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Flip HD Camera
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Flip Ultra HD
My girlfriend had been badgering me for sometime about my mobile phone. It wasn’t the phone that bothered her it was that I was using it as a video camera. She insisted the video feature was for spur of the moment unplanned type stuff.
She was right. I was using it for everyday events and special occasions when I should have been using something with better picture quality.
Not too long ago an ad caught my eye for something called a Flip Ultra HD. The advertisement showed a gadget about the size of a cell phone but, insisted it was a video camera.
My first thought was ‘I can’t afford this level of technology on my budget.’ Amazon.com came to the rescue; their price was a surprisingly affordable $170(Now only $120). So, I went ahead and ordered it because, well, I didn’t need a reason other than I wanted it. Besides, shipping was free with Amazon super saver.
When the package arrived everything I needed to get started was there; the Flip, a battery pack, a wrist strap and a soft-sided carrying case. The accompanying user’s manual was called a ‘Quick Start Guide.’ Being true to its name it was an easy, no nonsense booklet that had me feeling like a pro in no time.
For those of you who have never seen a Flip, I have added a few pictures (below). Also check out what Amazon has to say about it, Click Here; it may answer a lot of questions. I have provided a few customer reviews at the end of this review.
This remarkable device fits snuggly in your hand (4.25” x 2.19” x 1.17”) and weighs less than 6 oz. The Flip Camera gets its name from the USB arm that springs out from the side of the camera. The USB speed is a healthy 2.0 or roughly 60Mb/sec which is more than ample for us amateurs.
Those who have written reviews of the Flip call it ‘The World’s Simplest HD Camera.’ To put that in layman’s terms, it’s idiot proof.
One of the best features is opposite the USB arm; it’s the ON/OFF button, the placement of this button prevents the user from turning it off when they are trying to take a picture. Other unique features are it powers up in an instant, just 4 seconds; and when the camera has been idle for a while it turns itself off saving the user the headache of not having enough battery power when needed.
On the front of the Flip is the camera’s lens; on the back is a 2.0” diagonal LED screen. This screen has a resolution of 320 x 240 with a handy feature called Transflective (TFT). The TFT helps you see the screen in bright sunlight so you don’t have to run to a shady spot to see your images clearly.
Below the screen is a red circular button for starting and stopping the camera. Surrounding the red button are 4 other buttons to assist with zoom, volume, fast forward and rewind. Additional components are the play button to see what you have recorded and the best aspect is the lock on the delete button. This little feature is in place for those of us who, are all thumbs, won’t accidently delete what we want to save.
For its size this camera has an incredible recording time of 2 hours. The memory isn’t expandable but, this has not been a problem. The color options are black and white, I chose black so it won’t show the dirt. For those of you who are versed in photography jargon these numbers will impress you.
The Ultra Flip HD is equipped with AA rechargeable battery pack (1.2 Volt NimH rechargeable) which charges in about six hours through a computer UBS port. If you elect to purchase the power adapter ($14 on Amazon) you can cut the recharge time in half. Other accessories include, for you SCUBA divers there is an underwater case for about $40. Black or silver soft pouch, USB cables, power adapter, battery pack, tripod, HDMI cables with an action tripod. There is a hard case and silicon cover to protect the Flip from those scratch and dent vacations.
I selected the Ultra HD over the smaller, lighter Mino HD due to the Ultra’s ability to use 2 AA batteries if the battery pack runs low. Having to switch from the pack to batteries shouldn’t happen often; the pack has over 2 hours of life. It will use up memory space before your battery back runs out.
Additional features of the Flip Ultra HD are built in speakers and a wide range stereo microphone. The sound quality greatly improves when listening to the Ultra through the computer. Purchase the Mini HDMI cables ($14 on Amazon) and plug your Flip directly into your HD TV and enjoy your videos on the big screen. For those who want to go hands free a tripod mount is secured to the bottom of the camera.
Check your computer for your Flips minimum requirements:
I have had no trouble with the Flip’s USB arm, no fear of it falling, it is securely fastened. Don’t let the screen size (2” diagonally) fool you, you will be surprised with the quality; and that quality stays when you upload to your computer. You won’t have to fumble with discs because all the software is inside the camera. Just plug in the Flip let the software upload and it will walk you through.
Flipshare software is about as idiot proof as possible. You will recognize the tool bar with the usual functions. On the left side of the screen the menu allows you to catalog your videos for easy retrieval. When the software is working it lets you know what’s happening and when it’s done. Thumb nails will appear to help you visually identify your videos. The video software (with available updates) allows you to email videos, create video greeting cards and to upload to MySpace and YouTube. This software also permits you to take still images from your videos. The program will walk you step by step and frame by fame to get just the image you want. Customer support is ready to help anytime you need it. Believe it or not, they actually have real people waiting to assist you.
As soon as you purchase your Flip HD, register it, as the company offers ‘fun days out cards.’ These cards are accepted at over 200 different family outing venues. Take your family and your Flip to the National Seal Sanctuary, a game of paintball or the Royal Marines Museum. This card is valid until Dec. 31, 2011. Contact the venue of your choice for details.
Because of my Flip HD, I don’t miss a thing. At the last family gathering my granddad took interest in my Flip and now he has one too. Don’t miss out on another one of life’s precious moments, catch Flip fever today.
If you are interested in this great camera I highly recommend you to buy it from Amazon.com Just click one
of the links in the text or on this button
I have gathered a couple of reviews for you just below.
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