Flip Mino Video Camera - Black, 2 GB,1 Hour (1st Generation) OLD MODEL
by Flip Video
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List Price: Our Price: $40.00 You Save: $109.99 (73%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Flip Mino Video Camera - Black, 2 GB,1 Hour (1st Generation) OLD MODEL
Customer Review: Mixed reactions to new FLIP VIDEO
Summary: 3 Stars
The new FLIP is a wonderful little device, when you first start using it. However there's a down side that almost makes me want to return to the previous generation.
It does NOT take AA batteries. In my opion that's a deal killer for many users. With rechargable batteries I can have an almost unlimited supply of power in the field. Swap out batteries in 2 minutes. However, this version must be plugged into your USB port on the computer in order to charge. We never can get ours to fully charge, the light just keeps blinking and blinking.
If taken to remote sites, on safari in Africa, skiing, etc., you'll be disappointed when the charge goes dead, and there's no computer around to recharge -- or, as in our recent safari in Africa... NO CURRENT for camera OR laptop! I must note, the charge hasn't run out on our unit but once. Playback seriously degrades the charge, so keeping playback to a minimum can really extend that life.
Touch sensitive controls are very cool -- as driven by the recent iPhone craze ... until you get into the field. We've experienced numerous "misfires" and "false starts" because one or more of the 'other' touch areas were accidentally touched.
Aside from those gripes, the new FLIP is a beautiful piece of engineering -- very sexy looking, and elegant to hold and show off. The video 'seems' to be much better, (Although the zoom still really sucks) and audio seems to be more clear.
If you don't plan to use this gem in far-away places where recharging is a problem, I think you'll love it. When shooting, be extra aware of camera movement. The smaller a device gets, camera movement becomes more of an issue. New users who try it out tend to have so much camera movement it makes the video unwatchable. Hold'em as steady as you can, folks!
We'll be testing the uint next week on a boat run over to BIMINI islands, and will have a new report and review in August.
Fred Showker
DTG Magazine
graphic-design.com
Customer Review: Simple to use right out of the box!
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Straight out of the box, we were impressed--the box was very heavy duty (very similar to an ipod box if you've seen those). The camera itself was extremely tiny and lightweight--definitely something to throw in a pocket or a purse.
Hubby grabbed the camera while I got out the instructions--but they were almost unnecessary. Simply press the power button and hit record and you are off and running! Yes, the camera comes with a charge! (We guess between a half and 3/4 charge!)
We did a few test movies of our dog and the zoom feature worked well. The playback was easy to figure out, and we quickly hooked it up to our TV to test playback there. WOW, we were both impressed! The video was amazingly clear! The only thing we didn't like is that there is no image stabilization--hence only 4 stars (although if we could, we'd give it 4.5 stars).
Once you hook the camera up to the computer (via flip out USB) it prompts you to load the software. We were worried it might not work in Vista, but it worked flawlessly. There are very cool movie modes that can be used to alter your video--for example it will change your video to a "nostalgic" old-timey look (complete with frayed film edges, sepia tone, and period theme music). Of course, you can leave the video as-is as well!
This is definitely a keeper! This is the perfect camera to carry with you if you want to catch some quick action--like pets or kids--or family events since it can capture up to one hour. It is also a great camera for non-geek or non-technical people...everything is pretty much self explanatory and takes just a few clicks. You will not be sorry you purchased this camera!
Customer Review: Flip Video Mino
Summary: 5 Stars
i purchased the mino just over a month ago. i was primarily looking for a video camera that was small, had a decent battery and made it easy to transfer the footage. the flip meets all three qualifications. i've used my flip more in the past few weeks than i've used my larger camcorder in the past three years collectively. it's small size makes it perfect to keep in my purse so that it's always at hand for the random, funny moments that you never expect but would love to have recorded.
at first, i was concerned that the 60 minute battery life wouldn't be enough. however, in the past three weeks i've taken it out with friends, to a political rally, and on a weekend trip and have had plenty of time and battery life left. it's an extremely simple process to transfer the footage to your computer so i no longer have to worry about footage sitting on my camcorder for months at a time. plus, i really like that i can email it to my friends in a matter of minutes.
so far, i have two negatives: (1) i was recording last weekend and it froze while i was recording. it wouldn't turn off so i had to let the battery die before i could do anything with it. thankfully, it froze just as i was finished recording. however, i am concerned that it may happen again. (2) the video editing software that is on the flip is extremely basic. to really do anything w/ your footage, you need to purchase additional software. while i didn't expect it to come w/ top-notch software, i thought it would be a little more advanced.
a friend has the original flip and while it really isn't that much larger than the mino, i definitely prefer the mino. it's a sleeker design that is worth the extra few dollars. overall, i love my flip. i'm confident that i will record a lot more memories than i ever would have w/ a regular camcorder.
Customer Review: Great but a devastating problem to be aware of
Summary: 4 Stars
Update after 5 months:
I am totally enjoying the Flip Mino. I use it for training, fun weekend projects, and lately to liven up work meetings. I take it to work meetings where there is informal interaction and give a demonstration on using it to a few people then at the end of the day I see what I got. I've done this three times and created little <2min video recaps and people enjoy them. With the video editing software it's easy to do a quick video and send it out to the group. I'm glad I got the camera though the loss of the family interviews still makes me sick to my stomach.
I've had this for 5 weeks and it's been great fun. It was easy to use out of the box and connect to my computer. I trimmed the videos and made one larger video with titles and such. But the first big event came and I had a problem. I interviewed people at the family reunion. When I went to transfer the videos to my machine I manage to transfer 1 and delete the other 9. Now I'm not saying there wasn't user error involved. I thought I knew how to do it and wasn't reading the prompts carefully, BUT (1) there is no undo, when they are deleted that's it even if the camera is still plugged in, even searching through camera directories like a hard drive all that was there was the JPG thumbnails of what I used to have, (2) WHY would I want to transfer one and delete the rest?? I was just working with one at a time so I could watch them, name them something helpful, note what needed to be trimmed then move to the next video. I guess the intention is you transfer them all then change filenames later.
It's been 2 weeks and I just look at the camera and want to puke. Their tech support has been responsive, but I have no videos. I wish the story had a happy ending, I haven't told the family yet.
Customer Review: so tiny, easy & fun
Summary: 5 Stars
I received the Flip Mino for christmas (yesterday) as a surprise from my boyfriend. I'd never even looked into them, but pulled it out of the box and immediately started taking video of my family and friends and flipped out the usb jack and watched on my computer. it's so easy to throw in pocket or purse and it seems nobody really notices that you're shooting video so they act naturally. the screen and internal speaker makes viewing them instantly enjoyable, and i used the tv jack to test that out as well. the quality on the tv screen is surprisingly good. i expected it to be much less clear than it was, so it was a pleasant surprise.
it seems an ideal little camcorder for people like me who want to have it at the ready. i have a decent cell phone but the video quality is never so great on cell phones. this is about the size of my phone with decent quality and with 60 minutes of storage, you can capture a lot of funny memories.
i have a parrot who is very camera shy and she has no clue that i'm taking video of her with this thing, so i can get some cute images of her.
i had absolutely no idea i was getting this gift and it ended up one of my cooler gifts of the season. i recommend it.
i can't comment with regard to long-term use since i've had it less than 24 hours at this point. i'd say it's probably like most electronics--hit or miss. i've had ipods with NO problem whatsoever and i also have one that's completely dead after a couple years use. i think that's the luck of the draw sometimes, unfortunately.
only time will tell for me and my flip mino. i wouldn't shy away from it out of fear that it will not last....again, i think it's hit and miss sometimes.
get one and start shooting.