Flip UltraHD Video Camera - Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL by Flip Video
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Digital camera reviews of Flip UltraHD Video Camera - Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL
Digital camera Review: A Disappointment
Summary: 1 Stars
I was very excited to get this camera. I read the reviews about the battery problems and thought; "Well there isn't a large enough group of reviewers with that problem to worry me about my choice."
Boy was I wrong.
The battery wouldn't charge from day 1. It would get very hot when it was plugged in to my computer. It would give me battery error after battery error. I tried every remedy I found online and nothing worked. A whole lot of people online have posted about this problem. It is rampant with this camera.
I underwent the terrible process of sending it back to Flip for support. Their customer support is horrendous. The website is poorly laid out, and it is nearly impossible to contact the company. I finally sent the camera back after emailing several technicians (who refused to admit that it was a very prevalent problem with their product).
Several weeks later, I got a refurbished camera in a white box. I was happy. Problem solved, right?
Wrong. The replacement camera HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I now have to use AA batteries to operate the camera, but this thing burns through batteries like wildfire. I had a terrible experience with this camera and cannot recommend it to anyone.
*Here is a review of the other features of the camera, aside from the terrible battery.
It records decent video and the sound is good too. The USB flipout dongle is nice in that you don't have another cable to carry around. However, it is not flexible, so I couldn't plug it into my Macbook because the camera body got in the way. I had to get a separate wired USB hub out to use it without breaking the plug or my computer. The included software is terrible. Clunky, slow, and idiotically designed.
Bottom line: Stay far, far away.
Digital camera Review: A Mom review - Pretty cool and super easy to use.
Summary: 4 Stars
I literally bought this on the fly 2 hrs before my daughters' kindg. graduation when I realized that our video camera (mini dvd) wasnt responding. I ran into a major bix box and literally spent about 1 minute deciding. So 6 mos later here's my review:
What's great it that it's super easy to use! I was opening up the box IN the car on the way to the elem. school and the batteries were already charged and included. I popped them in, turned it on and played with it all the way down the road - the graduation was saved! I was amazed at how I was walking out of the store and 5 min later taking video. The major plus for me is that it takes 2 double "a" batts - I recommend the rechargable ones. That is smart thinking and so much better than the hoops I had to jump through with my previous video thing.
Unbelievably easy to edit at home. You pop the sucker into your usb port and its all right there. No longer do I have to have clips of boring scenes, it helps you (very easily) make a "mash up" of all clips you choose to make a movie (it even lets you add background music, credits, etc!) All friends and relatives were in love with the mini movies that gave them highlights of the graduation - not the entire hour of mind numbing kindger. songs and talking.
So I love love the ease of use, the quality, the sharp clear picture, the ease of sharing the video with others.
My last gush - no cords! NONE! Zero! My little old mini dvd had cords for everything - g_d forbid you lost one - then you had to shell out big bucks to replace and marry everything together. The days of the "camera" bag are over...just make sure you have an extra set of charged double a's with you (that can charge in the car?) and you're good to go.
The only issue I really have is with image stabilization (bounce) you'd think that something this little and cool, that it would be a given that it has it on it. NOPE. You have to hold your hand very still....I mean this thing practically scrambles your eggs for you and they didn't think to add stabilization?
Other than that annoyance - this is one cool product. No longer do I have a collection of 100 mini dvd's to deal with - this is direct to the computer and thats what I love about it.
Digital camera Review: A Nifty Little Camera
Summary: 4 Stars
What I like about this flip cam is that you can carry it in your pocket, and it has HD quality. it doesn't do everything and the zoom is not too great, but it is a great buy for the money and will serve you well.Digital camera Review: A Web Video Tool That Covers The Basics
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
The new Flip Ultra HD Camcorder comes in with a few new upgrades over the original Ultra. Notably the internal memory jumps up to 8GB. Image quality is much improved via the new installed software package. Like earlier models, it accommodates both Mac and Windows operating sytems.
The non-glare LCD screen is re-sized from 1.5" to 2". Also the control buttons are slightly larger. The sliding power button has gone away in favor of the push button. This unit is also slightly larger then the original Ultra. The UltraHD comes in a rubberized matted black or white finish with a plastic, chrome trim.
Simplicity at its best, the UltraHD shoots 720p (1280x720) high-definition video at 30fps, H.264 compressed, and encoded as MPEG4. As with all Flip gear, shooting and transferring videos to a computer or even uploading them to file sharing sites is simple. Buyers should not get all caught up on the on board 2x digital zoom. It is a limited add on at best. Newbies be warned, manual, advanced or still capture settings are no go. However, the preloaded software package easily allows stills to be pulled from video.
Overall, the Ultra HD produces above average video with good results as long as one views it via the programmed format on a monitor or TV. Enlarging to full screen will not only distort the image, it will also bring on the noise demons. That said, colors were well saturated, sound was good and low light performance was average at best. Buyers should keep in mind that a steady hand is paramount to good video. Think tripod.
Powered by (2) AA NiMH rechargeable batteries that are re-energized by simply connecting the camcorder via the flip out USB connector to the USB port on the computer. In a pinch, the rechargeable batteries can be switched out with standard AA alkaline batteries. There is an HDMI output on the side for HDTV connections, but no bundled cable included.
Without a doubt, the Flip UltraHD Camcorder ranks at the top of its class in convenience and simplicity. For those not wishing to drop the bucks on a top of the line mini camcorder, this system will more than cover the basics for web based video. Like all equipment, knowing its capabilities and limitations is paramount to getting the most bang for your buck. This model is a keeper.
Digital camera Review: A fine little gadget.
Summary: 5 Stars
I hadn't expected to be impressed with the Flip UltraHD...but I am. The combination of size, lots of storage, simple operation and clever sharing is a winner. I bought a 15' fullsize-to-mini HDMI cable ($9) to direct-connect it to our 46" HDTV - the images are surprisingly good. The mic is just fine, too, and low-light sensitivity varies but averages pretty good. I also have a $1000 Canon full HD hard drive vidcam: its quality is nutty good, but the Flip is only a step or so down and always handy. If you have a new grandchild, don't think twice - just buy this gadget.