Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 4 GB, 1 Hour (1st Generation) OLD MODEL
by Flip Video
List Price:
Our Price: $124.50
You Save: $75.49 (38%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $50.00 (click here)
Category: Digital Camera
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Flip VideoFormat: CD
Model: F460B
Color: Black
Product features:
- Holds 60 minutes of HD-quality video (1280 x 720 resolution at 30 frames per second; 16:9 widescreen) on 4 GB of built-in memory
- Weighs only 3.3 ounces; Super-slim, super-sleek design, fits into your pocket or purse
- Features one-touch recording and digital zoom
- Flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your computer to launch built-in FlipShare software
- FlipShare software lets you save and organize your videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, email your videos, and upload them
- Pinnacle Studio HD V14 [OLD VERSION]
- Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9 [OLD VERSION]
- Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Collection V14 [OLD VERSION]
- Nero 9 [OLD VERSION]
- Case Logic UP-2 Universal Pockets Medium (Lipstick Pink)
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 4 GB, 1 Hour (1st Generation) OLD MODEL
Customer Review: Meets expectations well.
Summary: 3 Stars
I've never been terribly fond of the Flip series. The Mino HD is the first Flip camera I've tried that I actually like. While I think they could have made a series of improvements to the design that would've aided its operation, it still gets my vote for one of the best pocket cameras around.
Starting with the flaws, you can't read a review of the Mino HD without a complaint about the screen. For a camera that records in 720p, you're given an image displayed so small it's almost silly to think it would be sufficient for a standard definition image. This is the sort of drawback that comes with small size, yet had Flip taken the time to redesign the format of the camera they'd have been able to give us a screen that's far more functional. The vertical stick format works alright for a standard definition image, but a horizontal format makes more sense for an HD image because it is inherently wide. I hope, in future iterations, we see flip consider a new arrangement of the screen and buttons to better adapt to HD resolutions.
Another flaw that may or may not come up for some is charging the battery. With the advent of USB wall chargers and the readily available USB port on your desktop or laptop computer, you'd think this would be very simple. Most machines should have no trouble charging the flip, though some do. In contrast, I've found most USB chargers incapable of charging the Flip. While the Flip seems to think it's being charged, it isn't. I've used third-party wall chargers with no success. Oddly enough, when connecting the Flip directly to Western Digital's HD media center device (the name escapes me, but there's only one at the moment) it not only charged the Flip quickly but was able to playback the clips like the flip was a connected external hard drive. Way to go Western Digital! Nonetheless, the Flip seems pretty fickle when hooked up to a power source. It's sufficient to charge it by computer, but I'd much prefer to just hook it up to a wall charger and not have a little candy bar hanging off the side of my laptop.
While I've always thought the Flip to be the simplest camcorder to use, I consistently find that people I share it with are bewildered by its operation at first. Everyone assumes the USB arm is the power button. People have difficulty pressing the power button. Starting and stopping recording is very simple when you turn it on, but as the other buttons are touch-sensitive it is easy to accidentally swipe them and enter a new mode. While I found navigating the device's features, settings and options to be very intuitive I seem to be alone. While I haven't shared the Flip with many tech-savvy individuals, they've used cameras before and understand their operation. They were a bit confused by the Flip. If the criticisms are left solely to me, however, I'm only bothered by the ease of accidental activation that comes with the touch-sensitive "buttons."
Enough complaining! There are certainly advantages to the Flip. The video quality is quite good for a camera of this size, and the size is a huge benefit. Taking the Flip Mino HD along with you is just as easy as not taking it. You don't really notice you have it, in most cases, because it's so tiny. Despite that you get a nice image. It performs surprisingly well in low light. It's no high end camera for sure, but it's good for the type of camera it is. While HDTV certainly has its flaws, don't even expect an image that nice from the Flip. It is a tiny, cheap camera and it's only capable of producing so much. Still, the image is good for what it is and vastly better than what you get with the original Flip Ultra or Flip Mino (standard definition). The image will suffer from a lack of stabilization, but that's to be expected from a pocket camera. You also have to contend with the "jello effect" that comes with the implementation of the CMOS sensor used in the Flip (and most consumer CMOS devices), but the effect is moderate. Avoid jerky motion and you won't notice.
I was impressed with the sound. It's a bit quiet at times, but turn it up and it still sounds good. I'd heard complaints that the microphone used in the original Flip Mino was poor. I assume they're using something better in the Flip Mino HD. If not, perhaps I'm not as picky as some. I was pleased with the quality of sound from such a tiny device. It must be well-placed as well, as I haven't found footage suffering from noise due to the handling of the device.
Transferring footage to your computer is ridiculously easy, of course, as you just plug it in and copy the files. I believe Flip provides editing software, but I've never bothered with it. It's nice that they do, but I also don't care and so I'm afraid I can't provide much of an opinion in that area.
When connecting the device to your television your met with two issues, one or both of which may be significant. First, the Flip is tiny and so it uses a smaller jack than your standard AV device. It also only connects in standard definition, which is a little silly considering it's an HD camera. If you plan to show your footage directly off the camera, and that's your main intent, you may want to reconsider. For less money, you can get the Kodak Zi6 (or a couple of other comparable HD pocket cameras) that don't have this problem and offer some other features in terms of value adds. While I prefer the Flip over these cameras because of how I use it, I believe that won't be the case for a lot of people.
The Flip is also the most expensive of the pocket HD cameras. I feel like Pure Digital rushed it to market because their competitors--particularly Kodak--got there earlier and started hurting their sales. The fact that the Flip Mino HD is identical to the standard definition Mino is one sign. The lack of obvious features, such as HD output, is another.
Still, the Flip Mino HD is a very good pocket camera choice for grabbing HD clips quickly and easily. The quality you can get from this camera is pretty good. If basic HD is what you're looking for, you really can't go wrong despite the shortcomings of the device. It's tiny. It doesn't get in your way. Using it is (mostly) straightforward and simple. If anything confuses you, it's not hard to figure out.
Lastly, if you'd like to take a look at footage people have taken you should check out this group on Vimeo:
[...]
It's a large collection of Flip Mino HD clips. You can get a pretty good idea of what to expect with this device by browsing there for 10-20 minutes.
Overall: nice image (considering), good sound, ridiculously tiny and convenient, bizarre shortcomings in the small screen and lack of HD output, charging problems, and overpriced for the category. Overall a good buy, but would be a much better one at [...]
More Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 4 GB, 1 Hour (1st Generation) OLD MODEL reviews:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Description of Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 4 GB, 1 Hour (1st Generation) OLD MODEL
Here it is! A 720p HD camcorder that fits in your pocket. The Flip MinoHD has 4GB built-in memory to record and store up to 60 minutes of highj quality video. A 1.5" TFT lets you preview and view videos on camera. A USB connector lets you transfer and share videos. Advanced playback, pause, fast forward/rewind features Records high-quality H.264 videos that work with iTunes, iMovie, and iPhoto Child Safe mode to prevent accidental deletions of clips Fast lens - great low or bright light results, 2x digital zoom 1.5 color high-brightness (transflective) display for easy recording and super-clear viewing in bright sunlight Silent mode for recording in sensitive situations TV connector cable included to watch videos on television Tripod mount fits any standard tripod Video - 16 - 9 widescreen, HD 720p (1280 x 720) at 30 frames per second progressive scan Built-in FlipShare software for email, edit, and more Includes Flip Video MinoHD Camcorder w/ built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery; Protective carrying pouch; Wrist strap; TV cable; Quickstart Guide Internal Memory - 4GB (60 minutes) Screen Resolution - 528 x 132 pixels / Video Resolution - 1280 x 720 progressive Video Bitrate - 8.8Mbps (average - auto adaptive algorithm) Video Format - H.264 video compression, AAC audio compression, saves as MP4 file Lens Type - Fixed Focus (1.5m to infinity) Aperture - f/2.4 (fast lens for great results in low-light environments) Zoom - Smooth multi-step 2x digital 8 Touch-Sensitive Capacitive Buttons (Power, Play, Delete, Record and 4 way navigation) Unit Dimensions - 3.94 x 1.97 x 0.63 (H x W x D) PC Connection - Built-in flip-out USB arm (up to 2.0 USB speed) TV Out - NTSC (cable included) Battery Life - Rechargeable lithium ion battery, charges using built-in USB arm Operating System compatibilikty - Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OSXCamcorders
Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
Bestsellers in Camcorders
Panansonic PV-L671 VHS-C Camcorder with 3.0" LCDPanasonic; Digital Camera
Sharp VLWD255U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5'' Viewscreen, Smart Media Slot and Built-in Digital Still ModeSharp; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Panasonic PV-L751 VHS-C Camcorder with 4" LCD and PhotoShot Built-in Digital Still CameraPanasonic; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
JVC GRDVL805U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still ModeJVC; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
RCA CC6373 VHS-C AutoShot CamcorderRCA; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
JVC GR-DVM50U Digital CybercamJVC; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
RCA PRO854 Hi8 CamcorderRCA; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Sony DCRTRV310 Handycam Digital CamcorderSony; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Hitachi Hi8 Video CamcorderHitachi; Digital Camera
Hitachi 8mm Camcorder with 2 1/ 2" LCDHitachi; Digital Camera
Similar Digital Cameras & Photo Products
Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Brushed Metal, 8 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation)Flip Video; Digital Camera
Best price: $82.95
Price in other shops:
Flip Mino & Flip Mino HD Silicone Protective Cover Skin Case (Black)Case; CE
Best price: $4.84
Skque Black Silicone Skin Case for Flip Mino HDSKQUE; CE
Best price: $4.99
Black Soft Silicone Skin Case for Flip Ultra HD CamcorderCase; Digital Camera
Best price: $2.93
Flip Mino Video Camera - Black, 2 GB,1 Hour (1st Generation) OLD MODELFlip Video; Digital Camera
Best price: $65.00
Price in other shops:
Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Chrome, 4 GB, 1 Hour (1st Generation) OLD MODELFlip Video; Windows; Digital Camera
Best price: $74.95
Price in other shops:
Flip Video Mino Charging Combo w/ 6 Feet USB Extention Cable + USB Car Charger and USB Wall / Travel ChargerGizmoDorks; CE
Best price: $4.70
Flip Video Power AdapterFlip Video; Release date: 2008-09-15; Digital Camera
Best price: $8.25
Price in other shops:
Flip Video TripodFlip Video; Digital Camera
Best price: $3.95
Price in other shops:
Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 4 GB, 1 Hour (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODELFlip Video; Digital Camera
Best price: $87.79
Price in other shops: