Flip Ultra Video Camera - White, 1 GB, 30 Minutes (1st Generation) OLD MODEL
by Flip Video
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List Price: Our Price: $124.99 You Save: $25.00 (17%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $35.00 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Flip Ultra Video Camera - White, 1 GB, 30 Minutes (1st Generation) OLD MODEL
Customer Review: Keeping it simple
Summary: 4 Stars
This made a great gift for our daughter-in-law who has three children under the age of 5. As you can imagine, her primary need in a video camera was to keep it simple. She needed something she could grab on the fly and not have to look for parts or cables, let alone find a mini-tape or a DVD that is not recorded on. The other important part was that it would provide the quality videos that we all want our family recordings to be.
I have now watched her use this camera at several family events - including a recent pre-school graduation event. One of the things that is interesting watching her use the camera is to see how lightweight it is, both in allowing her to hold it up above everyone's heads and how long she can hold it there. It is also interesting that she could review what was actually being recoded clearly and easily. These qualities make this video camera series infinitely preferable to our much older and clunkier Sony DCR-HC52 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder & 40x Optical Zoom Carl Zeiss Lens. I have been reluctant to give up the Carl Zeiss lens and have been looking for a second camera that may not be of equal quality but is much easier to use for those times when I need a video camera in a hurry. It's hard to match the picture quality of any Carl Zeiss lens but I need something faster and easier.
There are also a lot fewer buttons on this video camera which makes it much more user friendly. My family members are notorious button pushers who press buttons that look right rather than check the manual to find out how to do things.
This Flip camera has been a great addition to our family's taping needs.
Customer Review: Take everywhere with you
Summary: 4 Stars
BOTTOM LINE:
1- Came with 2 AA duracells.
2- You turn it on with the push of a recessed button on the right side of the unit. The button is cool because it does'nt stick out at all so you do not have to worry about the FLIP turning on while its in your pocket.
3- Captures 30 minutes of full-VGA-quality video on 1GB of built-in memory. For some people VGA quality is more useful than HG. Reason-being is that HG quality video will not play smoothly on older computers. And VGA videos use less space so it will be faster to download them into emails, youtube, and such.
4- Very lightweight.
5- The flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your PC or Mac. There you upload all your videos and empty the FLIP so you can go back out there and take more videos. Oh, and you can also take sills from video with the included software.
6- A very nice 2" color LCD screen. This is a very sharp anti-glare screen. I was suprised by the clarity of it.
7- There is a connector cable included so you can watch the videos on your TV. But I wont be using that alot as all my videos go into my hard drive after I shoot and review them right on the FLIP itself.
8- Push up or down on control pad for volume recording control. Playback audio is superb as well. Great sound from the built-in speaker. Am not kidding.
9- Video capability is also pretty good in low light.
All this in a sturdy non-slip textured body.
It's the size of a compact camera but not half as delicate. So you can take it along everywhere you go, cause you never know when you might need it. I carry it daily, ie: wallet, keys, cellphone, FLIP.
Customer Review: What a great invention!
Summary: 5 Stars
I absolutely love this handy, too easy-to-use video camera. This little gem is a reprieve in a busy complex day. You can read my blog post about it at http://publishingpeople.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/a-flip-video-love-stor/.
It does lack a flash, although in most cases you'll find it is not needed. The flip adjusts well to lower light conditions. It also lacks an external charging system. If you've ever forgot to plug a camera battery in to charge, though, you know this, too, is not necessarily a negative. Either stock up on AA's or buy 4 rechargeables. You'll always be prepared (just remember to put them in your camera bag!)
This particular model offers 30 minutes of memory and no slot for a flash card. For the average movie taker on the move, 30 minutes will suffice. It's also the perfect solution for bringing out the you-tube producer in yourself.
The fact that the USB plugs directly into the computer is a definite plus. I always have so many computer and phone accessories to pack around. The self contained Flip is a delight. I did find the download with the Flip software to be very slow. I'm not sure if it's just the way it is or a Mac thing. I stopped trying to use the software but may research it later as it was very user friendly once the video was downloaded.
This is a great camcorder which will encourage more spontaneity and fun! You won't be disappointed.
Customer Review: Very Good For $50
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very good deal for the $50 price that I paid for it.
Pros:
1) Surprisingly good on batteries. I expected it to eat through batteries but a set of alkaline batteries lasted for a couple of hours.
2) Small and light weight. My last video recorder was a vhs-c unit that got heavy after awhile. This unit fits easily into a pocket. It also comes with a wrist strap.
3) Fairly simple to use.
Cons:
1) Video Quality is fair. Not great.
2) Buttons are slow to respond. Sometimes I wonder if I pushed the button hard enough and then it will finally respond.
3) Somewhat awkward holding position. This is really a nit.
4) Memory not removable. This can be a real shortfall if you want to record an afternoon full of activity without bringing your laptop along.
Notes:
1) I haven't had any of the download problems that others have talked about. I must have a unit with updated firmware.
2) The flip out USB connector is nice but I would be careful with stress. I don't think that the connector will hold the unit up. I use a USB extension cable with my desktop computer.
Customer Review: Decent quality, excellent portability and a low price!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first got the flip my expectations were pretty low - useful for situations where I don't have room for the 'real' camcorder.
That was about 4 months ago and since then the 'real' camcorder has been languishing in its case whereas the flip goes everywhere with us. I love that you can just slip it in your purse (it is a little larger than a deck of cards) pull it out when there is a memorable moment and record it at once! Downloading the video is as easy as pie! the software pops up when you flip open the usb thingie (tech ignorant here) and plug it into your computer. It allows you to edit, merge clips, add titles, etc and is definitely good enough for me. I don't make fancy super edited and workshopped videos of our family so this is perfect. I plug it in, email the video out and the entire family gets to see it.
The only drawback I can see is that the flip out usb seems to be a little flimsy. I have a laptop with horizontal usb ports and I always place the Flip on a book and then plug it in so that the weight of the camera is not hanging on the usb itself. My guess is that it is built to take it but I don't really want to take a chance.