean gst_dccp_server_src_stop (GstBaseSrc * bsrc);
 
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (dccpserversrc_debug);
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dccp_server_src_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("DCCP server source",
-    "Source/Network",
-    "Receive data as a server over the network via DCCP",
-    "E-Phone Team at Federal University of Campina Grande <leandroal@gmail.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate srctemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -271,7 +265,10 @@ gst_dccp_server_src_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&srctemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dccp_server_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "DCCP server source",
+      "Source/Network",
+      "Receive data as a server over the network via DCCP",
+      "E-Phone Team at Federal University of Campina Grande <leandroal@gmail.com>");
 }
 
 
diff --git a/gst/debugutils/fpsdisplaysink.c b/gst/debugutils/fpsdisplaysink.c
index 2521ca637..7c97dfb13 100644
--- a/gst/debugutils/fpsdisplaysink.c
+++ b/gst/debugutils/fpsdisplaysink.c
@@ -56,13 +56,6 @@
 #define FPS_DISPLAY_INTERVAL_MS 500     /* 500 ms */
 #define DEFAULT_FONT "Sans 20"
 
-static GstElementDetails fps_display_sink_details = {
-  "Measure and show framerate on videosink",
-  "Sink/Video",
-  "Shows the current frame-rate and drop-rate of the videosink as overlay or text on stdout",
-  "Zeeshan Ali <zeeshan.ali@nokia.com>, Stefan Kost <stefan.kost@nokia.com>"
-};
-
 /* generic templates */
 static GstStaticPadTemplate fps_display_sink_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
@@ -127,7 +120,10 @@ fps_display_sink_class_init (GstFPSDisplaySinkClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (gstelement_klass,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&fps_display_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (gstelement_klass, &fps_display_sink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (gstelement_klass,
+      "Measure and show framerate on videosink", "Sink/Video",
+      "Shows the current frame-rate and drop-rate of the videosink as overlay or text on stdout",
+      "Zeeshan Ali <zeeshan.ali@nokia.com>, Stefan Kost <stefan.kost@nokia.com>");
 }
 
 static gboolean
diff --git a/gst/debugutils/gstcapssetter.c b/gst/debugutils/gstcapssetter.c
index 12077c0de..9489268ce 100644
--- a/gst/debugutils/gstcapssetter.c
+++ b/gst/debugutils/gstcapssetter.c
@@ -83,12 +83,6 @@ enum
 #define DEFAULT_JOIN              TRUE
 #define DEFAULT_REPLACE           FALSE
 
-static GstElementDetails caps_setter_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("CapsSetter",
-    "Generic",
-    "Set/merge caps on stream",
-    "Mark Nauwelaerts <mnauw@users.sourceforge.net>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_caps_setter_src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE (GST_BASE_TRANSFORM_SRC_NAME,
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -125,7 +119,10 @@ gst_caps_setter_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &caps_setter_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "CapsSetter",
+      "Generic",
+      "Set/merge caps on stream",
+      "Mark Nauwelaerts <mnauw@users.sourceforge.net>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_caps_setter_sink_template));
diff --git a/gst/dtmf/gstdtmfdetect.c b/gst/dtmf/gstdtmfdetect.c
index 5cb7c2cab..cf8c058b1 100644
--- a/gst/dtmf/gstdtmfdetect.c
+++ b/gst/dtmf/gstdtmfdetect.c
@@ -84,14 +84,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY (dtmf_detect_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT (dtmf_detect_debug)
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dtmf_detect_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("DTMF detector element",
-    "Detect",
-    "This element detects DTMF tones",
-    "Olivier Crete <olivier.crete@collabora.co.uk>");
-
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sinktemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -148,7 +140,10 @@ gst_dtmf_detect_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sinktemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dtmf_detect_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "DTMF detector element",
+      "Detect",
+      "This element detects DTMF tones",
+      "Olivier Crete <olivier.crete@collabora.co.uk>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/dtmf/gstdtmfsrc.c b/gst/dtmf/gstdtmfsrc.c
index 39699d840..f1244b62b 100644
--- a/gst/dtmf/gstdtmfsrc.c
+++ b/gst/dtmf/gstdtmfsrc.c
@@ -194,13 +194,6 @@ enum
   DTMF_KEY_EVENT_D = 15,
 };
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dtmf_src_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("DTMF tone generator",
-    "Source/Audio",
-    "Generates DTMF tones",
-    "Youness Alaoui <youness.alaoui@collabora.co.uk>");
-
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gst_dtmf_src_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_dtmf_src_debug
 
@@ -253,7 +246,10 @@ gst_dtmf_src_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_dtmf_src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dtmf_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "DTMF tone generator",
+      "Source/Audio",
+      "Generates DTMF tones",
+      "Youness Alaoui <youness.alaoui@collabora.co.uk>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/dtmf/gstrtpdtmfdepay.c b/gst/dtmf/gstrtpdtmfdepay.c
index 7cdfabfe7..9f5ae9278 100644
--- a/gst/dtmf/gstrtpdtmfdepay.c
+++ b/gst/dtmf/gstrtpdtmfdepay.c
@@ -164,13 +164,6 @@ enum
   DTMF_KEY_EVENT_D = 15,
 };
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_rtp_dtmfdepay_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("RTP DTMF packet depayloader",
-    "Codec/Depayloader/Network",
-    "Generates DTMF Sound from telephone-event RTP packets",
-    "Youness Alaoui <youness.alaoui@collabora.co.uk>");
-
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gst_rtp_dtmf_depay_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_rtp_dtmf_depay_debug
 
@@ -242,7 +235,10 @@ gst_rtp_dtmf_depay_base_init (gpointer klass)
 
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (gst_rtp_dtmf_depay_debug,
       "rtpdtmfdepay", 0, "rtpdtmfdepay element");
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_rtp_dtmfdepay_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "RTP DTMF packet depayloader", "Codec/Depayloader/Network",
+      "Generates DTMF Sound from telephone-event RTP packets",
+      "Youness Alaoui <youness.alaoui@collabora.co.uk>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/dtmf/gstrtpdtmfsrc.c b/gst/dtmf/gstrtpdtmfsrc.c
index 65d0ce8c1..0018cb2b9 100644
--- a/gst/dtmf/gstrtpdtmfsrc.c
+++ b/gst/dtmf/gstrtpdtmfsrc.c
@@ -144,13 +144,6 @@
 #define MIN_PACKET_REDUNDANCY 1
 #define MAX_PACKET_REDUNDANCY 5
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_rtp_dtmf_src_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("RTP DTMF packet generator",
-    "Source/Network",
-    "Generates RTP DTMF packets",
-    "Zeeshan Ali <zeeshan.ali@nokia.com>");
-
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gst_rtp_dtmf_src_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_rtp_dtmf_src_debug
 
@@ -228,7 +221,9 @@ gst_rtp_dtmf_src_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_rtp_dtmf_src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_rtp_dtmf_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "RTP DTMF packet generator", "Source/Network",
+      "Generates RTP DTMF packets", "Zeeshan Ali <zeeshan.ali@nokia.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/dvdspu/gstdvdspu.c b/gst/dvdspu/gstdvdspu.c
index fd51e262d..e4ded0535 100644
--- a/gst/dvdspu/gstdvdspu.c
+++ b/gst/dvdspu/gstdvdspu.c
@@ -116,12 +116,6 @@ static void gst_dvd_spu_handle_dvd_event (GstDVDSpu * dvdspu, GstEvent * event);
 static void
 gst_dvd_spu_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails element_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("GStreamer Sub-picture Overlay",
-      "Mixer/Video/Overlay/SubPicture/DVD/Bluray",
-      "Parses Sub-Picture command streams and renders the SPU overlay "
-      "onto the video as it passes through",
-      "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>");
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -130,7 +124,11 @@ gst_dvd_spu_base_init (gpointer gclass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&video_sink_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&subpic_sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Sub-picture Overlay",
+      "Mixer/Video/Overlay/SubPicture/DVD/Bluray",
+      "Parses Sub-Picture command streams and renders the SPU overlay "
+      "onto the video as it passes through",
+      "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@noraisin.net>");
 
   element_class->change_state = gst_dvd_spu_change_state;
 }
diff --git a/gst/festival/gstfestival.c b/gst/festival/gstfestival.c
index 7d919b90f..de76a5826 100644
--- a/gst/festival/gstfestival.c
+++ b/gst/festival/gstfestival.c
@@ -122,13 +122,6 @@ static FT_Info *festival_default_info (void);
 static char *socket_receive_file_to_buff (int fd, int *size);
 static char *client_accept_s_expr (int fd);
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_festival_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Festival Text-to-Speech synthesizer",
-    "Filter/Effect/Audio",
-    "Synthesizes plain text into audio",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_template_factory =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -196,7 +189,10 @@ gst_festival_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_festival_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Festival Text-to-Speech synthesizer", "Filter/Effect/Audio",
+      "Synthesizes plain text into audio",
+      "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/filter/gstiir.c b/gst/filter/gstiir.c
index cf37256ca..a341a9496 100644
--- a/gst/filter/gstiir.c
+++ b/gst/filter/gstiir.c
@@ -35,14 +35,6 @@
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_iir_debug
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (GST_CAT_DEFAULT);
 
-static const GstElementDetails iir_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter",
-    "Filter/Effect/Audio",
-    "IIR filter based on vorbis code",
-    "Monty <monty@xiph.org>, "
-    "Thomas Vander Stichele <thomas at apestaart dot org>, "
-    "Dreamlab Technologies Ltd. <mathis.hofer@dreamlab.net>");
-
 /* Filter signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -110,7 +102,12 @@ gst_iir_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&iir_src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&iir_sink_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &iir_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter", "Filter/Effect/Audio",
+      "IIR filter based on vorbis code",
+      "Monty <monty@xiph.org>, "
+      "Thomas Vander Stichele <thomas at apestaart dot org>, "
+      "Dreamlab Technologies Ltd. <mathis.hofer@dreamlab.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/freeze/gstfreeze.c b/gst/freeze/gstfreeze.c
index d55498839..a721eab2b 100644
--- a/gst/freeze/gstfreeze.c
+++ b/gst/freeze/gstfreeze.c
@@ -46,14 +46,6 @@ enum
   ARG_MAX_BUFFERS,
 };
 
-
-static const GstElementDetails freeze_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Stream freezer",
-    "Generic",
-    "Makes a stream from buffers of data",
-    "Gergely Nagy <gergely.nagy@neteyes.hu>,"
-    " Renato Filho <renato.filho@indt.org.br>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_freeze_src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -92,7 +84,11 @@ gst_freeze_base_init (gpointer klass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &freeze_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Stream freezer",
+      "Generic",
+      "Makes a stream from buffers of data",
+      "Gergely Nagy <gergely.nagy@neteyes.hu>,"
+      " Renato Filho <renato.filho@indt.org.br>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_freeze_sink_template));
diff --git a/gst/games/gstpuzzle.c b/gst/games/gstpuzzle.c
index 5283b6b76..9e35f0424 100644
--- a/gst/games/gstpuzzle.c
+++ b/gst/games/gstpuzzle.c
@@ -120,17 +120,16 @@ gst_puzzle_get_type (void)
 static void
 gst_puzzle_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  static const GstElementDetails puzzle_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("A simple puzzle",
-      "Filter/Effect/Video/Games",
-      "A simple puzzle, use arrow keys and space to restart/solve",
-      "Benjamin Otte <otte@gnome.org>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
   GstVideofilterClass *videofilter_class = GST_VIDEOFILTER_CLASS (g_class);
   int i;
   GstVideofilterFormat *f;
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &puzzle_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "A simple puzzle",
+      "Filter/Effect/Video/Games",
+      "A simple puzzle, use arrow keys and space to restart/solve",
+      "Benjamin Otte <otte@gnome.org>");
 
   for (i = 0; i < gst_video_format_count; i++) {
     f = g_new0 (GstVideofilterFormat, 1);
diff --git a/gst/h264parse/gsth264parse.c b/gst/h264parse/gsth264parse.c
index 66458ae58..806c5ab5a 100644
--- a/gst/h264parse/gsth264parse.c
+++ b/gst/h264parse/gsth264parse.c
@@ -46,13 +46,6 @@ static GstStaticPadTemplate srctemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (h264_parse_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT h264_parse_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_h264_parse_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("H264Parse",
-    "Codec/Parser/Video",
-    "Parses raw h264 stream",
-    "Michal Benes <michal.benes@itonis.tv>,"
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
-
 #define DEFAULT_SPLIT_PACKETIZED     FALSE
 #define DEFAULT_ACCESS_UNIT          FALSE
 #define DEFAULT_OUTPUT_FORMAT        GST_H264_PARSE_FORMAT_INPUT
@@ -896,7 +889,11 @@ gst_h264_parse_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&srctemplate));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (gstelement_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sinktemplate));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (gstelement_class, &gst_h264_parse_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (gstelement_class, "H264Parse",
+      "Codec/Parser/Video",
+      "Parses raw h264 stream",
+      "Michal Benes <michal.benes@itonis.tv>,"
+      "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
 
   GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_INIT (h264_parse_debug, "h264parse", 0, "h264 parser");
 }
diff --git a/gst/hdvparse/gsthdvparse.c b/gst/hdvparse/gsthdvparse.c
index 03b77747d..9a610f7cb 100644
--- a/gst/hdvparse/gsthdvparse.c
+++ b/gst/hdvparse/gsthdvparse.c
@@ -113,19 +113,16 @@ static GstCaps *gst_hdvparse_transform_caps (GstBaseTransform * trans,
 static void
 gst_hdvparse_base_init (gpointer klass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "HDVParser",
-    "Data/Parser",
-    "HDV private stream Parser",
-    "Edward Hervey <bilboed@bilboed.com>"
-  };
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "HDVParser",
+      "Data/Parser",
+      "HDV private stream Parser", "Edward Hervey <bilboed@bilboed.com>");
 }
 
 /* initialize the HDVParse's class */
diff --git a/gst/invtelecine/gstinvtelecine.c b/gst/invtelecine/gstinvtelecine.c
index be9d56a45..753957f10 100644
--- a/gst/invtelecine/gstinvtelecine.c
+++ b/gst/invtelecine/gstinvtelecine.c
@@ -144,14 +144,13 @@ gst_invtelecine_get_type (void)
 static void
 gst_invtelecine_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  static const GstElementDetails invtelecine_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("H.264 Decoder",
+
+  GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
+
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "H.264 Decoder",
       "Codec/Decoder/Video",
       "Decode H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video streams",
       "Entropy Wave <ds@entropywave.com>");
-  GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
-
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &invtelecine_details);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_invtelecine_sink_template));
diff --git a/gst/legacyresample/gstlegacyresample.c b/gst/legacyresample/gstlegacyresample.c
index cbcd6fddc..95c924eae 100644
--- a/gst/legacyresample/gstlegacyresample.c
+++ b/gst/legacyresample/gstlegacyresample.c
@@ -51,13 +51,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (legacyresample_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT legacyresample_debug
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_legacyresample_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Audio scaler",
-    "Filter/Converter/Audio",
-    "Resample audio",
-    "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
-
 #define DEFAULT_FILTERLEN       16
 
 enum
@@ -147,7 +140,9 @@ gst_legacyresample_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (gstelement_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_legacyresample_sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (gstelement_class, &gst_legacyresample_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (gstelement_class, "Audio scaler",
+      "Filter/Converter/Audio",
+      "Resample audio", "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/librfb/gstrfbsrc.c b/gst/librfb/gstrfbsrc.c
index 5edd9f0a9..151aaa495 100644
--- a/gst/librfb/gstrfbsrc.c
+++ b/gst/librfb/gstrfbsrc.c
@@ -55,14 +55,6 @@ GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (rfbsrc_debug);
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY (rfbdecoder_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT rfbsrc_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_rfb_src_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Rfb source",
-    "Source/Video",
-    "Creates a rfb video stream",
-    "David A. Schleef <ds@schleef.org>, "
-    "Andre Moreira Magalhaes <andre.magalhaes@indt.org.br>, "
-    "Thijs Vermeir <thijsvermeir@gmail.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_rfb_src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -102,7 +94,12 @@ gst_rfb_src_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_rfb_src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_rfb_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Rfb source",
+      "Source/Video",
+      "Creates a rfb video stream",
+      "David A. Schleef <ds@schleef.org>, "
+      "Andre Moreira Magalhaes <andre.magalhaes@indt.org.br>, "
+      "Thijs Vermeir <thijsvermeir@gmail.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/liveadder/liveadder.c b/gst/liveadder/liveadder.c
index 25fa40639..cfd8055f5 100644
--- a/gst/liveadder/liveadder.c
+++ b/gst/liveadder/liveadder.c
@@ -53,14 +53,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (live_adder_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT (live_adder_debug)
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_live_adder_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Live Adder element",
-    "Generic/Audio",
-    "Mixes live/discontinuous audio streams",
-    "Olivier Crete <olivier.crete@collabora.co.uk>");
-
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_live_adder_sink_template =
     GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink%d",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -181,7 +173,10 @@ gst_live_adder_class_init (GstLiveAdderClass * klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_live_adder_src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (gstelement_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_live_adder_sink_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (gstelement_class, &gst_live_adder_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (gstelement_class, "Live Adder element",
+      "Generic/Audio",
+      "Mixes live/discontinuous audio streams",
+      "Olivier Crete <olivier.crete@collabora.co.uk>");
 
   parent_class = g_type_class_peek_parent (klass);
 
diff --git a/gst/mixmatrix/mixmatrix.c b/gst/mixmatrix/mixmatrix.c
index 93ca2ab8f..f156da1a2 100644
--- a/gst/mixmatrix/mixmatrix.c
+++ b/gst/mixmatrix/mixmatrix.c
@@ -67,13 +67,6 @@ struct _GstMixMatrixClass
   void (*resize) (GstMixMatrix * mix);
 };
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails mixmatrix_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Mixing Matrix",
-    "Filter/Editor/Audio",
-    "Mix N audio channels together into M channels",
-    "Erik Walthinsen <omega@temple-baptist.com>");
-
 enum
 {
   /* FILL ME */
@@ -122,6 +115,7 @@ static GstPadLinkReturn gst_mixmatrix_connect (GstPad * pad,
 static void gst_mixmatrix_loop (GstElement * element);
 
 static guint gst_mixmatrix_signals[LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
+
 static GstElementClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
 GType
@@ -158,7 +152,10 @@ gst_mixmatrix_base_init (GstMixMatrixClass * klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&mixmatrix_sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&mixmatrix_src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &mixmatrix_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Mixing Matrix",
+      "Filter/Editor/Audio",
+      "Mix N audio channels together into M channels",
+      "Erik Walthinsen <omega@temple-baptist.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/mpeg1sys/gstmpeg1systemencode.c b/gst/mpeg1sys/gstmpeg1systemencode.c
index 64089567e..db6c7a41b 100644
--- a/gst/mpeg1sys/gstmpeg1systemencode.c
+++ b/gst/mpeg1sys/gstmpeg1systemencode.c
@@ -28,15 +28,6 @@
 #include "gstmpeg1systemencode.h"
 #include "main.h"
 
-/*#define GST_DEBUG (b...) g_print (##b) */
-
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails system_encode_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("MPEG-1 muxer",
-    "Codec/Muxer",
-    "Multiplexes MPEG-1 Streams",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
 /* GstMPEG1SystemEncode signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -125,7 +116,9 @@ gst_system_encode_base_init (GstMPEG1SystemEncodeClass * klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&audio_sink_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&video_sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &system_encode_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "MPEG-1 muxer",
+      "Codec/Muxer",
+      "Multiplexes MPEG-1 Streams", "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/mpeg4videoparse/mpeg4videoparse.c b/gst/mpeg4videoparse/mpeg4videoparse.c
index ceafd6f72..bfcf84516 100644
--- a/gst/mpeg4videoparse/mpeg4videoparse.c
+++ b/gst/mpeg4videoparse/mpeg4videoparse.c
@@ -29,13 +29,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (mpeg4v_parse_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT mpeg4v_parse_debug
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static GstElementDetails mpeg4vparse_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("MPEG 4 video elementary stream parser",
-    "Codec/Parser/Video",
-    "Parses MPEG-4 Part 2 elementary video streams",
-    "Julien Moutte <julien@fluendo.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src", GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -859,7 +852,10 @@ gst_mpeg4vparse_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &mpeg4vparse_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "MPEG 4 video elementary stream parser", "Codec/Parser/Video",
+      "Parses MPEG-4 Part 2 elementary video streams",
+      "Julien Moutte <julien@fluendo.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/mpegdemux/gstmpegdemux.c b/gst/mpegdemux/gstmpegdemux.c
index d80995ab7..0b4f242e0 100644
--- a/gst/mpegdemux/gstmpegdemux.c
+++ b/gst/mpegdemux/gstmpegdemux.c
@@ -77,14 +77,6 @@ typedef enum
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gstflupsdemux_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT (gstflupsdemux_debug)
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static GstElementDetails flups_demux_details = {
-  "The Fluendo MPEG Program Stream Demuxer",
-  "Codec/Demuxer",
-  "Demultiplexes MPEG Program Streams",
-  "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>"
-};
-
 #define GST_TYPE_FLUPS_DEMUX_SYNC          (gst_flups_demux_sync_get_type ())
 GType
 gst_flups_demux_sync_get_type (void)
@@ -241,7 +233,9 @@ gst_flups_demux_base_init (GstFluPSDemuxClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class, klass->private_template);
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class, klass->sink_template);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &flups_demux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "The Fluendo MPEG Program Stream Demuxer", "Codec/Demuxer",
+      "Demultiplexes MPEG Program Streams", "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/mpegdemux/gstmpegtsdemux.c b/gst/mpegdemux/gstmpegtsdemux.c
index eb5a05a10..9578f784d 100644
--- a/gst/mpegdemux/gstmpegtsdemux.c
+++ b/gst/mpegdemux/gstmpegtsdemux.c
@@ -76,13 +76,6 @@ GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gstmpegtsdemux_debug);
 #define FORCE_INLINE
 #endif
 
-static GstElementDetails mpegts_demux_details = {
-  "The Fluendo MPEG Transport stream demuxer",
-  "Codec/Demuxer",
-  "Demultiplexes MPEG2 Transport Streams",
-  "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>"
-};
-
 /* MPEG2Demux signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -257,7 +250,9 @@ gst_mpegts_demux_base_init (GstMpegTSDemuxClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class, klass->private_template);
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class, klass->sink_template);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &mpegts_demux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "The Fluendo MPEG Transport stream demuxer", "Codec/Demuxer",
+      "Demultiplexes MPEG2 Transport Streams", "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
 }
 
 static void
@@ -1046,8 +1041,8 @@ gst_mpegts_demux_data_cb (GstPESFilter * filter, gboolean first,
        * to drop. */
       if (stream->PMT_pid <= MPEGTS_MAX_PID && demux->streams[stream->PMT_pid]
           && demux->streams[demux->streams[stream->PMT_pid]->PMT.PCR_PID]
-          && demux->streams[demux->streams[stream->PMT_pid]->PMT.PCR_PID]->
-          discont_PCR) {
+          && demux->streams[demux->streams[stream->PMT_pid]->PMT.
+              PCR_PID]->discont_PCR) {
         GST_WARNING_OBJECT (demux, "middle of discont, dropping");
         goto bad_timestamp;
       }
@@ -1069,8 +1064,8 @@ gst_mpegts_demux_data_cb (GstPESFilter * filter, gboolean first,
          */
         if (stream->PMT_pid <= MPEGTS_MAX_PID && demux->streams[stream->PMT_pid]
             && demux->streams[demux->streams[stream->PMT_pid]->PMT.PCR_PID]
-            && demux->streams[demux->streams[stream->PMT_pid]->PMT.PCR_PID]->
-            last_PCR > 0) {
+            && demux->streams[demux->streams[stream->PMT_pid]->PMT.
+                PCR_PID]->last_PCR > 0) {
           GST_DEBUG_OBJECT (demux, "timestamps wrapped before noticed in PCR");
           time = MPEGTIME_TO_GSTTIME (pts) + stream->base_time +
               MPEGTIME_TO_GSTTIME ((guint64) (1) << 33);
diff --git a/gst/mpegdemux/mpegtsparse.c b/gst/mpegdemux/mpegtsparse.c
index beacc451f..36608fb20 100644
--- a/gst/mpegdemux/mpegtsparse.c
+++ b/gst/mpegdemux/mpegtsparse.c
@@ -82,13 +82,6 @@ static GQuark QUARK_PCR_PID;
 static GQuark QUARK_STREAMS;
 static GQuark QUARK_STREAM_TYPE;
 
-static GstElementDetails mpegts_parse_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("MPEG transport stream parser",
-    "Codec/Parser",
-    "Parses MPEG2 transport streams",
-    "Alessandro Decina <alessandro@nnva.org>\n"
-    "Zaheer Abbas Merali <zaheerabbas at merali dot org>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -228,7 +221,11 @@ mpegts_parse_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&program_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &mpegts_parse_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "MPEG transport stream parser", "Codec/Parser",
+      "Parses MPEG2 transport streams",
+      "Alessandro Decina <alessandro@nnva.org>, "
+      "Zaheer Abbas Merali <zaheerabbas at merali dot org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/mpegpsmux/mpegpsmux.c b/gst/mpegpsmux/mpegpsmux.c
index 59c19aa5b..70f0213e0 100644
--- a/gst/mpegpsmux/mpegpsmux.c
+++ b/gst/mpegpsmux/mpegpsmux.c
@@ -107,12 +107,7 @@ GST_BOILERPLATE (MpegPsMux, mpegpsmux, GstElement, GST_TYPE_ELEMENT);
 static void
 mpegpsmux_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  const GstElementDetails mpegpsmux_details = {
-    "MPEG Program Stream Muxer",
-    "Codec/Muxer",
-    "Multiplexes media streams into an MPEG Program Stream",
-    "Lin YANG <oxcsnicho@gmail.com>"
-  };
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -120,7 +115,10 @@ mpegpsmux_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&mpegpsmux_src_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &mpegpsmux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "MPEG Program Stream Muxer", "Codec/Muxer",
+      "Multiplexes media streams into an MPEG Program Stream",
+      "Lin YANG <oxcsnicho@gmail.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/mpegtsmux/mpegtsmux.c b/gst/mpegtsmux/mpegtsmux.c
index cb630848d..08148e1d7 100644
--- a/gst/mpegtsmux/mpegtsmux.c
+++ b/gst/mpegtsmux/mpegtsmux.c
@@ -155,12 +155,7 @@ GST_BOILERPLATE (MpegTsMux, mpegtsmux, GstElement, GST_TYPE_ELEMENT);
 static void
 mpegtsmux_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
-  const GstElementDetails mpegtsmux_details = {
-    "MPEG Transport Stream Muxer",
-    "Codec/Muxer",
-    "Multiplexes media streams into an MPEG Transport Stream",
-    "Fluendo <contact@fluendo.com>"
-  };
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -168,7 +163,10 @@ mpegtsmux_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&mpegtsmux_src_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &mpegtsmux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "MPEG Transport Stream Muxer", "Codec/Muxer",
+      "Multiplexes media streams into an MPEG Transport Stream",
+      "Fluendo <contact@fluendo.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/mpegvideoparse/mpegvideoparse.c b/gst/mpegvideoparse/mpegvideoparse.c
index 43ffb4944..442183813 100644
--- a/gst/mpegvideoparse/mpegvideoparse.c
+++ b/gst/mpegvideoparse/mpegvideoparse.c
@@ -44,14 +44,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (mpv_parse_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT mpv_parse_debug
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static GstElementDetails mpegvideoparse_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("MPEG video elementary stream parser",
-    "Codec/Parser/Video",
-    "Parses and frames MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 elementary video streams",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>\n"
-    "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@mad.scientist.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src", GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -140,7 +132,12 @@ gst_mpegvideoparse_base_init (MpegVideoParseClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &mpegvideoparse_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "MPEG video elementary stream parser",
+      "Codec/Parser/Video",
+      "Parses and frames MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 elementary video streams",
+      "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>, "
+      "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@mad.scientist.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/mve/gstmvedemux.c b/gst/mve/gstmvedemux.c
index 76acc2dbc..816dc543b 100644
--- a/gst/mve/gstmvedemux.c
+++ b/gst/mve/gstmvedemux.c
@@ -1089,12 +1089,7 @@ gst_mve_demux_dispose (GObject * obj)
 static void
 gst_mve_demux_base_init (GstMveDemuxClass * klass)
 {
-  static const GstElementDetails mve_demux_details = {
-    "MVE Demuxer",
-    "Codec/Demuxer",
-    "Demultiplex an Interplay movie (MVE) stream into audio and video",
-    "Jens Granseuer <jensgr@gmx.net>"
-  };
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -1103,7 +1098,10 @@ gst_mve_demux_base_init (GstMveDemuxClass * klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&vidsrc_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&audsrc_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &mve_demux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "MVE Demuxer",
+      "Codec/Demuxer",
+      "Demultiplex an Interplay movie (MVE) stream into audio and video",
+      "Jens Granseuer <jensgr@gmx.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/mve/gstmvemux.c b/gst/mve/gstmvemux.c
index 5282f8100..e54c4a153 100644
--- a/gst/mve/gstmvemux.c
+++ b/gst/mve/gstmvemux.c
@@ -1353,11 +1353,6 @@ gst_mve_mux_release_pad (GstElement * element, GstPad * pad)
 static void
 gst_mve_mux_base_init (GstMveMuxClass * klass)
 {
-  static const GstElementDetails gst_mve_mux_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("MVE Multiplexer",
-      "Codec/Muxer",
-      "Muxes audio and video into an MVE stream",
-      "Jens Granseuer <jensgr@gmx.net>");
 
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
@@ -1368,7 +1363,10 @@ gst_mve_mux_base_init (GstMveMuxClass * klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&video_sink_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_mve_mux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "MVE Multiplexer",
+      "Codec/Muxer",
+      "Muxes audio and video into an MVE stream",
+      "Jens Granseuer <jensgr@gmx.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/nsf/gstnsf.c b/gst/nsf/gstnsf.c
index 666aaf490..11e2a86ab 100644
--- a/gst/nsf/gstnsf.c
+++ b/gst/nsf/gstnsf.c
@@ -29,12 +29,6 @@
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT nsfdec_debug
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (GST_CAT_DEFAULT);
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_nsfdec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Nsf decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
-    "Using nosefart to decode NSF audio tunes",
-    "Johan Dahlin <johan@gnome.org>");
-
 /* Nsfdec signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -142,7 +136,10 @@ gst_nsfdec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_nsfdec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Nsf decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
+      "Using nosefart to decode NSF audio tunes",
+      "Johan Dahlin <johan@gnome.org>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_templ));
diff --git a/gst/nuvdemux/gstnuvdemux.c b/gst/nuvdemux/gstnuvdemux.c
index 4e1ef5a39..70e1e30a8 100644
--- a/gst/nuvdemux/gstnuvdemux.c
+++ b/gst/nuvdemux/gstnuvdemux.c
@@ -60,13 +60,6 @@ GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (nuvdemux_debug);
 
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_EXTERN (GST_CAT_EVENT);
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_nuv_demux_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Nuv demuxer",
-    "Codec/Demuxer",
-    "Demultiplex a MythTV NuppleVideo .nuv file into audio and video",
-    "Renato Araujo Oliveira Filho <renato.filho@indt.org.br>,"
-    "Rosfran Borges <rosfran.borges@indt.org.br>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sink_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -139,7 +132,11 @@ gst_nuv_demux_base_init (gpointer klass)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_nuv_demux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Nuv demuxer",
+      "Codec/Demuxer",
+      "Demultiplex a MythTV NuppleVideo .nuv file into audio and video",
+      "Renato Araujo Oliveira Filho <renato.filho@indt.org.br>,"
+      "Rosfran Borges <rosfran.borges@indt.org.br>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/overlay/gstoverlay.c b/gst/overlay/gstoverlay.c
index 2c6345a97..c900a6bd9 100644
--- a/gst/overlay/gstoverlay.c
+++ b/gst/overlay/gstoverlay.c
@@ -24,13 +24,6 @@
 #include "gstoverlay.h"
 #include <gst/video/video.h>
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails overlay_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Video overlay",
-    "Filter/Editor/Video",
-    "Overlay multiple video streams",
-    "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate overlay_src_factory =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -125,7 +118,9 @@ gst_overlay_base_init (GstOverlayClass * klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&overlay_sink3_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&overlay_src_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &overlay_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Video overlay",
+      "Filter/Editor/Video",
+      "Overlay multiple video streams", "David Schleef <ds@schleef.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/passthrough/gstpassthrough.c b/gst/passthrough/gstpassthrough.c
index 5ccfe1aa6..c0f009812 100644
--- a/gst/passthrough/gstpassthrough.c
+++ b/gst/passthrough/gstpassthrough.c
@@ -29,13 +29,6 @@
 #define PASSTHRU_BUF_SIZE 4096
 #define PASSTHRU_NUM_BUFS 4
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails passthrough_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Passthrough",
-    "Filter/Effect/Audio",
-    "Transparent filter for audio/raw (boilerplate for effects)",
-    "Thomas <thomas@apestaart.org>, " "Andy Wingo <apwingo@eos.ncsu.edu>");
-
 enum
 {
   /* FILL ME */
@@ -169,7 +162,10 @@ passthrough_base_init (GstPassthroughClass * klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&passthrough_src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&passthrough_sink_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &passthrough_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Passthrough",
+      "Filter/Effect/Audio",
+      "Transparent filter for audio/raw (boilerplate for effects)",
+      "Thomas <thomas@apestaart.org>, " "Andy Wingo <apwingo@eos.ncsu.edu>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/pcapparse/gstpcapparse.c b/gst/pcapparse/gstpcapparse.c
index 6e2021269..96ab3f20e 100644
--- a/gst/pcapparse/gstpcapparse.c
+++ b/gst/pcapparse/gstpcapparse.c
@@ -95,19 +95,16 @@ static void
 gst_pcap_parse_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "PCapParse",
-    "Raw/Parser",
-    "Parses a raw pcap stream",
-    "Ole André Vadla Ravnås <ole.andre.ravnas@tandberg.com>"
-  };
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "PCapParse",
+      "Raw/Parser",
+      "Parses a raw pcap stream",
+      "Ole André Vadla Ravnås <ole.andre.ravnas@tandberg.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/playondemand/gstplayondemand.c b/gst/playondemand/gstplayondemand.c
index 91eae05cc..f754b1580 100644
--- a/gst/playondemand/gstplayondemand.c
+++ b/gst/playondemand/gstplayondemand.c
@@ -40,14 +40,6 @@
 #define GST_POD_BUFPOOL_SIZE 4096
 #define GST_POD_BUFPOOL_NUM  6
 
-
-static const GstElementDetails play_on_demand_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Play On Demand",
-    "Filter/Editor/Audio",
-    "Schedule a stream to play at specific times, or when a signal is received",
-    "Leif Morgan Johnson <leif@ambient.2y.net>");
-
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate play_on_demand_sink_template =
     GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -152,7 +144,10 @@ play_on_demand_base_init (GstPlayOnDemandClass * klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&play_on_demand_src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&play_on_demand_sink_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &play_on_demand_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Play On Demand",
+      "Filter/Editor/Audio",
+      "Schedule a stream to play at specific times, or when a signal is received",
+      "Leif Morgan Johnson <leif@ambient.2y.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/qtmux/gstqtmoovrecover.c b/gst/qtmux/gstqtmoovrecover.c
index 333ab6a8d..03bee5288 100644
--- a/gst/qtmux/gstqtmoovrecover.c
+++ b/gst/qtmux/gstqtmoovrecover.c
@@ -71,11 +71,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gst_qt_moov_recover_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_qt_moov_recover_debug
 
-static GstElementDetails gst_qt_moov_recover_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("QT Moov Recover",
-    "Util", "Recovers unfinished qtmux files",
-    "Thiago Santos <thiago.sousa.santos@collabora.co.uk>");
-
 /* QTMoovRecover signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -113,7 +108,9 @@ gst_qt_moov_recover_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 #if 0
   GstQTMoovRecoverClass *klass = (GstQTMoovRecoverClass *) g_class;
 #endif
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_qt_moov_recover_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "QT Moov Recover",
+      "Util", "Recovers unfinished qtmux files",
+      "Thiago Santos <thiago.sousa.santos@collabora.co.uk>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/qtmux/gstqtmux.c b/gst/qtmux/gstqtmux.c
index 6035c61c8..9e00957c1 100644
--- a/gst/qtmux/gstqtmux.c
+++ b/gst/qtmux/gstqtmux.c
@@ -155,8 +155,8 @@ gst_qt_mux_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
   GstQTMuxClass *klass = (GstQTMuxClass *) g_class;
   GstQTMuxClassParams *params;
-  GstElementDetails details;
   GstPadTemplate *videosinktempl, *audiosinktempl, *srctempl;
+  gchar *longname, *description;
 
   params =
       (GstQTMuxClassParams *) g_type_get_qdata (G_OBJECT_CLASS_TYPE (g_class),
@@ -164,16 +164,14 @@ gst_qt_mux_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   g_assert (params != NULL);
 
   /* construct the element details struct */
-  details.longname = g_strdup_printf ("%s Muxer", params->prop->long_name);
-  details.klass = g_strdup ("Codec/Muxer");
-  details.description =
-      g_strdup_printf ("Multiplex audio and video into a %s file",
+  longname = g_strdup_printf ("%s Muxer", params->prop->long_name);
+  description = g_strdup_printf ("Multiplex audio and video into a %s file",
       params->prop->long_name);
-  details.author = "Thiago Sousa Santos <thiagoss@embedded.ufcg.edu.br>";
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &details);
-  g_free (details.longname);
-  g_free (details.klass);
-  g_free (details.description);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, longname,
+      "Codec/Muxer", description,
+      "Thiago Sousa Santos <thiagoss@embedded.ufcg.edu.br>");
+  g_free (longname);
+  g_free (description);
 
   /* pad templates */
   srctempl = gst_pad_template_new ("src", GST_PAD_SRC,
diff --git a/gst/real/gstrealaudiodec.c b/gst/real/gstrealaudiodec.c
index 7ccc1db77..b3f2ad52e 100644
--- a/gst/real/gstrealaudiodec.c
+++ b/gst/real/gstrealaudiodec.c
@@ -31,11 +31,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (real_audio_dec_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT real_audio_dec_debug
 
-static GstElementDetails real_audio_dec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("RealAudio decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Audio", "Decoder for RealAudio streams",
-    "Lutz Mueller <lutz@topfrose.de>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate snk_t =
     GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink", GST_PAD_SINK, GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
     GST_STATIC_CAPS ("audio/x-pn-realaudio, "
@@ -568,7 +563,9 @@ gst_real_audio_dec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (ec, gst_static_pad_template_get (&snk_t));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (ec, gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_t));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (ec, &real_audio_dec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (ec, "RealAudio decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio", "Decoder for RealAudio streams",
+      "Lutz Mueller <lutz@topfrose.de>");
 }
 
 static GstStateChangeReturn
diff --git a/gst/real/gstrealvideodec.c b/gst/real/gstrealvideodec.c
index 313a99f2a..4485a312f 100644
--- a/gst/real/gstrealvideodec.c
+++ b/gst/real/gstrealvideodec.c
@@ -31,11 +31,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (realvideode_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT realvideode_debug
 
-static GstElementDetails realvideode_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("RealVideo decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Video", "Decoder for RealVideo streams",
-    "Lutz Mueller <lutz@topfrose.de>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate snk_t =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink", GST_PAD_SINK, GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
     GST_STATIC_CAPS ("video/x-pn-realvideo, " "rmversion = (int) [ 2, 4 ]"));
@@ -635,7 +630,9 @@ gst_real_video_dec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (ec, gst_static_pad_template_get (&snk_t));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (ec, gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_t));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (ec, &realvideode_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (ec, "RealVideo decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video", "Decoder for RealVideo streams",
+      "Lutz Mueller <lutz@topfrose.de>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/rtjpeg/gstrtjpegdec.c b/gst/rtjpeg/gstrtjpegdec.c
index a11808f8a..66f91f7e7 100644
--- a/gst/rtjpeg/gstrtjpegdec.c
+++ b/gst/rtjpeg/gstrtjpegdec.c
@@ -23,15 +23,6 @@
 #endif
 #include "gstrtjpegdec.h"
 
-
-
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_rtjpegdec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("RTjpeg video decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Video",
-    "Decodes video in RTjpeg format",
-    "Erik Walthinsen <omega@cse.ogi.edu>");
-
 /* GstRTJpegDec signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -86,7 +77,9 @@ gst_rtjpegdec_base_init (GstRTJpegDecClass * klass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_rtjpegdec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "RTjpeg video decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video",
+      "Decodes video in RTjpeg format", "Erik Walthinsen <omega@cse.ogi.edu>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/rtjpeg/gstrtjpegenc.c b/gst/rtjpeg/gstrtjpegenc.c
index f7d76a57e..50a4a0b2e 100644
--- a/gst/rtjpeg/gstrtjpegenc.c
+++ b/gst/rtjpeg/gstrtjpegenc.c
@@ -23,13 +23,6 @@
 #endif
 #include "gstrtjpegenc.h"
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_rtjpegenc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("RTjpeg video encoder",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Video",
-    "Encodes video in RTjpeg format",
-    "Erik Walthinsen <omega@cse.ogi.edu>");
-
 /* GstRTJpegEnc signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -84,7 +77,9 @@ gst_rtjpegenc_base_init (GstRTJpegEncClass * klass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_rtjpegenc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "RTjpeg video encoder",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Video",
+      "Encodes video in RTjpeg format", "Erik Walthinsen <omega@cse.ogi.edu>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/rtpmux/gstrtpdtmfmux.c b/gst/rtpmux/gstrtpdtmfmux.c
index 9622c2640..480d89d44 100644
--- a/gst/rtpmux/gstrtpdtmfmux.c
+++ b/gst/rtpmux/gstrtpdtmfmux.c
@@ -71,13 +71,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gst_rtp_dtmf_mux_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_rtp_dtmf_mux_debug
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_rtp_dtmf_mux_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("RTP muxer",
-    "Codec/Muxer",
-    "mixes RTP DTMF streams into other RTP streams",
-    "Zeeshan Ali <first.last@nokia.com>");
-
 enum
 {
   SIGNAL_LOCKING_STREAM,
@@ -106,7 +99,10 @@ gst_rtp_dtmf_mux_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_rtp_dtmf_mux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "RTP muxer",
+      "Codec/Muxer",
+      "mixes RTP DTMF streams into other RTP streams",
+      "Zeeshan Ali <first.last@nokia.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/rtpmux/gstrtpmux.c b/gst/rtpmux/gstrtpmux.c
index 77858895b..e5f49fc53 100644
--- a/gst/rtpmux/gstrtpmux.c
+++ b/gst/rtpmux/gstrtpmux.c
@@ -43,13 +43,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gst_rtp_mux_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT gst_rtp_mux_debug
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_rtp_mux_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("RTP muxer",
-    "Codec/Muxer",
-    "multiplex N rtp streams into one",
-    "Zeeshan Ali <first.last@nokia.com>");
-
 enum
 {
   ARG_0,
@@ -111,7 +104,9 @@ gst_rtp_mux_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_rtp_mux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "RTP muxer",
+      "Codec/Muxer",
+      "multiplex N rtp streams into one", "Zeeshan Ali <first.last@nokia.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/scaletempo/gstscaletempo.c b/gst/scaletempo/gstscaletempo.c
index 7d72dba5c..53f454b18 100644
--- a/gst/scaletempo/gstscaletempo.c
+++ b/gst/scaletempo/gstscaletempo.c
@@ -676,19 +676,17 @@ gst_scaletempo_set_property (GObject * object,
 static void
 gst_scaletempo_base_init (gpointer klass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "Scaletempo",
-    "Filter/Effect/Rate",
-    "Sync audio tempo with playback rate",
-    "Rov Juvano <rovjuvano@users.sourceforge.net>"
-  };
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Scaletempo",
+      "Filter/Effect/Rate",
+      "Sync audio tempo with playback rate",
+      "Rov Juvano <rovjuvano@users.sourceforge.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/sdp/gstsdpdemux.c b/gst/sdp/gstsdpdemux.c
index 3c543d0a1..4470a6ba6 100644
--- a/gst/sdp/gstsdpdemux.c
+++ b/gst/sdp/gstsdpdemux.c
@@ -84,13 +84,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (sdpdemux_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT (sdpdemux_debug)
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_sdp_demux_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("SDP session setup",
-    "Codec/Demuxer/Network/RTP",
-    "Receive data over the network via SDP",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sinktemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -162,7 +155,10 @@ gst_sdp_demux_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&rtptemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_sdp_demux_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "SDP session setup",
+      "Codec/Demuxer/Network/RTP",
+      "Receive data over the network via SDP",
+      "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
 }
 
 static void
@@ -387,12 +383,12 @@ is_multicast_address (const gchar * host_name)
   for (ai = res; !ret && ai; ai = ai->ai_next) {
     if (ai->ai_family == AF_INET)
       ret =
-          IN_MULTICAST (ntohl (((struct sockaddr_in *) ai->ai_addr)->
-              sin_addr.s_addr));
+          IN_MULTICAST (ntohl (((struct sockaddr_in *) ai->ai_addr)->sin_addr.
+              s_addr));
     else
       ret =
-          IN6_IS_ADDR_MULTICAST (&((struct sockaddr_in6 *) ai->
-              ai_addr)->sin6_addr);
+          IN6_IS_ADDR_MULTICAST (&((struct sockaddr_in6 *) ai->ai_addr)->
+          sin6_addr);
   }
 
   freeaddrinfo (res);
diff --git a/gst/selector/gstinputselector.c b/gst/selector/gstinputselector.c
index e5dc12b70..0670493c7 100644
--- a/gst/selector/gstinputselector.c
+++ b/gst/selector/gstinputselector.c
@@ -41,14 +41,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (input_selector_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT input_selector_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_input_selector_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Input selector",
-    "Generic",
-    "N-to-1 input stream selectoring",
-    "Julien Moutte <julien@moutte.net>\n"
-    "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@mad.scientist.com>\n"
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_input_selector_sink_factory =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink%d",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -746,7 +738,11 @@ gst_input_selector_base_init (GstInputSelectorClass * klass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_input_selector_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Input selector",
+      "Generic", "N-to-1 input stream selectoring",
+      "Julien Moutte <julien@moutte.net>, "
+      "Jan Schmidt <thaytan@mad.scientist.com>, "
+      "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@gmail.com>");
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_input_selector_sink_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
diff --git a/gst/selector/gstoutputselector.c b/gst/selector/gstoutputselector.c
index e56cced5d..692cf50e4 100644
--- a/gst/selector/gstoutputselector.c
+++ b/gst/selector/gstoutputselector.c
@@ -35,12 +35,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (output_selector_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT output_selector_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_output_selector_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Output selector",
-    "Generic",
-    "1-to-N output stream selectoring",
-    "Stefan Kost <stefan.kost@nokia.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_output_selector_sink_factory =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
@@ -86,7 +80,10 @@ gst_output_selector_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_output_selector_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Output selector",
+      "Generic",
+      "1-to-N output stream selectoring",
+      "Stefan Kost <stefan.kost@nokia.com>");
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_output_selector_sink_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
diff --git a/gst/siren/gstsirendec.c b/gst/siren/gstsirendec.c
index 976a7adb5..2e517199f 100644
--- a/gst/siren/gstsirendec.c
+++ b/gst/siren/gstsirendec.c
@@ -42,14 +42,6 @@ GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY (sirendec_debug);
 
 #define FRAME_DURATION  (20 * GST_MSECOND)
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_siren_dec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Siren Decoder element",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Audio ",
-    "Decode streams encoded with the Siren7 codec into 16bit PCM",
-    "Youness Alaoui <kakaroto@kakaroto.homelinux.net>");
-
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sinktemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -105,7 +97,10 @@ gst_siren_dec_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sinktemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_siren_dec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Siren Decoder element",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio ",
+      "Decode streams encoded with the Siren7 codec into 16bit PCM",
+      "Youness Alaoui <kakaroto@kakaroto.homelinux.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/siren/gstsirenenc.c b/gst/siren/gstsirenenc.c
index 464950310..561d2689d 100644
--- a/gst/siren/gstsirenenc.c
+++ b/gst/siren/gstsirenenc.c
@@ -42,14 +42,6 @@ GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY (sirenenc_debug);
 
 #define FRAME_DURATION  (20 * GST_MSECOND)
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_siren_enc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Siren Encoder element",
-    "Codec/Encoder/Audio ",
-    "Encode 16bit PCM streams into the Siren7 codec",
-    "Youness Alaoui <kakaroto@kakaroto.homelinux.net>");
-
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate srctemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -108,7 +100,10 @@ gst_siren_enc_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sinktemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_siren_enc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Siren Encoder element",
+      "Codec/Encoder/Audio ",
+      "Encode 16bit PCM streams into the Siren7 codec",
+      "Youness Alaoui <kakaroto@kakaroto.homelinux.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/smooth/gstsmooth.c b/gst/smooth/gstsmooth.c
index b1af76a69..a4bd43af1 100644
--- a/gst/smooth/gstsmooth.c
+++ b/gst/smooth/gstsmooth.c
@@ -24,14 +24,6 @@
 #include "gstsmooth.h"
 #include <gst/video/video.h>
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails smooth_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Smooth effect",
-    "Filter/Effect/Video",
-    "Apply a smooth filter to an image",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
-
 /* Smooth signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -114,7 +106,10 @@ gst_smooth_base_init (GstSmoothClass * klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_smooth_sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_smooth_src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &smooth_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Smooth effect",
+      "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "Apply a smooth filter to an image",
+      "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/smoothwave/gstsmoothwave.c b/gst/smoothwave/gstsmoothwave.c
index 3a2a23b0c..dbcd1a355 100644
--- a/gst/smoothwave/gstsmoothwave.c
+++ b/gst/smoothwave/gstsmoothwave.c
@@ -29,13 +29,6 @@
 
 #include "gstsmoothwave.h"
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_smoothwave_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Smooth waveform",
-    "Visualization",
-    "Fading grayscale waveform display",
-    "Erik Walthinsen <omega@cse.ogi.edu>");
-
-
 /* SmoothWave signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -127,7 +120,10 @@ gst_smoothwave_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_smoothwave_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Smooth waveform",
+      "Visualization",
+      "Fading grayscale waveform display",
+      "Erik Walthinsen <omega@cse.ogi.edu>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/speed/gstspeed.c b/gst/speed/gstspeed.c
index 13466cb6e..c212f2e68 100644
--- a/gst/speed/gstspeed.c
+++ b/gst/speed/gstspeed.c
@@ -52,14 +52,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (speed_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT speed_debug
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails speed_details = GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Speed",
-    "Filter/Effect/Audio",
-    "Set speed/pitch on audio/raw streams (resampler)",
-    "Andy Wingo <apwingo@eos.ncsu.edu>, "
-    "Tim-Philipp Müller <tim@centricular.net>");
-
-
 enum
 {
   ARG_0,
@@ -463,13 +455,18 @@ speed_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &speed_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Speed",
+      "Filter/Effect/Audio",
+      "Set speed/pitch on audio/raw streams (resampler)",
+      "Andy Wingo <apwingo@eos.ncsu.edu>, "
+      "Tim-Philipp Müller <tim@centricular.net>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_speed_src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_speed_sink_template));
 }
+
 static void
 speed_class_init (GstSpeedClass * klass)
 {
diff --git a/gst/stereo/gststereo.c b/gst/stereo/gststereo.c
index 2dafc75f9..e782f93ce 100644
--- a/gst/stereo/gststereo.c
+++ b/gst/stereo/gststereo.c
@@ -45,15 +45,6 @@
 #include <gst/audio/gstaudiofilter.h>
 #include <gst/controller/gstcontroller.h>
 
-
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails stereo_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Stereo effect",
-    "Filter/Effect/Audio",
-    "Muck with the stereo signal to enhance its 'stereo-ness'",
-    "Erik Walthinsen <omega@cse.ogi.edu>");
-
-
 #define ALLOWED_CAPS \
     "audio/x-raw-int,"                                                \
     " depth = (int) 16, "                                             \
@@ -95,7 +86,10 @@ gst_stereo_base_init (gpointer g_class)
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
   GstCaps *caps;
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &stereo_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Stereo effect",
+      "Filter/Effect/Audio",
+      "Muck with the stereo signal to enhance its 'stereo-ness'",
+      "Erik Walthinsen <omega@cse.ogi.edu>");
 
   caps = gst_caps_from_string (ALLOWED_CAPS);
   gst_audio_filter_class_add_pad_templates (GST_AUDIO_FILTER_CLASS (g_class),
diff --git a/gst/tta/gstttadec.c b/gst/tta/gstttadec.c
index 880bc7367..7fdea3c2e 100644
--- a/gst/tta/gstttadec.c
+++ b/gst/tta/gstttadec.c
@@ -171,18 +171,16 @@ gst_tta_dec_get_type (void)
 static void
 gst_tta_dec_base_init (GstTtaDecClass * klass)
 {
-  static const GstElementDetails plugin_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("TTA audio decoder",
-      "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
-      "Decode TTA audio data",
-      "Arwed v. Merkatz <v.merkatz@gmx.net>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &plugin_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "TTA audio decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
+      "Decode TTA audio data", "Arwed v. Merkatz <v.merkatz@gmx.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/tta/gstttaparse.c b/gst/tta/gstttaparse.c
index c9efbe564..82187a00a 100644
--- a/gst/tta/gstttaparse.c
+++ b/gst/tta/gstttaparse.c
@@ -85,18 +85,16 @@ gst_tta_parse_get_type (void)
 static void
 gst_tta_parse_base_init (GstTtaParseClass * klass)
 {
-  static const GstElementDetails plugin_details =
-      GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("TTA file parser",
-      "Codec/Demuxer/Audio",
-      "Parses TTA files",
-      "Arwed v. Merkatz <v.merkatz@gmx.net>");
+
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &plugin_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "TTA file parser",
+      "Codec/Demuxer/Audio",
+      "Parses TTA files", "Arwed v. Merkatz <v.merkatz@gmx.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/valve/gstvalve.c b/gst/valve/gstvalve.c
index 702b3e56b..3fc19089f 100644
--- a/gst/valve/gstvalve.c
+++ b/gst/valve/gstvalve.c
@@ -45,14 +45,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY (valve_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT (valve_debug)
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_valve_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Valve element",
-    "Filter",
-    "This element drops all packets when drop is TRUE",
-    "Olivier Crete <olivier.crete@collabora.co.uk>");
-
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate sinktemplate = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("sink",
     GST_PAD_SINK,
     GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
@@ -109,7 +101,10 @@ gst_valve_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sinktemplate));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_valve_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Valve element",
+      "Filter",
+      "This element drops all packets when drop is TRUE",
+      "Olivier Crete <olivier.crete@collabora.co.uk>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/gst/vbidec/gstvbidec.c b/gst/vbidec/gstvbidec.c
index 412d1ce2a..95b670e74 100644
--- a/gst/vbidec/gstvbidec.c
+++ b/gst/vbidec/gstvbidec.c
@@ -63,13 +63,6 @@ struct _GstVBIDecClass
 
 GType gst_vbidec_get_type (void);
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_vbidec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("VBI decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Video",
-    "Decodes closed captions and XDS data from VBI data",
-    "David I. Lehn <dlehn@users.sourceforge.net>");
-
 /* VBIDec signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -168,13 +161,17 @@ gst_vbidec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_vbidec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "VBI decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video",
+      "Decodes closed captions and XDS data from VBI data",
+      "David I. Lehn <dlehn@users.sourceforge.net>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_vbidec_src_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_vbidec_sink_template));
 }
+
 static void
 gst_vbidec_class_init (GstVBIDecClass * klass)
 {
diff --git a/gst/videodrop/gstvideodrop.c b/gst/videodrop/gstvideodrop.c
index 9d6c33557..8cfc59633 100644
--- a/gst/videodrop/gstvideodrop.c
+++ b/gst/videodrop/gstvideodrop.c
@@ -24,13 +24,6 @@
 #include <gstvideodrop.h>
 #include <gst/video/video.h>
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails videodrop_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Frame dropper",
-    "Filter/Effect/Video",
-    "Re-FPS'es video by dropping frames",
-    "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
-
 /* GstVideodrop signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -108,13 +101,17 @@ gst_videodrop_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &videodrop_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Frame dropper",
+      "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "Re-FPS'es video by dropping frames",
+      "Ronald Bultje <rbultje@ronald.bitfreak.net>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_videodrop_sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_videodrop_src_template));
 }
+
 static void
 gst_videodrop_class_init (GstVideodropClass * klass)
 {
diff --git a/gst/videomeasure/gstvideomeasure_collector.c b/gst/videomeasure/gstvideomeasure_collector.c
index 5e87f1783..28c95ae54 100644
--- a/gst/videomeasure/gstvideomeasure_collector.c
+++ b/gst/videomeasure/gstvideomeasure_collector.c
@@ -54,12 +54,6 @@ enum
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (measure_collector_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT measure_collector_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails measure_collector_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Video measure collector",
-    "Filter/Effect/Video",
-    "Collect measurements from a measuring element",
-    "Руслан Ижбулатов <lrn _at_ gmail _dot_ com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_measure_collector_src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -327,7 +321,10 @@ gst_measure_collector_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &measure_collector_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Video measure collector", "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "Collect measurements from a measuring element",
+      "Руслан Ижбулатов <lrn _at_ gmail _dot_ com>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_measure_collector_sink_template));
diff --git a/gst/videosignal/gstvideoanalyse.c b/gst/videosignal/gstvideoanalyse.c
index 8f4ef6c6d..2d59b3125 100644
--- a/gst/videosignal/gstvideoanalyse.c
+++ b/gst/videosignal/gstvideoanalyse.c
@@ -104,12 +104,6 @@ enum
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (video_analyse_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT video_analyse_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails video_analyse_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Video analyser",
-    "Filter/Effect/Video",
-    "Analyse video signal",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_video_analyse_src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -281,7 +275,9 @@ gst_video_analyse_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &video_analyse_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Video analyser",
+      "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "Analyse video signal", "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_video_analyse_sink_template));
diff --git a/gst/videosignal/gstvideodetect.c b/gst/videosignal/gstvideodetect.c
index f97ae205c..fb64e6627 100644
--- a/gst/videosignal/gstvideodetect.c
+++ b/gst/videosignal/gstvideodetect.c
@@ -142,12 +142,6 @@ enum
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (video_detect_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT video_detect_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails video_detect_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Video detecter",
-    "Filter/Effect/Video",
-    "Detect patterns in a video signal",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_video_detect_src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -440,7 +434,9 @@ gst_video_detect_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &video_detect_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Video detecter",
+      "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "Detect patterns in a video signal", "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_video_detect_sink_template));
diff --git a/gst/videosignal/gstvideomark.c b/gst/videosignal/gstvideomark.c
index 3e73d8594..46b4c1f77 100644
--- a/gst/videosignal/gstvideomark.c
+++ b/gst/videosignal/gstvideomark.c
@@ -83,12 +83,6 @@ enum
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (video_mark_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT video_mark_debug
 
-static const GstElementDetails video_mark_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Video marker",
-    "Filter/Effect/Video",
-    "Marks a video signal with a pattern",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate gst_video_mark_src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -327,7 +321,9 @@ gst_video_mark_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &video_mark_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Video marker",
+      "Filter/Effect/Video",
+      "Marks a video signal with a pattern", "Wim Taymans <wim@fluendo.com>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_video_mark_sink_template));
diff --git a/gst/vmnc/vmncdec.c b/gst/vmnc/vmncdec.c
index bbf1b3a3e..f2332c7c8 100644
--- a/gst/vmnc/vmncdec.c
+++ b/gst/vmnc/vmncdec.c
@@ -134,12 +134,6 @@ typedef struct
   GstElementClass parent_class;
 } GstVMncDecClass;
 
-static const GstElementDetails vmnc_dec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("VMnc video decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Video",
-    "Decode VmWare video to raw (RGB) video",
-    "Michael Smith <msmith@xiph.org>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate vmnc_dec_src_factory =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -177,7 +171,10 @@ gst_vmnc_dec_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&vmnc_dec_src_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&vmnc_dec_sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &vmnc_dec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "VMnc video decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video",
+      "Decode VmWare video to raw (RGB) video",
+      "Michael Smith <msmith@xiph.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/sys/acmenc/acmenc.c b/sys/acmenc/acmenc.c
index c1da855c4..558cda708 100644
--- a/sys/acmenc/acmenc.c
+++ b/sys/acmenc/acmenc.c
@@ -465,11 +465,11 @@ acmenc_class_init (ACMEncClass * klass)
 acmenc_base_init (ACMEncClass * klass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
-  GstElementDetails details;
   ACMEncParams *params;
   ACMDRIVERDETAILS driverdetails;
-  gchar *shortname, *longname;
+  gchar *shortname, *longname, *detail, *description;
   MMRESULT res;
+
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&acmenc_sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
@@ -490,17 +490,17 @@ acmenc_base_init (ACMEncClass * klass)
   longname =
       g_utf16_to_utf8 ((gunichar2 *) driverdetails.szLongName, -1, NULL, NULL,
       NULL);
-  details.longname = g_strdup_printf ("ACM Encoder: %s", (shortname
+  detail = g_strdup_printf ("ACM Encoder: %s", (shortname
           && *shortname) ? shortname : params->name);
-  details.klass = "Codec/Encoder/Audio";
-  details.description = g_strdup_printf ("ACM Encoder: %s", (longname
+  description = g_strdup_printf ("ACM Encoder: %s", (longname
           && *longname) ? longname : params->name);
-  details.author = "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com>";
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, detail,
+      "Codec/Encoder/Audio", description,
+      "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com>");
   g_free (shortname);
   g_free (longname);
-  g_free (details.longname);
-  g_free (details.description);
+  g_free (description);
+  g_free (detail);
   klass->driverId = params->driverId;
 }
 
diff --git a/sys/acmmp3dec/acmmp3dec.c b/sys/acmmp3dec/acmmp3dec.c
index 3a158f731..d77dcca29 100644
--- a/sys/acmmp3dec/acmmp3dec.c
+++ b/sys/acmmp3dec/acmmp3dec.c
@@ -40,12 +40,6 @@
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT acmmp3dec_debug
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (acmmp3dec_debug);
 
-static const GstElementDetails acmmp3dec_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("ACM MP3 decoder",
-    "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
-    "Decode MP3 using ACM decoder",
-    "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate acmmp3dec_src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
     GST_PAD_SRC,
@@ -413,7 +407,10 @@ acmmp3dec_base_init (gpointer klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&acmmp3dec_sink_template));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&acmmp3dec_src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &acmmp3dec_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "ACM MP3 decoder",
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio",
+      "Decode MP3 using ACM decoder",
+      "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com");
 }
 
 static gboolean
diff --git a/sys/cdrom/gstcdplayer.c b/sys/cdrom/gstcdplayer.c
index a7debd24a..123517d07 100644
--- a/sys/cdrom/gstcdplayer.c
+++ b/sys/cdrom/gstcdplayer.c
@@ -58,14 +58,6 @@ static GstStateChangeReturn cdplayer_change_state (GstElement * element,
 static GstElementClass *parent_class;
 static guint cdplayer_signals[LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
 
-static const GstElementDetails cdplayer_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("CD Player",
-    "Generic/Bin",
-    "Play CD audio through the CD Drive",
-    "Charles Schmidt <cbschmid@uiuc.edu>, "
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
-
 GType
 cdplayer_get_type (void)
 {
@@ -97,8 +89,13 @@ cdplayer_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &cdplayer_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "CD Player",
+      "Generic/Bin",
+      "Play CD audio through the CD Drive",
+      "Charles Schmidt <cbschmid@uiuc.edu>, "
+      "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 }
+
 static void
 cdplayer_class_init (CDPlayerClass * klass)
 {
diff --git a/sys/directdraw/gstdirectdrawsink.c b/sys/directdraw/gstdirectdrawsink.c
index bb0332f84..8f73e28d1 100644
--- a/sys/directdraw/gstdirectdrawsink.c
+++ b/sys/directdraw/gstdirectdrawsink.c
@@ -48,13 +48,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (directdrawsink_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT directdrawsink_debug
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_directdraw_sink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Direct Draw Video Sink",
-    "Sink/Video",
-    "Output to a video card via Direct Draw",
-    "Sebastien Moutte <sebastien@moutte.net>");
-
 static void gst_directdraw_sink_init_interfaces (GType type);
 
 GST_BOILERPLATE_FULL (GstDirectDrawSink, gst_directdraw_sink, GstVideoSink,
@@ -387,7 +380,10 @@ gst_directdraw_sink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_directdraw_sink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Direct Draw Video Sink",
+      "Sink/Video",
+      "Output to a video card via Direct Draw",
+      "Sebastien Moutte <sebastien@moutte.net>");
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&directdrawsink_sink_factory));
 }
@@ -1730,9 +1726,9 @@ gst_directdraw_sink_get_depth (LPDDPIXELFORMAT lpddpfPixelFormat)
   gint order = 0, binary;
 
   binary =
-      lpddpfPixelFormat->dwRBitMask | lpddpfPixelFormat->
-      dwGBitMask | lpddpfPixelFormat->dwBBitMask | lpddpfPixelFormat->
-      dwRGBAlphaBitMask;
+      lpddpfPixelFormat->
+      dwRBitMask | lpddpfPixelFormat->dwGBitMask | lpddpfPixelFormat->
+      dwBBitMask | lpddpfPixelFormat->dwRGBAlphaBitMask;
   while (binary != 0) {
     if ((binary % 2) == 1)
       order++;
diff --git a/sys/directsound/gstdirectsoundsrc.c b/sys/directsound/gstdirectsoundsrc.c
index 76a3dcf4b..c6064bb87 100644
--- a/sys/directsound/gstdirectsoundsrc.c
+++ b/sys/directsound/gstdirectsoundsrc.c
@@ -63,12 +63,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (directsoundsrc_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT directsoundsrc_debug
 
-static GstElementDetails gst_directsound_src_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Direct Sound Audio Src",
-    "Source/Audio",
-    "Capture from a soundcard via DIRECTSOUND",
-    "Joni Valtanen <joni.valtanen@movial.fi>");
-
 /* defaults here */
 #define DEFAULT_DEVICE 0
 
@@ -157,7 +151,10 @@ gst_directsound_src_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   GST_DEBUG ("initializing directsoundsrc base\n");
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_directsound_src_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Direct Sound Audio Src",
+      "Source/Audio",
+      "Capture from a soundcard via DIRECTSOUND",
+      "Joni Valtanen <joni.valtanen@movial.fi>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&directsound_src_src_factory));
diff --git a/sys/dshowdecwrapper/gstdshowaudiodec.cpp b/sys/dshowdecwrapper/gstdshowaudiodec.cpp
index fae5292dc..84f45277b 100644
--- a/sys/dshowdecwrapper/gstdshowaudiodec.cpp
+++ b/sys/dshowdecwrapper/gstdshowaudiodec.cpp
@@ -310,23 +310,19 @@ HRESULT AudioFakeSink::CheckMediaType(const CMediaType *pmt)
 static void
 gst_dshowaudiodec_base_init (gpointer klass)
 {
-  GstDshowAudioDecClass *audiodec_class = (GstDshowAudioDecClass *)klass;
+  GstDshowAudioDecClass *audiodec_class = (GstDshowAudioDecClass *) klass;
   GstPadTemplate *src, *sink;
   GstCaps *srccaps, *sinkcaps;
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
-  GstElementDetails details;
+  char *description;
 
   audiodec_class->entry = tmp;
-  details.longname = g_strdup_printf ("DirectShow %s Decoder Wrapper",
-      tmp->element_longname);
-  details.klass = g_strdup ("Codec/Decoder/Audio");
-  details.description = g_strdup_printf ("DirectShow %s Decoder Wrapper",
-      tmp->element_longname);
-  details.author = "Sebastien Moutte <sebastien@moutte.net>";
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &details);
-  g_free (details.longname);
-  g_free (details.klass);
-  g_free (details.description);
+  description = g_strdup_printf ("DirectShow %s Decoder Wrapper",
+      tmp->element_description);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, description,
+      "Codec/Decoder/Audio", description,
+      "Sebastien Moutte <sebastien@moutte.net>");
+  g_free (description);
 
   sinkcaps = gst_caps_from_string (tmp->sinkcaps);
 
diff --git a/sys/dshowdecwrapper/gstdshowvideodec.cpp b/sys/dshowdecwrapper/gstdshowvideodec.cpp
index fab929147..c73aa9c52 100644
--- a/sys/dshowdecwrapper/gstdshowvideodec.cpp
+++ b/sys/dshowdecwrapper/gstdshowvideodec.cpp
@@ -365,24 +365,20 @@ HRESULT VideoFakeSink::CheckMediaType(const CMediaType *pmt)
 static void
 gst_dshowvideodec_base_init (gpointer klass)
 {
-  GstDshowVideoDecClass *videodec_class = (GstDshowVideoDecClass *)klass;
+  GstDshowVideoDecClass *videodec_class = (GstDshowVideoDecClass *) klass;
   GstPadTemplate *src, *sink;
   GstCaps *srccaps, *sinkcaps;
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
-  GstElementDetails details;
+  char *description;
 
   videodec_class->entry = tmp;
 
-  details.longname = g_strdup_printf ("DirectShow %s Decoder Wrapper",
+  description = g_strdup_printf ("DirectShow %s Decoder Wrapper",
       tmp->element_longname);
-  details.klass = g_strdup ("Codec/Decoder/Video");
-  details.description = g_strdup_printf ("DirectShow %s Decoder Wrapper",
-      tmp->element_longname);
-  details.author = "Sebastien Moutte <sebastien@moutte.net>";
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &details);
-  g_free (details.longname);
-  g_free (details.klass);
-  g_free (details.description);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, description,
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video", description,
+      "Sebastien Moutte <sebastien@moutte.net>");
+  g_free (description);
 
   sinkcaps = gst_caps_from_string (tmp->sinkcaps);
   gst_caps_set_simple (sinkcaps,
diff --git a/sys/dshowsrcwrapper/gstdshowaudiosrc.cpp b/sys/dshowsrcwrapper/gstdshowaudiosrc.cpp
index bdf3c47b3..e7fbadaab 100644
--- a/sys/dshowsrcwrapper/gstdshowaudiosrc.cpp
+++ b/sys/dshowsrcwrapper/gstdshowaudiosrc.cpp
@@ -25,12 +25,6 @@
 
 #include "gstdshowaudiosrc.h"
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dshowaudiosrc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("Directshow audio capture source",
-    "Source/Audio",
-    "Receive data from a directshow audio capture graph",
-    "Sebastien Moutte <sebastien@moutte.net>");
-
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (dshowaudiosrc_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT dshowaudiosrc_debug
 
@@ -127,7 +121,10 @@ gst_dshowaudiosrc_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dshowaudiosrc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "Directshow audio capture source", "Source/Audio",
+      "Receive data from a directshow audio capture graph",
+      "Sebastien Moutte <sebastien@moutte.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/sys/dshowsrcwrapper/gstdshowvideosrc.cpp b/sys/dshowsrcwrapper/gstdshowvideosrc.cpp
index ef722c218..fd28ca657 100644
--- a/sys/dshowsrcwrapper/gstdshowvideosrc.cpp
+++ b/sys/dshowsrcwrapper/gstdshowvideosrc.cpp
@@ -28,12 +28,6 @@
 
 #include <gst/video/video.h>
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dshowvideosrc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("DirectShow video capture source",
-    "Source/Video",
-    "Receive data from a directshow video capture graph",
-    "Sebastien Moutte <sebastien@moutte.net>");
-
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (dshowvideosrc_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT dshowvideosrc_debug
 
@@ -134,7 +128,10 @@ gst_dshowvideosrc_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dshowvideosrc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "DirectShow video capture source", "Source/Video",
+      "Receive data from a directshow video capture graph",
+      "Sebastien Moutte <sebastien@moutte.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/sys/dshowvideosink/dshowvideosink.cpp b/sys/dshowvideosink/dshowvideosink.cpp
index bbde078f4..ab9aecd0d 100644
--- a/sys/dshowvideosink/dshowvideosink.cpp
+++ b/sys/dshowvideosink/dshowvideosink.cpp
@@ -28,13 +28,7 @@
 
 #include "windows.h"
 
-#define WM_GRAPH_NOTIFY WM_APP + 1 /* Private message */
-
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dshowvideosink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("DirectShow video sink",
-    "Sink/Video",
-    "Display data using a DirectShow video renderer",
-    "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com>");
+#define WM_GRAPH_NOTIFY WM_APP + 1
 
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY (dshowvideosink_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT dshowvideosink_debug
@@ -145,7 +139,10 @@ gst_dshowvideosink_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dshowvideosink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "DirectShow video sink",
+      "Sink/Video",
+      "Display data using a DirectShow video renderer",
+      "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/sys/dvb/dvbbasebin.c b/sys/dvb/dvbbasebin.c
index ab4203d47..5118146eb 100644
--- a/sys/dvb/dvbbasebin.c
+++ b/sys/dvb/dvbbasebin.c
@@ -33,11 +33,6 @@
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (dvb_base_bin_debug);
 #define GST_CAT_DEFAULT dvb_base_bin_debug
 
-static GstElementDetails dvb_base_bin_details = GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("DVB bin",
-    "Source/Bin/Video",
-    "Access descramble and split DVB streams",
-    "Alessandro Decina <alessandro@nnva.org>");
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src%d", GST_PAD_SRC,
     GST_PAD_REQUEST,
@@ -208,7 +203,10 @@ dvb_base_bin_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &dvb_base_bin_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "DVB bin",
+      "Source/Bin/Video",
+      "Access descramble and split DVB streams",
+      "Alessandro Decina <alessandro@nnva.org>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/sys/dvb/gstdvbsrc.c b/sys/dvb/gstdvbsrc.c
index ba96073e0..a9cda667e 100644
--- a/sys/dvb/gstdvbsrc.c
+++ b/sys/dvb/gstdvbsrc.c
@@ -68,15 +68,6 @@ GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gstdvbsrc_debug);
 #define LOF1 (9750*1000UL)
 #define LOF2 (10600*1000UL)
 
-
-static GstElementDetails dvbsrc_details = {
-  "DVB Source",
-  "Source/Video",
-  "Digital Video Broadcast Source",
-  "P2P-VCR, C-Lab, University of Paderborn\n"
-      "Zaheer Abbas Merali <zaheerabbas at merali dot org>"
-};
-
 /* Arguments */
 enum
 {
@@ -305,7 +296,11 @@ gst_dvbsrc_base_init (gpointer gclass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&ts_src_factory));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &dvbsrc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "DVB Source",
+      "Source/Video",
+      "Digital Video Broadcast Source",
+      "P2P-VCR, C-Lab, University of Paderborn,"
+      "Zaheer Abbas Merali <zaheerabbas at merali dot org>");
 }
 
 
diff --git a/sys/dxr3/dxr3audiosink.c b/sys/dxr3/dxr3audiosink.c
index 284ced261..d7bd6881d 100644
--- a/sys/dxr3/dxr3audiosink.c
+++ b/sys/dxr3/dxr3audiosink.c
@@ -45,16 +45,6 @@
    the original AC3 stream.  The result is expressed as MPEG2. */
 #define TIME_FOR_BYTES(bytes) (((bytes) * 90) / 48)
 
-
-/* ElementFactory information. */
-static GstElementDetails dxr3audiosink_details = {
-  "dxr3/Hollywood+ mpeg decoder board audio plugin",
-  "Audio/Sink",
-  "Feeds audio to Sigma Designs em8300 based boards",
-  "Martin Soto <martinsoto@users.sourceforge.net>"
-};
-
-
 /* Dxr3AudioSink signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -162,7 +152,10 @@ dxr3audiosink_base_init (Dxr3AudioSinkClass * klass)
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&dxr3audiosink_pcm_sink_factory));
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&dxr3audiosink_ac3_sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &dxr3audiosink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "dxr3/Hollywood+ mpeg decoder board audio plugin", "Audio/Sink",
+      "Feeds audio to Sigma Designs em8300 based boards",
+      "Martin Soto <martinsoto@users.sourceforge.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/sys/dxr3/dxr3spusink.c b/sys/dxr3/dxr3spusink.c
index 0b220f8c7..0ea924390 100644
--- a/sys/dxr3/dxr3spusink.c
+++ b/sys/dxr3/dxr3spusink.c
@@ -38,16 +38,6 @@
 
 #include "dxr3common.h"
 
-
-/* ElementFactory information. */
-static GstElementDetails dxr3spusink_details = {
-  "dxr3/Hollywood+ mpeg decoder board subpicture element",
-  "Sink/Video",
-  "Feeds subpicture information to Sigma Designs em8300 based boards",
-  "Martin Soto <martinsoto@users.sourceforge.net>"
-};
-
-
 /* Dxr3SpuSink signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -138,7 +128,10 @@ dxr3spusink_base_init (Dxr3SpuSinkClass * klass)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&dxr3spusink_sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &dxr3spusink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "dxr3/Hollywood+ mpeg decoder board subpicture element", "Sink/Video",
+      "Feeds subpicture information to Sigma Designs em8300 based boards",
+      "Martin Soto <martinsoto@users.sourceforge.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/sys/dxr3/dxr3videosink.c b/sys/dxr3/dxr3videosink.c
index 475cfbdd7..2f86f0681 100644
--- a/sys/dxr3/dxr3videosink.c
+++ b/sys/dxr3/dxr3videosink.c
@@ -38,16 +38,6 @@
 
 #include "dxr3common.h"
 
-
-/* ElementFactory information. */
-static GstElementDetails dxr3videosink_details = {
-  "dxr3/Hollywood+ mpeg decoder board video element",
-  "Sink/Video",
-  "Feeds MPEG2 video to Sigma Designs em8300 based boards",
-  "Martin Soto <martinsoto@users.sourceforge.net>"
-};
-
-
 /* Dxr3VideoSink signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -163,7 +153,10 @@ dxr3videosink_base_init (Dxr3VideoSinkClass * klass)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&dxr3videosink_sink_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &dxr3videosink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "dxr3/Hollywood+ mpeg decoder board video element", "Sink/Video",
+      "Feeds MPEG2 video to Sigma Designs em8300 based boards",
+      "Martin Soto <martinsoto@users.sourceforge.net>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/sys/fbdev/gstfbdevsink.c b/sys/fbdev/gstfbdevsink.c
index 6975f55db..989d48f15 100644
--- a/sys/fbdev/gstfbdevsink.c
+++ b/sys/fbdev/gstfbdevsink.c
@@ -39,13 +39,6 @@
 
 #include "gstfbdevsink.h"
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_fbdevsink_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("fbdev video sink",
-    "Sink/Video",
-    "A linux framebuffer videosink",
-    "Sean D'Epagnier <sean@depagnier.com>");
-
 enum
 {
   ARG_0,
@@ -97,7 +90,9 @@ gst_fbdevsink_base_init (gpointer g_class)
       GST_STATIC_CAPS (GST_FBDEV_TEMPLATE_CAPS)
       );
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_fbdevsink_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "fbdev video sink",
+      "Sink/Video",
+      "A linux framebuffer videosink", "Sean D'Epagnier <sean@depagnier.com>");
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
 }
diff --git a/sys/osxvideo/osxvideosrc.c b/sys/osxvideo/osxvideosrc.c
index f70fb588a..83a92cded 100644
--- a/sys/osxvideo/osxvideosrc.c
+++ b/sys/osxvideo/osxvideosrc.c
@@ -634,13 +634,6 @@ gst_osx_video_src_init_interfaces (GType type)
 static void
 gst_osx_video_src_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "Video Source (OSX)",
-    "Source/Video",
-    "Reads raw frames from a capture device on OS X",
-    "Ole Andre Vadla Ravnaas <ole.andre.ravnas@tandberg.com>, "
-        "Ali Sabil <ali.sabil@tandberg.com>"
-  };
 
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
 
@@ -649,7 +642,11 @@ gst_osx_video_src_base_init (gpointer gclass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "Video Source (OSX)",
+      "Source/Video",
+      "Reads raw frames from a capture device on OS X",
+      "Ole Andre Vadla Ravnaas <ole.andre.ravnas@tandberg.com>, "
+      "Ali Sabil <ali.sabil@tandberg.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/sys/qcam/gstqcamsrc.c b/sys/qcam/gstqcamsrc.c
index e757b6c86..76229ac76 100644
--- a/sys/qcam/gstqcamsrc.c
+++ b/sys/qcam/gstqcamsrc.c
@@ -33,13 +33,6 @@
 
 #include "qcamip.h"
 
-/* elementfactory information */
-static const GstElementDetails gst_qcamsrc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("QCam Source",
-    "Source/Video",
-    "Read from a QuickCam device",
-    "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
-
 #define AE_NONE                 3
 
 #define DEF_WIDTH               320
@@ -149,6 +142,7 @@ gst_qcamsrc_get_type (void)
   }
   return qcamsrc_type;
 }
+
 static void
 gst_qcamsrc_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
@@ -156,8 +150,11 @@ gst_qcamsrc_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&gst_qcamsrc_src_factory));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_qcamsrc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "QCam Source",
+      "Source/Video",
+      "Read from a QuickCam device", "Wim Taymans <wim.taymans@chello.be>");
 }
+
 static void
 gst_qcamsrc_class_init (GstQCamSrcClass * klass)
 {
diff --git a/sys/qtwrapper/audiodecoders.c b/sys/qtwrapper/audiodecoders.c
index e041286b7..bd8e73529 100644
--- a/sys/qtwrapper/audiodecoders.c
+++ b/sys/qtwrapper/audiodecoders.c
@@ -934,10 +934,10 @@ qtwrapper_audio_decoder_sink_event (GstPad * pad, GstEvent * event)
 static void
 qtwrapper_audio_decoder_base_init (QTWrapperAudioDecoderClass * klass)
 {
-  GstElementDetails details;
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
   gchar *name = NULL;
   gchar *info = NULL;
+  char *longname, *description;
   ComponentDescription desc;
   QTWrapperAudioDecoderParams *params;
 
@@ -949,19 +949,19 @@ qtwrapper_audio_decoder_base_init (QTWrapperAudioDecoderClass * klass)
   get_name_info_from_component (params->component, &desc, &name, &info);
 
   /* Fill in details */
-  details.longname = g_strdup_printf ("QTWrapper SCAudio Audio Decoder : %s",
+  longname =
+      g_strdup_printf ("QTWrapper SCAudio Audio Decoder : %s",
       GST_STR_NULL (name));
-  details.klass = "Codec/Decoder/Audio";
-  details.description =
+  description =
       g_strdup_printf ("QTWrapper SCAudio wrapper for decoder: %s",
       GST_STR_NULL (info));
-  details.author =
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      longname "Codec/Decoder/Audio", description,
       "Fluendo <gstreamer@fluendo.com>, "
-      "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com>";
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &details);
+      "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com>");
 
-  g_free (details.longname);
-  g_free (details.description);
+  g_free (longname);
+  g_free (description);
   g_free (name);
   g_free (info);
 
diff --git a/sys/qtwrapper/videodecoders.c b/sys/qtwrapper/videodecoders.c
index a9c1c8846..b2e58e968 100644
--- a/sys/qtwrapper/videodecoders.c
+++ b/sys/qtwrapper/videodecoders.c
@@ -138,10 +138,10 @@ static void decompressCb (void *decompressionTrackingRefCon,
 static void
 qtwrapper_video_decoder_base_init (QTWrapperVideoDecoderClass * klass)
 {
-  GstElementDetails details;
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (klass);
   gchar *name = NULL;
   gchar *info = NULL;
+  char *longname, *description;
   ComponentDescription desc;
   QTWrapperVideoDecoderParams *params;
 
@@ -153,19 +153,17 @@ qtwrapper_video_decoder_base_init (QTWrapperVideoDecoderClass * klass)
   get_name_info_from_component (params->component, &desc, &name, &info);
 
   /* Fill in details */
-  details.longname =
+  longname =
       g_strdup_printf ("QTWrapper Video Decoder : %s", GST_STR_NULL (name));
-  details.klass = "Codec/Decoder/Video";
-  details.description =
+  description =
       g_strdup_printf ("QTWrapper SCAudio wrapper for decoder: %s",
       GST_STR_NULL (info));
-  details.author =
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, longname,
+      "Codec/Decoder/Video", description,
       "Fluendo <gstreamer@fluendo.com>, "
-      "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com>";
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &details);
-
-  g_free (details.longname);
-  g_free (details.description);
+      "Pioneers of the Inevitable <songbird@songbirdnest.com>");
+  g_free (longname);
+  g_free (description);
   g_free (name);
   g_free (info);
 
diff --git a/sys/vcd/vcdsrc.c b/sys/vcd/vcdsrc.c
index a96efd70b..938b1b19e 100644
--- a/sys/vcd/vcdsrc.c
+++ b/sys/vcd/vcdsrc.c
@@ -36,12 +36,6 @@
 
 #include "vcdsrc.h"
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_vcdsrc_details =
-GST_ELEMENT_DETAILS ("VCD Source",
-    "Source/File",
-    "Asynchronous read from VCD disk",
-    "Erik Walthinsen <omega@cse.ogi.edu>");
-
 /* VCDSrc signals and args */
 enum
 {
@@ -99,7 +93,9 @@ gst_vcdsrc_base_init (gpointer g_class)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (g_class);
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_vcdsrc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "VCD Source",
+      "Source/File",
+      "Asynchronous read from VCD disk", "Erik Walthinsen <omega@cse.ogi.edu>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&srctemplate));
diff --git a/sys/wasapi/gstwasapisink.c b/sys/wasapi/gstwasapisink.c
index f26e56d6d..3a3d9e906 100644
--- a/sys/wasapi/gstwasapisink.c
+++ b/sys/wasapi/gstwasapisink.c
@@ -64,16 +64,13 @@ static void
 gst_wasapi_sink_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "WasapiSrc",
-    "Sink/Audio",
-    "Stream audio to an audio capture device through WASAPI",
-    "Ole André Vadla Ravnås <ole.andre.ravnas@tandberg.com>"
-  };
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&sink_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "WasapiSrc",
+      "Sink/Audio",
+      "Stream audio to an audio capture device through WASAPI",
+      "Ole André Vadla Ravnås <ole.andre.ravnas@tandberg.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/sys/wasapi/gstwasapisrc.c b/sys/wasapi/gstwasapisrc.c
index 0a0edd2b7..7d04d0518 100644
--- a/sys/wasapi/gstwasapisrc.c
+++ b/sys/wasapi/gstwasapisrc.c
@@ -68,16 +68,13 @@ static void
 gst_wasapi_src_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "WasapiSrc",
-    "Source/Audio",
-    "Stream audio from an audio capture device through WASAPI",
-    "Ole André Vadla Ravnås <ole.andre.ravnas@tandberg.com>"
-  };
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class, "WasapiSrc",
+      "Source/Audio",
+      "Stream audio from an audio capture device through WASAPI",
+      "Ole André Vadla Ravnås <ole.andre.ravnas@tandberg.com>");
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/sys/winks/gstksvideosrc.c b/sys/winks/gstksvideosrc.c
index ed1916226..e9053f15e 100644
--- a/sys/winks/gstksvideosrc.c
+++ b/sys/winks/gstksvideosrc.c
@@ -154,15 +154,12 @@ static void
 gst_ks_video_src_base_init (gpointer gclass)
 {
   GstElementClass *element_class = GST_ELEMENT_CLASS (gclass);
-  static GstElementDetails element_details = {
-    "KsVideoSrc",
-    "Source/Video",
-    "Stream data from a video capture device through Windows kernel streaming",
-    "Ole André Vadla Ravnås <ole.andre.ravnas@tandberg.com>\n"
-        "Haakon Sporsheim <hakon.sporsheim@tandberg.com>"
-  };
-
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &element_details);
+
+  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, "KsVideoSrc",
+      "Source/Video",
+      "Stream data from a video capture device through Windows kernel streaming",
+      "Ole André Vadla Ravnås <ole.andre.ravnas@tandberg.com>, "
+      "Haakon Sporsheim <hakon.sporsheim@tandberg.com>");
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_pad_template_new ("src", GST_PAD_SRC, GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
diff --git a/sys/winscreencap/gstdx9screencapsrc.c b/sys/winscreencap/gstdx9screencapsrc.c
index c14f8d942..83bcea277 100644
--- a/sys/winscreencap/gstdx9screencapsrc.c
+++ b/sys/winscreencap/gstdx9screencapsrc.c
@@ -48,13 +48,6 @@
 
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (dx9screencapsrc_debug);
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_dx9screencapsrc_details = {
-  "DirectX 9 screen capture source",
-  "Source/Video",
-  "Captures screen",
-  "Haakon Sporsheim <hakon.sporsheim@tandberg.com>"
-};
-
 #define GST_VIDEO_ALPHA_MASK_15_INT  0x8000
 
 static GstStaticPadTemplate src_template = GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src",
@@ -111,7 +104,9 @@ gst_dx9screencapsrc_base_init (gpointer klass)
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
 
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_dx9screencapsrc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "DirectX 9 screen capture source", "Source/Video", "Captures screen",
+      "Haakon Sporsheim <hakon.sporsheim@tandberg.com>");
 }
 
 static void
@@ -461,9 +456,10 @@ gst_dx9screencapsrc_start (GstBaseSrc * bsrc)
   if (FAILED (res))
     return FALSE;
 
-  return SUCCEEDED (IDirect3DDevice9_CreateOffscreenPlainSurface (src->
-          d3d9_device, src->disp_mode.Width, src->disp_mode.Height,
-          D3DFMT_A8R8G8B8, D3DPOOL_SYSTEMMEM, &src->surface, NULL));
+  return
+      SUCCEEDED (IDirect3DDevice9_CreateOffscreenPlainSurface (src->d3d9_device,
+          src->disp_mode.Width, src->disp_mode.Height, D3DFMT_A8R8G8B8,
+          D3DPOOL_SYSTEMMEM, &src->surface, NULL));
 }
 
 static gboolean
diff --git a/sys/winscreencap/gstgdiscreencapsrc.c b/sys/winscreencap/gstgdiscreencapsrc.c
index b0109fbd9..3ead8a9a4 100644
--- a/sys/winscreencap/gstgdiscreencapsrc.c
+++ b/sys/winscreencap/gstgdiscreencapsrc.c
@@ -51,13 +51,6 @@
 
 GST_DEBUG_CATEGORY_STATIC (gdiscreencapsrc_debug);
 
-static const GstElementDetails gst_gdiscreencapsrc_details = {
-  "GDI screen capture source",
-  "Source/Video",
-  "Captures screen",
-  "Haakon Sporsheim <hakon.sporsheim@tandberg.com>"
-};
-
 static GstStaticPadTemplate src_template =
 GST_STATIC_PAD_TEMPLATE ("src", GST_PAD_SRC, GST_PAD_ALWAYS,
     GST_STATIC_CAPS (GST_VIDEO_CAPS_BGR));
@@ -106,7 +99,9 @@ gst_gdiscreencapsrc_base_init (gpointer klass)
 
   gst_element_class_add_pad_template (element_class,
       gst_static_pad_template_get (&src_template));
-  gst_element_class_set_details (element_class, &gst_gdiscreencapsrc_details);
+  gst_element_class_set_details_simple (element_class,
+      "GDI screen capture source", "Source/Video", "Captures screen",
+      "Haakon Sporsheim <hakon.sporsheim@tandberg.com>");
 }
 
 static void