Flip UltraHD Video Camera - Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL
by Flip Video
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Flip UltraHD Video Camera - Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation) OLD MODEL
Customer Review: Good things, bad things, but overall fun and easy to use
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I had a really hard time trying to review the new Flip UltraHD camcorder. I bought the "regular" Flip last year and generally loved it, with a few small quibbles. The UltraHD sort of resolves these quibbles, but there are things I still don't like.
The record button on my old one was too small and a bit hard to press. This isn't an issue on the UltraHD. It's bigger and easier to use. Also, the view screen is bigger, which is nice.
The other issue I had with my old one was the picture quality in low light--sadly, that still seems to be an issue. This is especially disappointing considering it's supposed to be "HD" quality. Overall, I don't see much difference in quality between the two. I haven't yet used the new one in bright natural light, but it does fine outside or in bright indoor settings.
One new issue is that the usb arm doesn't click into place when open. This means it flops around when it's plugged into your computer. For some people this might not be a big deal, but my cat seems to think it's a new toy. I have doubts as to how long the arm will hold up.
So what's the bottom line? I love how easy it is to use and its portability. I can toss it in my purse and take it everywhere. The software is easy to use even if you're not very tech savvy. The picture quality is good, but not outstanding. I love the fact that while it comes with rechargable batteries (it recharges through the USB port), you can also use regular AA batteries in it--that's a nice feature I'd like to see more products have. It does take a while to completely charge, so having the option of using regular batteries when I can't wait is great.
I like the fact you can turn of the sound settings--not more little chirp when it comes on. Good idea if you're trying to film sleeping cats. :-) Two hours recording time is ample for my needs. While you can't use it as a still camera, you can capture pretty good still shots via the editing software. The only real downside is the price--it seems a smidge high for the casual user given the quality (e.g. the floppy USB arm) and the not-truly-HD quality.
Customer Review: Completely Disappointed
Summary: 1 Stars
After owning my Flip since April, here is what I think.
1) The battery pack will not charge, no matter what I do. I have tried everything that the Flip support website suggests, and their customer service rep suggested, and it will not charge. I have tried plugging it into the wall, into computers, into cords that are hooked to computers - it will not work. This is definitely a battery pack issue, because my camera works FINE when I have regular AA batteries in it.
2) The FlipShare software worked fine when I first received my camera, but once it updated to the new version (which was NOT optional, but automatic), it stopped working. I have tried to uninstall the update, to go back to the original version, but it will not let me (it always updates again). I cannot even open the software on my computer. I looked around online to see if I could find a solution to the problem, and many people on message boards and blogs have talked about how the new version of FlipShare is set up for computers that have a quad-core Intel processor, whereas most computers only have dual-core processors (including both of mine).
I have found countless people all over message boards and blogs who are having the same two problems, and I feel like they are interconnected. It is unacceptable that I could spend a good amount of money on a product, and then have it work for only a few weeks before it stops.
I bought my Flip to use for school. It is a required purchase for my major, which is American Sign Language Interpreting. We are required also to submit our video taped assignments using FlipShare, which now doesn't work. I have to use my camera for hours every week, which is why I bought one with a rechargeable battery pack.
Flip's customer service has been confusing and incapable of helping in either of these situations. They have e-mailed me recommending that I do what their support website does (take out the pack, recharge in a certain way), which I have already tried countless times. They have e-mailed me literally three times asking me for basic information (serial number, etc.), which was contained in the e-mail they were replaying to. They have completely ignored the software issue, which is apparently widespread.
I seriously enjoyed the ease of use for this camera when I first bought it, but now realize that it wasn't worth it.
Customer Review: Some Technical Problems but a Great Little Cam Non the Less
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, I really like this camcorder. My wife and I had been wanting one for a while but never could get past the 'there's only an hours worth of recording to be had'. Since this came out I figured two hours was more justifiable. As such, it was a birthday present from my wife.
These were originally made for YouTube uploaders, you know, for skater kids to humiliate themselves with entertaining videos of their trick-failure pain and agony.
On the good side, this thing is tiny compared to regular camcorders, easily fitting into one's pocket. The device goes from off to ready to record in a little over a second, has an internal flash drive holding 120 minutes and looks good to boot. Everything you need it has on it including rechargable batteries(An improvement over the Mino since you can put in new ones if the ones you have run out), internal programs that run on the PC to sort and upload the videos and a handy flip up USB2.0 arm for conecting to the PC which also charges the batteries. The camera also records in 720p and, lets face it, standard definition televisions have already been all but fazed out, so buying a standard def camcorder isn't that future proof. The device also has a Mini HDMI out for connecting directly to a high def TV.
Now the bad news. It only records in 720p, that's no problem except that if you have a 'very' large TV, say over 46in, it will make a difference that this is not in full 1080p, this wouldn't be an issue except for the fact that there are cheaper Flip-like camcorders that record in this higher def. The Flip also looks grainy in darker areas but for the price of the device one shouldn't expect miricles. Also, and the biggest problem, the device has an internal flash drive. Yes I know I put that as a good point but hear me out. Once you've recorded your two hours worth the device is worthless since it can't swap out memory cards and all videos are stored on the one drive so you can't swap out for different events either. Finishing, the features are incredibly sparse, only a zoom, but you can fix this in post on your PC through other programs.
All in all, a good product well worth the price but if you need better features in higher def at the expence of quality, or if you need more than two hours worth of coverage, there are cheaper products out there.
Customer Review: Completely Impressed
Summary: 5 Stars
All I have to say about the Flip Ultra HD 120 is that I am completely impressed. I had no idea what these new cameras were all about until about 3 weeks ago and after I saw the ease of use and quality of picture I had to get one. I received mine from Amazon and was able to have it out of the box and in use within 5 minutes. The picture quality is stunning and the sound is much better than anticipated. Within 10 minutes of use, I was able to record my 15 week old daughter in a 1 min clip and then upload it to my computer and send it to the grandparents in an email as well as post the clip to facebook. The quality of the picture was solid even though the lighting was not terrific inside our home. The outdoor footage that I have seen on this camera is simply stunning and I can't wait to use this on future vacations.
The size of the camera is not much bigger than a cell phone and it takes less than 10 seconds to whip it out of a pocket turn it on and start recording. A few things to note and be aware of before you purchase. Since the quality is so good, expect the files to be very large. A 1 min file ended up being around 75 MB of memory uploaded onto our computer. If you do not have much empty disk space on your computer then you may need to think about getting an external hard drive to primarily store video files. The second thing to know is that the way this records digital files is different from a conventional video camera. Older cameras mesh all the files on after another and end up essentially recording the files one after another so that when you play it back there is not much transition time from a shot taken 3 weeks ago to a shot today. The Flip camera stores every recording as separate file. If you hit record for 30 seconds and then hit off, then do the same thing, you will watch two separate files once uploaded to your computer. The only reason I mention this is because that may be something that someone hasn't experienced when using new digital video.
I am absolutely in love with the piece of technology and the price on these really can't be beat. If there was one thing to add on this camera would be the ability to zoom however, I realize that you can't have everything in a pint sized HD camera that is priced so well. This really is an incredible by and easy to use from the start.
Customer Review: A Mom review - Pretty cool and super easy to use.
Summary: 4 Stars
I literally bought this on the fly 2 hrs before my daughters' kindg. graduation when I realized that our video camera (mini dvd) wasnt responding. I ran into a major bix box and literally spent about 1 minute deciding. So 6 mos later here's my review:
What's great it that it's super easy to use! I was opening up the box IN the car on the way to the elem. school and the batteries were already charged and included. I popped them in, turned it on and played with it all the way down the road - the graduation was saved! I was amazed at how I was walking out of the store and 5 min later taking video. The major plus for me is that it takes 2 double "a" batts - I recommend the rechargable ones. That is smart thinking and so much better than the hoops I had to jump through with my previous video thing.
Unbelievably easy to edit at home. You pop the sucker into your usb port and its all right there. No longer do I have to have clips of boring scenes, it helps you (very easily) make a "mash up" of all clips you choose to make a movie (it even lets you add background music, credits, etc!) All friends and relatives were in love with the mini movies that gave them highlights of the graduation - not the entire hour of mind numbing kindger. songs and talking.
So I love love the ease of use, the quality, the sharp clear picture, the ease of sharing the video with others.
My last gush - no cords! NONE! Zero! My little old mini dvd had cords for everything - g_d forbid you lost one - then you had to shell out big bucks to replace and marry everything together. The days of the "camera" bag are over...just make sure you have an extra set of charged double a's with you (that can charge in the car?) and you're good to go.
The only issue I really have is with image stabilization (bounce) you'd think that something this little and cool, that it would be a given that it has it on it. NOPE. You have to hold your hand very still....I mean this thing practically scrambles your eggs for you and they didn't think to add stabilization?
Other than that annoyance - this is one cool product. No longer do I have a collection of 100 mini dvd's to deal with - this is direct to the computer and thats what I love about it.