Flip Ultra Video Camera - White, 4 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL
by Flip Video
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List Price: Our Price: $134.99 You Save: $14.01 (9%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $50.95 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Flip Ultra Video Camera - White, 4 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL
Customer Review: Perfect Gift for Tweens, Teens or the PC Savy user
Summary: 5 Stars
This camera was an impulse purchase for me after viewing video review (#1) for it. I was looking for something I could carry in my purse to all the school functions; band concerts, etc..., and then quickly use to upload to Facebook the video. This item fits the bill perfectly!
I love these things about it:
+Great looking video, even though the resolution is only 640x480 at 30 frames per second. It's done in H264 video and AAC stereo audio in MP4 file format with this camera. NOTE: This is NOT the HD camera. If you want HD, buy this one: Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (White).
+Audio is great too. Microphones picks up well and replay doesn't sound distorted at all.
+Works with a MAC or PC!
+Takes AA batteries - easily picked up wherever you go.
+2 hours of recording time is ample for most of my needs.
+Software seems easy to use for uploading to websites, emailing and saving to files.
+Has a zoom feature!
+Lightweight and compact.
Things that could be better:
-USB connection option for desktops; not really supported as the connector flips out and there's nothing to support the body of the camera. This problem can be fixed via a USB 'A' cord (not supplied but mentioned in the directions for use): USB 2.0 Extension Cable Type A Male to Type A Female 6 ft, Black.
-Battery life. Might need to invest in rechargable batteries or the lithium battery pack: Flip Video Battery Pack for 2nd Generation Ultra & UltraHD.
-Plastic cover for batteries feels a bit flimsy and has small plastic tabs that allow it to lock into the body of the camera. I'll have to be careful when changing batteries!
-Wish it came with a clamshell style hard case instead of a pouch to protect it. That would add to its bulk and weight though, and for some, be a negative.
Uses:
+Uploading video to websites.
+Emailing video.
+Making home movies to burn to DVD.
+Archiving family gatherings to digital video.
This highly portable video camera is a great find. While part of me wishes I'd spent the extra cash on the HD model, right now I am pleased with the price I paid, the features of the camera and the ease of set-up and use.
I highly recommend the Flip Ultra 2nd generation to anyone who is PC savy and likes to upload video. Kids ages 9 to 49 will love it!
**Check out the photos of the Flip I uploaded to Amazon, and the notes on each.
Customer Review: Camera works great, but the lens is EXTREMELY delicate!
Summary: 2 Stars
I decided to post on here to help both current owners and future owners of this camera and other Flip cams.
Firstly, let me say that this camera is VERY easy to use and I haven't had any problems mechanically with it at all. The problem arose when the camera fell (literally four inches - with the fall broken by my foot) and the lens cover (the glass or crystal - whatever it is) broke. It was just a small crack in the very bottom so I thought it was ok. It didn't effect the lens view at all. Well, that changed when I had it in the case it comes with (which really isn't a case at all) in my purse and somehow something caused the lens crack to move across the entire cover. Mind you, I had the camera for a week before the first fall. The Flip company won't help you. They tell you that even though you have warranty coverage, it won't cover an accident on your part and that they cannot fix it or send you any parts or help to do so. They said it was cheaper to get a new camera than to have them try to fix the lens.
Well, I couldn't believe that it cost more to fix the glass covering of the lens than the $120+ camera. I did a little research online and found that this is a VERY common problem. Many people didn't even drop the camera and just found it broken when they took it out of the case (btw, Flip still won't fix that issue for you).
My first attempt, after I read online that a few people had success going to a jewelry store (it was essentially like a watch repair and cost anywhere from $5-$15), I took it to 5 jewelry stores in my area and even a watch repair shop to replace the lens cover and NO ONE would even touch it. They all said it couldn't be done and didn't know how it could be (after I told them that I read online that it could be). One even said that I could take it apart myself, then bring it to them and they could look at it and see if they could fix it - for $40!!!
So, I searched "how to fix a flip cam lens" and "flip cam lens broke" and found a really helpful forum someone started with pictures (I tried to include the link but Amazon took it out of my review - sorry) and took it apart by myself using an Exacto knife. It was so simple. It literally took me 2 minutes. I then found a watch repair website and ordered the crystal to replace it myself. The measurements are 1mm thick and about 20mm diameter. The lens itself cost .88 cents - hardly the price of a new Flip camera as the Flip company suggested!
If you attempt this, good luck! It's really simple. The hardest part is taking the outer cover off of the broken camera without bending it - other than that though, it is extremely easy! I really hope this helps someone! :)
Customer Review: Idiot proof
Summary: 3 Stars
I have access to a Flip as part of my job. I've tried using it for a week and here's what I've taken away from the experience. Its about easier to use than a digital still camera. Push the power button, then hit the red button when you're ready to record. The menues are minimal- it only sets the date and time and whether or not the record light goes on and whether the camera will beep. I can easily hand this off to anyone (under 30 years old) and they'd be taking video with ease. This is especially nice if you want to let the kids have a try.
Uploading video is a breeze, I don't even bother with the included software, just connect the device and navigate to the "DCIM" folder on it and pull the movies off from there. Simple. I don't like the "flip out" USB connection since its a rigid piece that will not easily "sit" next to your computer... you may end up bending it in at an odd angle which can not only damage the Flip's USB, but your computer's USB port as well. Why this is considered a signature of the device is rather troubling since its the poorest design element of the whole thing. Nevermind if you have vertical USB ports (or ports on the back of your iMac!). In short, get a USB extension cable (not included in the package).
My main complaints come from the technical side. While it may be "idiot" proof, there's no room to grow with technical know-how. No way to tweak the image quality in-camera. And the lens is what really kills me. Its a fixed focus lens, which means that from about arms length out it does ok, but any closeup work and the picture looks very cheap. I have a digital camera that captures better quality images, and looks better when you zoom in (the zoom on the Flip is pretty weak).
The flip is little more than a toy camera. It takes OK video, has a good amount of on-board storage (which you cannot expand or swap out) and takes good SD quality video in decent light. The sound is ok, but since its mounted right there in the camera you don't have any option about what it hears. If you need a bare bones camera that just about anyone with three fingers can use, this is it. If you have any real desire to capture quality sound and video and you have a realistic budget you should look elsewhere.
Customer Review: PLEASE DONT BUY THIS FLIP CAMERA!!!!!!!!!
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought the Flip Ultra before our Disney Vacation the end of December 09. I took it and my heavy duty vhs-c camcorder. I ended up just using the FLIP camera the entire trip bc I didnt want to haul around the big ole camcorder. Flip Ultra was awesome. Easy to use, fit in my fanny pack, I filmed our entire vacation on the flip (which had 120 min of record time). When I got home my troubles began. I loaded the FLIP with the easy usb connection onto my VISTA computer. I downloaded the video to my computer. But to my surprise...I could NOT transfer any of my vaction memories with the MP4 video from my computer to a dvd to keep. The MP4 video format has to be converted into a video format my computer & dvd can read. Then the FLIP software CRASHED my computer! It took an entire day for the VISTA computer to repair itself, and thank God I didnt lose anything on my computer. It took off the FLIP software, then I went into add/remove programs and made sure I uninstalled the FLIP software. So now I go to Office Depot and buy Roxio Software which claims it converts MP4 video to another format. Well I havent been able to figure this out either. So now Im totally STUCK with my precious family DisneyWorld Memories in this FLIP camera with no way to get it onto a dvd. Plus it crashed my computer and I cry every day bc I bought this horrible piece of junk. DO NOT BUY THE FLIP ULTRA or any flip camera. If I can spare ONE person from this misery then I think Ive done a good thing. Spare yourself the grief. And take your big ole vhs-c camcorders to use for your precious family memories. At least that can be converted.Customer Review: Great gadget for kids, college students & adults!
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought 2 of these as xmas gifts. One for my 11-yr-old niece & the other for my 21-yr old daughter in college. They both love it - it was their favorite gift. Extremely easy to use, just turn it on & press the red button. The niece uses it for fun at home & school as well as having her father film her hockey games. She has learned how to upload and save files using it. It doesn't get a real close up of her on the ice but it's not bad and it handles the fast motion of skaters very well. The sound is decent too.
My 21-yr-old daughter is in a dance group at college and films her dance routines with it and then effortlessly uploads them to youtube and the school's website. Often she just asks random folks in the audience to take the video it's that easy (very easy to hold). The nice thing about it is that you can also get a still photograph from it by pausing the video and taking a snapshot of a frame (it doesn't actually take still photos). I'm not sure if you can save that as a file or not but she's given me photos on paper of my cat, her dance group, etc!
I was worried about getting the model that uses AA batteries vs the rechargeable kind but have been happy with my decision. It was cheaper & I liked that you could get AA batteries anywhere if need be. We have been happy with the battery life. It's durable & portable. I've used it myself filming my attic (pre & post insulation - exciting stuff) in very low light conditions and was quite impressed. Amazon had the best price at the time compared to big box club warehouses (may have been a gold box deal).