 Brilliant, Compact Camcorder |
| Review Date: May 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Laura I, Fairchild AFB, WA |
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R36XMSX3O7L286 I've made a video review, using the Flip Ultra Camcorder, so that you can see the audio/video feature (Keep in mind I had to compress the video a small bit for Amazon), and I also show how to use the camcorder.
In my mind-set, this is an brilliant camcorder for a novice, or someone who just wants an simple to use camcorder that is small and compact. I personally don't need more than 2 hours recording time and it's wonderful not having to buy tapes.
The price is in fact less than many digital cameras. I've wanted to own a camcorder for a long time, and the Flip Ultra has finally met my standards for: feature, value, and ease of use. |
The simplest video camcorder you'll ever own
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| Review Date: June 6, 2009 |
| Reviewer: digerati, San Francisco, CA United States |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3TMDUW1IZVQYN Showing the 2nd generation Flip in action: using the Flip and what's in the box, some video samples, and a quick movie editing example using the Windows version of the Flip software. |
Simple and Brilliant
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| Review Date: September 23, 2009 |
| Reviewer: E-Cowboy, |
If you've done any camcorder shopping at all, it doesn't take long to grasp that we've got a problem with gathering/feature overload. You could pick camcorder A with night vision, steady hand, and sepia filming capabilities...or you could pick camcorder B with the touch screen, HD video feature, and 50 other functions that you'd never use... The list, as you no doubt have learned, goes on and on.
This is why I Like my Flip. Within 2 summary of opening the box, it was on and ready to start recording. Within those same two summary, I'd read the directions on how to record, playback, and download the videos onto my pad. In my mind-set, this is brilliant equipment - it's small, convenient, and incredibly simple. Still want high-feature videos, not to worry, this puppy can capture 'em.
If you're an aspiring filmmaker with a commitment to the best of the best of the best...the Flip's probably not the best choice for you. But if you're like the vast margin of people who just want a feature camcorder (and be honest, even though they sound cool, you won't use a split up of those facial advent on the $400+ camcorders) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, buy the Flip. It's incredible. |
Smart changes to an already outstanding product.
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| Review Date: June 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: W. C. Bryant, Columbus, OH USA |
I bought family members first generation Flips some time ago, and they were so impressed by their simplicity and convenience that I had to get one for myself. I justified it by explaining to my wife that it would make Amazon reviews so much simpler (I haven't once used it in that way), but really I saw it as a new toy. Sometimes less is more, and that surely seems to hold right in the camcorder world -- at least as far as the Flip is worried. While there are surely larger, better, and far more professional solutions about, the real value to the Flip is that it can go with you somewhere, and you can forget all about it until a shooting situation comes up. We've used ours to record press conferences, and post the same online for others to see. We've made our own virtual tours of homes we were interested in. We sent it to Princeton for my grandfather's 65th reunion, so I could at least delight in the merriment from a distance. We've used it far more often than we ever imagined we really would, and it's proven to be as much a real tool as a novelty. That you can hand it to someone who has never seen it before, and instruction can be limited to "on/off here, start/stop recording there," means that it's near universally accessible, and fun even for those who might otherwise be to some extent technologically averse.
I grabbed the 2d gen Ultra since I wanted the bonus storage space. What I didn't expect was to delight in a larger view screen, a better (by my eye) on/off toggle (a simple push button, rather than a slide), higher feature audio, and a number of functional enhancements on the software side, such as mass delete with confirm.
Curiously, I no longer seem to be able to just pull the .avi files from the Flip into the Movie Maker software that comes bundled with Windows Vista, but I'm not set to in fact complain about that fact, as it may be as simple as saving them in another format before pulling them in. If someone else has a meaningful key here, I'd like to hear it.
That aside, I'd be hard pressed to come up with a single gripe about this generation of the Flip. Unlike carrying around a 'real' camera or camcorder, you can toss this one in your pocket and forget all about it until you need or want it. You can teach others to use it in under 30 seconds. Uploading to services like Youtube is simple even for those who have never done it before, with or without the software bundled in the camera itself. I couldn't be more pleased that I took the leap from the basic first generation to the Ultra 2nd. |
Fantastic Portable Video Camera
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| Review Date: May 18, 2009 |
| Reviewer: cjw333, San Jose, CA United States |
I've owned a few video cameras over the years but none of them have gotten much use mainly due to the size of the camera. In my mind-set it's not always practical to haul those things around. When they do get used, the video that I take tends to sit on those small tapes never to be seen again. It's just too much of a hassle to go the content from tape to digital so I can edit and finally watch what I've recorded.
Enter the Flip - with a size that fits easily in the hand (about the size of an iPod but narrower and a bit thicker) this device is also easily stuffed in a bag so you have it the world over you go. For me this accessibility makes it much more practical compared to a traditional video camera.
Another huge selling point for me is the simplicity. It's simple enough to use that I reckon even my parents could operate it with small instruction. It starts up in a flash and is instantly ready to record (from off to record in about 5 sec). The huge red button records and stops recording. That's all you really need to know. Of course there are zoom and playback options that take the Flip beyond simple recording.
Although the Flip works well in low light, it's best that you film in daylight or a well lit room. I did a test shot at night in a dimly lit room and the video was watchable but a bit grainy. Filming outside during the day resulted in crisp, clear video. If you're looking to do a lot of recording in low light the HD version might be a better choice for you.
I also like the fact that I can watch my recordings right on the device itself. The built in screen is excellent enough for a few people to gather around for a quick view of what was just recorded. It has built in audio as well. If you want to show off your video to a larger crowd you can use the audio/video out on the side of your Fip to plug directly into a TV with a composite input (HD version has and HDMI output).
Getting the video from your Flip to your pad couldn't be simpler. You basically flip out the small USB arm and plug your camera directly into your pad. When plugged in the flip will show up as a hard drive so if for some reason you don't want to install the software you can just drag and drop video files just as you might do from a thumb drive or other external drive. The software, but, gives you a nice interface for handing out your videos on your Flip as well as those that you've went to your pad. In addition to simplified file management the software gives your an simple way to edit videos, take snapshots and make your own movies by joining together multiple files.
I'm very excited to use my Flip for an upcoming vacation. The small size will fit easily into my day bag and with 2 hours of recording time I should have plenty of room to store a day's worth of video. I also like the fact that the Flip takes AA batteries (regular or rechargeable) so if I run out of juice while I'm out I should be able to find replacements easily. Finally since it's so simple to transfer the video to my pad I might in fact end up watching these videos for a change. |
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