The Flip Video camera review
I recently purchased "The Flip" ultra series camcorder on Amazon because I was in need to make quick videos on the go and could not carry a large camcorder in my pockets.
I purchase my Flip camera on Amazon because I was able to receive a free shipping offer and with Amazon, I always receive my purchases within days, even a lot faster than their estimation delivery. They were also running a good offer, so I saved a few bucks.
The Flip digital video camera is probably one of the best purchase I have made in a long time. It's a digital camcorder which can hold up to 60mn of videos, which translates of 1 GB in internal memory.
It is really easy to use, just put 2 AA batteries in there and you're ready to go. I used the camera for almost 3 hours straight before it died on me, not bad at all.
The compact size of such a video device was probably the most appealing feature to me as I could carry it in my pocket without any problem. And, it is so light and small that you can really play around with it, make easy videos or yourself and also film over a crowd of people by simply pulling your arm up without suffering...you won't get tired cause the Flip weighs nothing!
I own a Nikon S1 digital camera on which I can make video. The videos are not bad, but the Nikon was not made to make videos. The resolution on the Flip camcorder is a 640x480 and the videos are not half bad let me tell you! I was really surprised by the video quality you get from it.
In the back of the Flip, you will find a 280 x 120 pixels screen to see what you're filming, not the largest display you would expect, but it is a good size for this device.
The sound quality is good, but like with other inexpensive electronic devices, you'll have to make the extra effort to get closer from your target to capture the sound properly.
There is a really convenient USB arm which plugs directly into your computer for easy sharing and archiving. I haven't tested it yet, but when I do, I'll post back.
Anyone I handed the camera was able to make it work without any problem, wife, mom, kids, everyone knows how to use it cause it is so simple.
So if you are looking to make memorable videos during the Holidays, with a good quality and not have to carry a camcorder that is too complicated to use, spend $150 or less and get a Flip video camera.
update: managing videos So i finally ended up connecting my Flip to my iMac today. The Flip was instantly recognized by my computer and a window opened. I could click on the app for Mac and was then prompted to make a few updates.
The first one was a video plugin one, probably for the app to manage the videos. The second one was for the Flip camera system itself. It took me a few tries but it finally updated correctly and I was able to use the Flip video application.
It's pretty cool and super simple. You can email videos (it will automatically compress and reformat the video to an acceptable size), save videos locally (you can organize them by creating folders), share videos online via AOL and edit them as well. I have not yet played with the editing functions, but I will soon and i'll post about it.
As I previously said, this Flip video camera is a great bang for a buck and I am really happy I purchased it to make some memorable videos that I can share in a blink of the eye with my friends and family.
My Updater downloaded the new Quick Time (QT) 7.4.5 on 5 Apr 2008. I started making Flip movies in Jan 2008 with iMovie then posting them to YouTube. In the beginning I uploaded the movies as MOVs but soon discovered AVI files (larger file and added time to upload) had more clarity when viewed on YouTube. Once the new QT 7.4.5 downloaded all my AVIs had picture, but no sound! I downloaded the Perian component as posted in QT discussions. The sound returned to the AVI files. However, when I Exported an AVI movie from iMovie or QT the picture quality was worse than MOV. There is something wrong with the new QT 7.4.5 when working with Flip Video AVI files. My Flip AVI movies look terrible. Flip has acknowledged this problem, however no word from Apple. Hope this helps current users. For future users, make sure Quick Time Pro and Flip Video are compatible before purchasing these products.
Update since 2008-04-20:
My MAC PowerPc G4 has performed well in the past two months when working with the Flip Video camera. So, at Flip Video’s suggestion I upgraded the operating system to OS 10.5 from OS 10.4.11. Flip Video says their camera works with OS 10.5. Once OS 10.5 was uploaded I soon discovered that iMovie 08 would not operate on my PowerPc G4, 1.86 MHz. The speed requirement for iMovie 08 is 1.9 GHz.
At this point of “spinning my wheels for nearly a month” with this Flip Video camera, I decided to purchase a new iMac. On May 2, 2008, I walked out of the Apple Store in Walnut Creek with the new iMac 20-inch: 2.66GHz. Now the Flip video camera should work and all my video problems solved. However, this was not to be.
When I attempted to Import Flip Video AVI and MOV files into iMovie 08 the files were “grayed out” and would not Import. None of my previous Flip Video files would Import. I tried making new Flip Video movies, they also would not Import into iMovie 08.
At another Apple Store, the tech suggested I download the previous version of iMovie HD. I did this and with hours of working through the different Export options I was able to create movies to post again on youTube. However, the picture quality of the newer iMovies has never approached the quality of my last post before QT 7.4.5 downloaded. Remember my problems started with QT 7.4.5. Well, my new iMac came with QT 7.4.1, I have not Uploaded QT 7.4.5 and won’t until Flip Video fixes this problem.
Examples of my Flip Video movies can be viewed on youTube at: sffoggydays. The last video with excellent picture quality was posted 6 Apr 2008 titled “A Day at the San Francisco Zoo, Chapter Nine, L-Taravel Ride to BART.” This video was made in iMovie and Exported before QT 7.4.5 downloaded. All the youTube Flip Videos made after 6 Apr 2008 have poor picture quality.
It is time for Flip Video camera to stop “passing the buck” to Apple. When manufactures of operating system such as Apple and Microsoft create newer and upgraded systems, it is the responsibility of the manufactures of applications to redo their programs for operating on the new systems. Here is where Flip Video is not accepting this responsibility to Mac users of their camera. The Flip Video application/codex/drivers need to be updated in order to fix the following problems:
- No sound on AVI files in QT 7.4.5
- No Import of AVI and MOV files in iMovie 08
- Poor picture quality for youTube in Export of iMovie HD
I like my Flip Video camera, want to continue making movies for youTube, and recommending the camera to others. The Flip Video camera people need to fix these problems for Mac users. 26 May 2008.
Here is the Flip Video email response on 27 May 2008:
Hello,
Thank you for your response.
We are not authorized to support third party applications, which is why we do not provide specific instructions regarding iMovie or any other third party application. We only support the Flip and the Flip program, while offering suggestions regarding other programs.
The Apple website also offers Perian as a workaround regarding audio on the Tiger operating system with the latest QuickTime. The latest QuickTime upgrade didn’t allow for audio playback of AVI files, which is why Perian is now offered as a work around by us and by Apple.
It seems as though you are able to playback your videos, as well as use them in outside applications. If this is not the case, and you are having issues using your Flip video or your Flip video program, feel free to contact us further.
Thank you,
Consumer Support
Pure Digital Technologies, Inc.