Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 4 GB, 1 Hour (1st Generation) OLD MODEL by Flip Video
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Digital camera reviews of Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 4 GB, 1 Hour (1st Generation) OLD MODEL
Digital camera Review: BEWARE of minimum Mac/PC system requirements!!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I am a Mac user who owns the regular Flip Mino camcorder and was looking forward to upgrading to the Flip Mino HD model. However, when I received my Flip Mino HD and started to open the box, I was surprised by the Minimum System Requirements listed on the flap. Amazon.com's product description page for the Mino HD simply says: "Operating System Compatibility - Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OSX." HOWEVER...The minimum requirements listed on the box are much more detailed, as follows:
PC: 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 or faster processor, Windows XP SP2 with 512MB of RAM or Vista with 1 GB or RAM, and USB 2.0 port.
MAC: 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo or faster processor, 1 GB of RAM, OS X Tiger 10.4 or Leopard 10.5, and USB 2.0 port.
Now, I realize that most people today may have computers that easily meet or exceed these requirements. But all of my Macs--an older iMac and two PowerBooks--have 1.5 GHz PowerPC processors (with 1.25 GB of RAM, running OS X Tiger 10.4.11). But I decided to try the new HD camcorder anyway.
Alas, the video taken with the Flip Mino HD will not play on any of my computers. The Flip software installed on my computer without a problem, but when I try to play back video shot with the camera on my computers, it is extremely choppy and unwatchable. (This happens whether I'm playing the video using the Flip software or QuickTime.)
I'm very surprised that Amazon didn't thoroughly outline the system requirements for the Mino HD on the product page. Even if you click on "See More Technical Details" on the product page, you don't get the down and dirty system requirement info.
I'm giving the Flip Mino HD 4 stars in this review because I can't write the review without giving a star rating and I didn't want to penalize the product with a poor review just because Amazon.com didn't properly list the minimum system requirements. I am very confident that the HD is a great product. I base this on the reviews that I've read (including a great one in the New York Times) and on my experience with the standard Flip Mino camcorder. I just wanted to alert people who may have older, less powerful computers that you may have problems using the Flip Mino HD.
FYI, I contacted Flip customer support and got this response in regards to the issue at hand:
"If you are running below the minimum requirements, we cannot guarantee that the Mino HD will perform to its full capacities. Certain functions and tasks may be delayed or may not work at all. It all depends on your processing speed and computer space. We apologize for any inconvenience."
Bottom line: If you have an older Mac or PC, you may want to stick with the standard Flip Mino instead of the HD model.
Digital camera Review: BIGGEST DRAWBACK! EMAIL!!
Summary: 3 Stars
I have had my MinoHD for a few days and for the money and size it is a terrific device. Easy to use and good quality video. Here is the big problem: Flip has in their software a way to email your videos, except it is impossible to do so. I have been trying for 2 days to email a 2 minute 10 second video (to myself as well as to family) and it will not go through. i even tried a 15 second video but that could not be sent by email. Very dissapointing. I have suggested to FLIP that they remove that part of the software from their program. If you want to email videos don't get this model.Digital camera Review: Bad battery - short warranty
Summary: 2 Stars
While the product is cool and works great (when it works) - my unit had a problem in recharging the battery after some 5 months. The Flip support would not help me , saying that the warranty is only for 3 months. This is extremely annoying as the product is practically useless now - as a recharge is good for only 5 minutes of shooting.Digital camera Review: Best camera for the size and price
Summary: 5 Stars
Very good quality video - very small and very convenient. So far its the best I have seen and the softwae is great. Amazon is a great organization to deal with. So far - - - not one problem.Digital camera Review: Best piece of technology in a long time!
Summary: 5 Stars
The first practical video camera. If your looking to capture real life 'up close' moments for sharing with others, this is the tool. Not for long distances or big events. Great for everything else.