Customer Reviews

Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Flip UltraHD Camcorder is an extraordinary product. Small and light (the size of a cell phone), easy to use (a 6-year old can handle it), uses 2 rechargeable AA batteries (included) or ordinary AAs (no more missed recording because of a low battery), enough memory for 120 minutes HD recording, produces good movies from which you can extract great pictures, excellent in low light, good sound, can be used with a tripod, easy to upload to your computer (PC and Mac) through its USB connection. And it is probably the least expensive HD camcorder on the market. Some reviews noted that its only negative point was the lack of a good stabilization software, but we were surprised at how well it did in a moving car over a bad road. We take it wherever we go!

A great holiday/vacation/travel/everyday companion, this HD camcorder (720p only) is easy enough for my nine-year old to use. However, the installed software (FlipShare) refuses to launch on my MacBook running OS X 10.5.8, and several weeks of emailing Flip tech support back and forth have yielded no real solution as yet. Thankfully, iMovie 09 can import the recorded videos, or I just copy the video files when the Flip is plugged in. Flip tech support asked me to erase the software on the camcorder and download a setup file from the web to reinstall, but the file was for a Windows PC, and it was infected with a Trojan! This is enough to discourage me from using the Flip with a Windows PC instead of a Mac, so I'd give the device itself five stars, but the bundled software gets one star, hence the averaged three-star rating.

I purchased this product and the first time I went to charge it I got a Warning Hot Error on the screen charging paused. After trying to contact support they offered me a RMA but I needed to pay the shipping to send it back. I next looked online and I am seeing multiple people getting this error after from July to now so it appears there may be something wrong with the newest units so proceed with caution, I think Flip better get their act together and recall the product or pay to have the units replaced not make the customer send it to them.

I returned it instead to Amazon yesterday as I was in my 30 days so at least one company would get a great review from me, Amazon. As for FLIP buy a Sony.

Well I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the video from this camera. But lets start at the beginning. (1)I read the reviews on Amazon before buying the camera. That was probably the main reason I bought it. (2) Camera arrived this morning and it came well packaged. (3) Setup the Camera and installed the FlipShare. Its okay software but a bit limiting...so I also installed Movie Maker from Microsoft (For windows 7, I needed to download and install).

After setting up the software, I ran out and created about 10 short 10-20 second clips at a clients store and showed off some merchandise. Camera was easy to use.
I returned home and assembled my first movie. Had it uploaded to YouTube (as a private movie). The quality was mediocre until I realized that it took You Tube a bit to process. Give it an hour and the quality looks good.

Overall I am very pleased. Excellent value and something ANYONE can run. And I saved 13% shopping at Amazon and got free SuperSaver shipping. Yes!!

Some extra advice...

1) Be sure and watch video's on using FlipShare on YouTube. They can save you lots of time.

2) Understand that you are not buying a $2000 camcorder. I hear some people complain about the zoom but for what it does, its awesome.

3) HD is definitely the way to go...a must.

4) Learn to export the movie and modify in an outside program.

I would highly recommend this product. WIthin 1 hr, I had my first movie that I sent to my client and we embedded on their webpage. Very nice. The clients were very pleased and the cool factor was there. And it didn't take days to edit and produce.

My main reason to buy this ( after reading the reviews ) was for Video Blogging. I also plan to offer friends downloadable movies on how to market their businesses online.

Talk soon!

Gordon

I didn't set out to get the Flip HD on it's Canadian release date. I'd had it recommended by others from out of the country and just happened into it. I'm very impressed with the tool for the price. It's easy to use, great video quality and surprisingly good audio. The included software is simple too. A couple small disappointments: would like an option for lower resolution to make uploading to youtube faster, also an external microphone jack would be nice for some settings.
Overall, I'm satisfied. And I think just having the Flip has made me 7% cooler

I am very pleased with the Flip Ultra HD camcorder. What a difference from the previous version! Excellent quality videos!

I have had the first version of Flip for two years. This latest model is amazing in its improvements. Two hours is way too much time needed, as I found I used up one hour over several months, but more is sometimes better. The big improvement I found was the image stabilization. You can literally run with this camera and there is little if any `bounce'. There is barely even a blur - I have no idea how they did this, but it is cool. Not to mention that this version shoots 60fps (frames per second)!

Unlike the earlier versions, the RED record button is large and easily handled. The older versions were tough to operate. With literally only (7) buttons to use, you could practically use this in the dark. (I will note that there is little improvement in the zoom functions). The 8 GB of built-in memory does away with any SD cards that can be lost or damaged. The removable lithium battery pack lasts linger that the AA batteries and for backup, there is room for (3) AAA batteries (Caution - lithium only).

The Flip attachment for your computer's USB port is a little easier to handle and I'm no longer concerned about it breaking off accidentally. The software is fantastic and so easy to use. You can drag/drop/edit, email directly, send to Facebook, YouTube or Twitter, create a movie and pull a snapshot from it and more. It also has a left-sided dialogue box that lists shortcuts to your favorites, lists ALL your videos on your computer, lists all videos Sent or Received and of course, a link to the Flip store for more accessories.

I read on this Amazon site that in the near future, there will be an HDMI cable so you can watch your videos on your flat screen TV and at the HD 720p (1280 X 720) or 60 frames per second, the quality is great. I've burned a disc and watched it already.

It's so nice to have an all inclusive camera without flimsy access doors, tough to use buttons and experimental features. Flip keeps getting better and better. In fact, I used my Flip to record a video review for the Panasonic TA-1 Ultrathin HD Pocket Camcorder Enabled with Skype and iFrame (Dark Grey). I liked the Flip better!

Length:: 0:59 Mins

Update: (July 2010) This footage was shot during the 4 of July/ Independence Day celebration here in the US. This is overlooking the skies of Miami, Florida.

After several weeks of shooting scenes and handling the device, I can confidently say it is a very good product: a practical product that takes great high-definition video and at a reasonable price.

While it is not a 5-star product, it is much better than a 4-star rating. Here are my specific thoughts.

The Good.

* High-definition resolution. Considerably better than the video footage I take with my Canon (5 stars).
* Sound--picks up sound very well (sometimes too well!)
* Compact design. Unobtrusive design fits well in a pant pocket. It is designed to fit in a casings made for an iPod.
* Reasonable price for a high-definition, portable video camera.

The Concerns.

As with the case with any mass-produced product, there's the inevitable batch of units or parts in a unit that fail to live up to quality-expectation and, in the end, the product ceases to perform. These things happen and all things being equal, these moments are the exception to a product line and not the usual.

While the battery and the harddrive are sealed within the unit, I'd like to see each accessible for removal when necessary as problems sometimes arise. And, certainly, if a company is confident in the overall quality of their product--design and performance--then, certainly they should go on the record and offer more than a 90-day parts and service guarantee.

Conclusion.

I am very impressed with the video quality and battery life of the Flip Mino HD. (Although, for half a battery charge, you'll need to have the camera plugged into the u.s.b for at least 3.5 hours.)

For safety precautions, for units that are self-contained, I'd strongly recommend that one downloads the footage as soon as possible after it's been taken and make sure that the camera has had ample time to recharge.

4.5 stars.

I have been using the Flip for a couple months and it has worked great.
It is easy to use, had great quality video and for under $200 it was a good deal too.
Yesterday I filmed the Olympic torch relay as it passed infront of my house in British Columbia, i watched the video on my tv afterwards and it was like I was there again.
I plan on using the flip UltraHD this summer alot for my outdoor recreation, fishing, and hunting. It fits in a small front pocket and can start filming from being off in less than 3 seconds.

This HD camera does exactly what it claims to, gives you a 'point and shoot' camera with astonishingly good picture and sound. It is not great in low light but that's to be expected in this price range. It works perfectly with my mac.