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 great little camcorder, soooo easy to use!
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
*I also own the Flip Mino so my review is based on a comparison between the Flip Mino and the new Flip UltraHD.
*The original Mino is more compact, and feels a little "plastic-y."
*The Mino HD has some heft to it, but it also makes it feel a bit sturdier.
*The original Mino has an all-plastic outer shell.
*The Mino HD has a smooth silicone/rubberish gripper material (which I loooove).
*The original Mino? 9 seconds of video = 4.53MB
*The Mino HD? 9 seconds of video = 10.1MB
*The original Mino is rechargable via USB only.
*The Mino HD is rechargable via USB and replaceable AA batteries (says the description, although to be honest, I haven't read the instructions, and I can't easily see where/how the battery compartment works).
*The original Mino has a TV out jack.
*The Mino HD has an HDMI out jack.
*The original Mino has touch-sensitive buttons (which I find somewhat confusing.)
*The Mino HD has actual buttons (which I find easier).
Both versions work well in low light (and do an amazing job compared to my Canon SD600 digital camera).
The HD version powers up a smidge quicker (maybe 2 seconds), but that can be a lot if you're trying to catch a kid or a pet in action.
The only reason it gets 4 stars is because I am not fond of the USB connection--as I said, the unit has a bit of heft to it, so when I plug it into my laptop, I feel like I need to brace the camcorder so it doesn't weigh on the USB. I am sure it's strong enough, but I worry about it.
Overall, I can highly recommend this camcorder...it is just up to you to decide which features are most important (item size, file size, battery charging, etc.)
Digital camera Review: A handy utility
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this for the purpose of capturing clips to make Youtube video. It fills the bill. It is easy to use. The software is intuitive. And the HD image is quite acceptable.
It is for people with limited requirement.
However, if you want to take family video or other more sophisticated applications, this unit will be quite lacking. It doesn't have image stabilization. Without a tripod or monopod, the video is jumpy. The 2x digital zoom is very limited
Digital camera Review: A review from a Mac user's perspective.
Summary: 4 Stars
There's so much that's already been written about the Flip UltraHD that it's hard to relate any kind of new information that hasn't already been talked about ten times over. So instead, I'll give a general review plus some insight from the perspective of a Mac user since lots of people will be using this camera with their Macs.
From a usage perspective this camcorder is insanely easy, far easier than even the easiest tape or hard drive-based camcorder could ever achieve. There's a lot to like in its design; the rubberized plastics to keep a firm grip, the clear and obvious markings on the buttons, the rechargeable battery, the clear and bright LCD screen, the reasonable zoom level, the ability to lock the controls so it doesn't accidentally turn on, etc. But there's also a few things that I'm not so crazy about. For example, I'd have liked to see a lens cover on the camera to keep that big ol' lens from getting scratched. I find the zoom controls (UP and DOWN on the control pad) to be awkward to use when holding the camera with one hand. The video inevitably shakes a bit as you try to move your thumb around. I'd have liked a rocker or slide switch just below the control pad instead. The included lariat, while strong, feels insanely cheap, like one of those plastic necklaces you get for 25¢ at the supermarket vending machine. As a mixed blessing they also make it difficult to delete a video on the camera; you have to press three times on different buttons to delete. On the one hand that makes it harder to accidentally delete a video, but it also makes it a pain to purposely delete a video. I also wouldn't have minded the ability to use the camcorder as a webcam but that's not on the menu either.
For the Mac users out there, here's what you want to know: The camcorder plugs in via USB. It works on both USB 1 and USB 2 ports but of course it's much faster on USB 2, and given the size of the video files (roughly 4GB per hour) you'll definitely want USB 2. Your Mac will see the camera both as a USB storage device AND as a camera. For the former, you'll see a "FLIPVIDEO" volume appear on your desktop. This contains both Mac and Windows versions of the FlipShare software (completely 100% not needed for a Macintosh) as well as a "DCIM" folder (Digital Camera IMages) that contains your MPEG4 video files. You can drag-copy those files from the camera to wherever you want. Alternately, because the Mac sees the camcorder as a camera, you can use iPhoto, iMovie, or Image Capture to copy the videos from the camera to the computer. (NOTE: iMovie HD, the last version of the 'old' iMovie, does not see the camcorder. iMovie '08 and iMovie '09 both see the camcorder and can access the videos directly.) When you're done copying you can delete the videos from the camera if you wish, then just drag the "FLIPVIDEO" icon from the desktop to the EJECT icon. If you leave the camcorder plugged in it will charge via USB; otherwise, unplug it and away you go.
At first I was somewhat reluctant to have this camcorder. After all, I have a very powerful (and very large) Sony Digital8 camcorder that has served me well for MANY years. My Canon PowerShot digital camera also takes exceptional videos, and with an 8GB memory card in it I can record for quite awhile. And in a pinch, my cell phone (which also has an 8GB memory card in it) can record a couple hours of video if I let it. So I'm not hurting for video recording. But the UltraHD is the first camcorder I've owned which does true high definition video and due to a combination of its size, fast setup time, and insanely easy to use architecture, I find myself carrying this camcorder almost everywhere I go. Because you never know. :)
Digital camera Review: Absolutely Amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
This camera is a real Gem! To think that you have an HD camera the size of 2 card decks!! It is 720p which is beautiful Hi Def Most people can not tell 1080 from 720 and that is the real truth at 42 inch sets and below and you have to look hard on larger sets. The colors are beautiful - lens is sharp with very good white balance! It comes with replaceable batteries which makes it a little bigger. Has an HDMI and the software is easy to use. Just wonderful for the whole family.If it only had image camera Review: Absolutely SuperSummary: 5 Stars This Flip UltraHD Camcorder is absolutely Super. The quality of
the videos is outstanding and so much is packed in such a small
portable unit. Easy to use without question and wish I had purchased
one of these camcorders long ago. Highly recommend this product to
anyone.