Flip Ultra Series Camcorder, 60-Minutes (Black) OLD MODEL
by Flip Video
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List Price: Our Price: $79.99 You Save: $70.00 (47%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $53.88 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Flip Ultra Series Camcorder, 60-Minutes (Black) OLD MODEL
Customer Review: Not only cheap and effective but a movie camera you'll actually use.
Summary: 5 Stars
Ignore the complaints. This thing gets the job done--quickly, efficiently, dependably, well. You'll appreciate it more if you've previously owned a more elaborate and expensive video camera. I didn't want to fool with the Panasonic camcorder and decided to leave the Canon Elph in my pocket and to use this equally compact but simpler, more fool-proof camera for my son's wedding. (I'm a hero--and no one even realized I was shooting a movie of either the ceremony or reception.) Despite some users' complaints, the audio is terrific when plugged into a TV (it's the mic that counts, not the onboard monitor speaker).
If you wish to save a few bucks, look to cosmetics, generation and memory. Right now the Flip white is killing black. Also, the quality of the earlier model is generally as impressive as the Ultra. Finally, 30 minutes is plenty unless you shoot with no regard to composition and don't have a computer to download to. For editing purposes, the Flip is more PC than Mac friendly. Still it installed and functioned on my Macbook with minimal hassle (surprising, given the complaints by Apple users). All the same, I don't have time to edit movies--60 minutes to shoot the movie, and 60 to watch it immediately on a TV screen (a raw to finished footage ratio of 1:1). Follow Alfred Hitchcock and edit "in the camera."
It's a light camera, very sensitive to shaking. So hold it steady and keep clips relatively short in duration. Zoom before the shot (to compose it), not during it. (This will also reduce the problem of hitting the off switch, which is positioned right next to the zoom button.) Also, before you get overly "intuitive," the button on the right doesn't advance the scene: it deletes it. And trust the camera to capture a viewable image even in near-darkness. The manufacturers do all the work for you, no directions needed. Only minor complaints, aside from the crowded zoom switch and overly accessible delete button: the viewer screen washes out completely in bright daylight and there is no viewfinder, so do your best to line up the lens with your sightline. Otherwise, the only challenge is getting the camera out of the sealed plastic casing.
Finally, saving single shots is a piece of cake, even on a Mac--either in lo rez e-mailing format or as hi-rez framable jpegs. Next question: is the manufacturer of this gadget publicly traded on any exchange? Aside from kids, there's got to be a potentially big market out there among videocam owners who have finally figured out they never use their expensive machines.
Customer Review: Verdict is still out on this camcorder...
Summary: 3 Stars
I was very excited about this camcorder from the reviews and the look of the camcorder itself. I have the orange/white one and think it looks so cool and cute. I only just received this at Christmas, so I haven't explored it that much yet, but so far, I have noticed the following:
-The video looks good when you play the tiny thumbnail version through the flip software itself. However, when you save it to my documents and it plays larger in windows media player, the picture loses a lot of quality. It appears grainy and fuzzy.
-When I videotape and use the zoom, the zoomed in sections of my video look fuzzy. The non-zoomed in parts do not look as fuzzy.
-Something is very strange about the software for Flip. When I open it and save my videos, or edit etc., and finish, it won't allow me to close the screen. I try to "x" out, and it won't let me, and I can't find any button that says "exit." So I am stuck there until I "control/alt/delete" out of it which is annoying and should be unnecessary.
-At the moment, the quality is not as good as the video section of my digital camera that is 4 years old! So I am disappointed in that. But I'm hoping that I'm just missing something and will figure out how to get better quality.
-I have not transferred anything to dvd or tv yet, so I'm hoping that it'll look better there.
-The zoom is not much at all. It says it only has a 2x zoom, and just be aware of how small that really is. A lot of other camcorders might have a 32x zoom or so. So this doesn't do very much (and like I said, looks blurry when you use it anyway).
-It is very convenient to have a tiny camcorder that you can bring with you anywhere you go.
-The sound quality seems normal.
So overall, I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. I'm really hoping I'll figure out how to make it worth it. I plan to try to find an email for customer service so I can resolve some of these issues.
***UPDATE: The flip people did email me back about my issues, but unfortunately, they could not help. I also tried to edit the videos in sony vegas, and they only had sound, no visuals in that program. I, again, asked flip, and while they did respond, they were not able to help. Again, it's a GREAT camera for quick shots. My husband and I have used it a lot while looking at houses to purchase, videotaping the ones we see, and it's been very helpful.
Customer Review: Love This Camcorder!
Summary: 5 Stars
This gadget is so handy.. it is compact, easy to operate, looks good, comes with everything you need to operate it, and takes very high quality videos relative to its price. I recently recorded a piano recital and both the sound and video were surprisingly good. Piano is not an easy instrument to record, but the Flip did a great job.
I did have a problem loading the software, in particular the 3ivx codec that it uses. When attempting to install the software I received an "installation failed" message on Windows XP. I tried installing the 3ivx codec separately but literally one second after agreeing to the terms and conditions and then pressing the "install" button, I received an "aborted" message. I subsequently learned the problem was I had K-Lite codecs on my computer, of which one was 3ivx that was not an authorized version (I had no idea it wasn't legit!) so once I uninstalled the K-Lite package, the Flip software installed without a hitch. In case any of you reading this have a problem installing the software and/or codec, it may be that you have a rogue version of 3ivx lurking on your computer already so try uninstalling it. Note that the creators of 3ivx charge you $14.95 to download this codec so at least it comes free with the camcorder.
To Flip's credit, their support is excellent. Phone support is 24/7 and they actually answer the phone within a minute or two! And the support person I spoke with spoke fluent English! I also had to e-mail their support team and received a response after a few hours, also written in proper English and tailored to my problem (as opposed to some generic answer that didn't answer anything). So I give thumbs up to Flip's support.
Their web site, like their camcorder, is very simple, practical and easy to navigate. The only thing I am not crazy about with this camera is the usb connection, which can be awkward depending on the location of your usb port. You'll have to get an extender cord if that is the case.
But for the price, the Flip Ultra Video is an excellent product - quality and convenience-wise.
One other thing: I notice Amazon keeps shifting the prices around among the various colors so if there is a particular color you want and it is priced higher than the others, just wait a day or two and see if it comes down. They like to play games with us.
Customer Review: Not Very Good. Too many bugs!
Summary: 2 Stars
I purchased this camera because I was looking for something that was simple to use, with acceptable quality. This camera falls short, even at the price. After all, you can get a "real" video camera with LOTS of features for about $80 more.
Problem 1: The software that came with it was not compatible with either my Windows XP or Vista computers. In fact, the only thing that the "software" did was convert the video file to .avi format. Even this was the result of guesswork and not because the instructions or software were helpful. You HAVE to run the software, which then does not function, but, it converts your file while it is in the process of "concluding" that it will not work.
BIG PROBLEM 2: In quiet settings, such as a room, the camera records its own internal storage sounds. Every few seconds you hear a strange and VERY noticeable beeping that lasts for about a second. This means that you are NOT going to be able to use this camera to make a decent video (unless there is enough ambient sound to drown out the odd little processor sound that is most likely a burst of data being recorded on the internal memory). So, you can't use it for work, or to make instructional videos, or to make any other videos where sound quality is even remotely a factor.
Problem 3: There is a very REAL problem with the big red record button. It does not register properly when you push it. You can think you are recording because you are certain that you pushed it firmly, but, there the camera sits in "READY" mode, not in "REC" mode. The FLIP people have known about this switch problem for a LONG TIME, for it to still be a problem is inexcusable.
My summary is that the camera is virtually useless. It does not automatically load videos on to YouTube, or any other website. The software is an artifact that does not work on the computer. Second,, the intolerable electronic noise that renders this video useless except as a toy. And, lastly, the ridiculously unresponsive RED BUTTON that controls the record and stop function.
On the plus side, it is small, will store a bit of footage, and you can let your kids play with it because it's not like they'll ruin something valuable.
Customer Review: Awesome, fun, productive - you'll be a star and hero by making videos!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a simple and brilliant video tool, small and light, runs on two AA batteries (get a set of 4 rechargeables), easy to keep in your pocket at all times. Its very few buttons make operation straight-forward, but fully functional, it records in low light or any light, picks up sound pretty well, downloads easily (go online and download the free and fully functional "MPEG Streamclip" software for Mac OSX). Make little films, download, translate, share and have fun.
This gadget is looks unimposing, but does a great job. I first took it to a gallery photo show opening where Joan Baez turned up. Some jerk photographer wanted to have his picture taken with her and she instantly made him go away, but when she hugged the artist of the hour, there was my little Flip to record the two of them and this little thing was so humble and unimposing that I wasn't a nuisance, got to record a great moment and it was wonderful. Since then, I have recorded one teenager at an Afro-Haitian dance concert and the next night recorded another teenager when he was in competition in a county-wide "Battle of the Bands". They made it to the finals, and with the judge's comments mentioning something about needing to work on their 'stage presence', he snatched up these videos to study their performance - point being - quick, easy, pocket-sized, always available, pretty good quality video in a handy package. I carry mine with me always. Using the software, I have even used the forementioned software to save single image frames and email those as photographs in my business.
I read about the Flip in the New York Times. David Pogue is a brilliant tech guy, and he was writing about how he had completely overlooked the Flip for some time because it was so simple and unassuming. As soon as I had a few spare dollars, I grabbed one of the refurbished Ultras and here I am telling you how much fun it is to use. Don't hesitate. It records for an hour. With rechargeable batteries, there is no cost, nor environmental spoilage. Get people use to being around it and then record wonderful, fun and tender moments. This camera is so small that it remains unassuming. Keep the lens clean and be creative !!!!!