gst_element_class_set_details => gst_element_class_set_details_simple

81 files changed, 345 insertions, 635 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));