Flip Mino HD Camcorder with 4GB Internal Memory and Widescreen – Black
Posted by Notcot on Apr 18, 2010 in Photography |
5 CommentsReply |
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I have used this high definition camcorder of mobile phone dimensions for recording guitar pieces and people speaking. The video and the sound quality are excellent. Putting videos onto youtube with the camera’s software is straightforward as is editing the videos.
You plug the camera straight into your computer via a flip out USB jack and you can then work with your vids while the camera is charging.
There are two tiny niggles with the camera. As is often the case, in the paper instructions one of the procedures does not give the right button to press to do something(see later for correct order). Once you have cracked this everything is very easy. Secondly when using the camera’s own software rather than another upload programme to transfer videos to youtube, an irritating message is embedded on your youtube video saying ‘recorded on (date) on a flip mino camcorder'(or words to that effect)which stays there even if you delete it on the youtube upload set up. I have managed to get rid of this once or twice and will eventually suss out how to avoid this or use another upload programme for transfer.
Now that youtube is doing HD vids the quality of the HD recording is not diminished by uploading to a lower format.
Unlike it’s Kodak counterpart, this camera can be stood on a flat surface because the designers were smart enough not to put the attachment for the handcord on the bottom surface. There is also a standard tripod thread and the small Gorillapod tripod works well.
Switch on, frame the shot, press the red button to start and finish recording. Press bottom right then top left to view. Press the trashcan, bottom left and top left to erase ( these buttons move the cursor to yes). Use the plus and minus signs to zoom when recording – if you must – and to adjust volume when playing back. The camera will switch itself off if you leave it standing for more than about 30 secs.
When plugged into the computer a white light on the usb jack flashes until charged then stays on all the time. Remember to press your ‘safely remove device’ button on your computer toolbar before removing the camera from the USB socket, just in case…
The best piece of gear for me. Well thought out and not complicated but beautiful results. Expect to pay around £170 with delivery included. I would not buy this particular product from the US. Get a proper import designed for the UK.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Flip Mino HD is a mobile phone sized camcorder which records in a high definition format. It doesn’t need tapes, discs or batteries and is small enough to slip into your pocket. It does come very nicely packaged in a compact box which seems designed to remind you just how small this camcorder is.
In use it is incredibly simple to operate – my technophobe wife loves it and can use it very easily. In fact, because it’s so simple I could happily let my small nieces hold it without worrying that they might press the wrong button or damage it somehow. Although the picture quality isn’t perfect it is very good for a small lens unit such as this one, and it adapts quickly to low light levels – in some situations it gave more detail in low light than I could make out by sight. The sound quality is very good too and it picks out conversations quite well even in noisier surroundings. It can be hand held, stood up on it’s flat bottom or used on a tripod.
There aren’t any software discs to worry about as everything is stored in the camcorder for you to use if you want, or you can just copy and paste the files to play another way on your computer. However, I did have some problems playing the HD videos on my computer – using Quicktime Player it couldn’t handle the HD clips without some jerkiness, and the best results were obtained by simply connecting it up to my television. One very important thing to note is that the Mino Flip is TOUGH – it was accidentally dropped about four feet onto concrete slabs and the only damage is a small scratch on the corner – and it still works perfectly!
There is only one real drawback for me – like any other small recording device this unit suffers from camera shake and would benefit from some stability software being installed.
Rating: 4 / 5
I, like a many, was in awe of the price tag on this little gadget. It does what it says. You press the button it records, press it again it stops. It will playback with audio coming out of speakers and is as simple as simple as can be.
The things I wish it also did just as simple but oddly missing:
There is no pause facility so if you want to edit on the fly you cant which means there is a ot of unwanted footage being digitised. You can also NOT pause playback.
There is no fast forward or rewind – this get VERY anoying.
The TV out jack is tiny. Its an irregular size and requires a specific cable. It woyuld be better to of been standard.
Finaly the ‘HD’ written on the cover is not TRUE HD. It is what is commonly known as HD but just does not live up to what we have come to expect from a HD TV (for example). The 720p is not a patch on the 1080p or even the 1080i (not available on this device yet).
The size nd weight is exceptrionaly small and light. Its great to pretend its a phone and film people cheekily without them knowing whikle pressing it to your ear, but if you want holiday snaps it will jiggle about and shake with the slightest hand movement. A really jumpy picture is the result. Weight and stability usually gives better results.
Finally, the screen is 4:3 but the picture is 16:9. This is very odd and a waste of screen. You think your getting a bigger picture until you switch it on.
A new 8Gb version hs ust been released in the states. I’d get that version and leave this one on the shelf. I also suspect the features listed abouve will be available soon so it might be worthwhile waiting a little longer for what is essesntially a good quality ‘phone’ camera.
Oh and grabing your videos is easy nd like using a USB memory stick. File format is WMV – disappointing. MOVs would be better.
Rating: 3 / 5
Within the design constraints that Flip have set for themselves, this is an excellent camcorder but it does have some limitations which you need to weigh up before deciding whether to purchase this or a more expensive full sized camcorder.
Pros:
1. Tiny and light weight
2. Video quality is excellent at 720p HD
3. Sound quality is good, though not perfect
4. Software is built into the device (it installs when you first connect via USB) and easy to use.
5. Simple upload to sites such as Youtube
6. Basic video editing software provided for either making a movie or creating a DVD
Cons:
1. Only charges via a USB port (giving around 2 hours use)
2. The 4GB memory is not expandable so you are limited to around an hour recording before you need to dock at a computer to clear it down
3. Because of its size and shape the video can tend to be a little shaky, so using something like the Gorillapod tripod gives a great improvement.
4. The zoom facility isn’t really worth using as it does very little.
It has the feel of a camera design for taking snapshots rather than high quality film – think of it in terms of a compact camera versus a DSLR.
It is great fun to use though and being so small you can carry it around in your pocket to capture moments that would be too much bother with a full sized camcorder.
Rating: 4 / 5
Great little product. What I love is that you dont need any tapes, any leads, any connectors. Inevitably, in the real world you only need one of these things missing and that spontaneous piece of home video simply doesnt get captured. The flip has it all- software stored on the device itself, integral USB connector that flips out transfers the data and charges. 60 minutes of HD onboard should be more than enough for most needs, although I guess for a longer holiday you might need to consider hooking up to a PC to download/charge. Overall, I love it. Anything to Improve: better image stablity control- this is a small unit, hard to hold steady. But it does attach to tripod easily enough. Oh yes, and its HD and it comes in a really cool box. The ipod of videocameras. Go get one.
Rating: 4 / 5