Flip Ultra Series Camcorder, 60-Minutes (Black) OLD MODEL
by Flip Video
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List Price: Our Price: $79.99 You Save: $70.00 (47%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $53.99 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Flip Ultra Series Camcorder, 60-Minutes (Black) OLD MODEL
Customer Review: want no customer service by phone and a machine that doesn't work?:
Summary: 5 Stars
Forget my previous glowing review. After the wonder of how great it took pictures, I tried to save the videos, well forget it. The thing crashed my home computer, my office computer and my notebook.
There is NO customer service number to call. The response I got to my query is patently absurd (see below in it's entirety). If you want to be working on your computer for hours buy this piece of junk.
Personally, I'm going to try to return the thing.
Hello,
Thank you for contacting us.
Please follow the below stated instructions to reinstall the program,
and to reformat your camcorder if necessary. Please note that you will
need to move your videos to a safe location, such as your desktop,
prior
to reformatting.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PC:
Please go to your Control Panel and select Add or Remove programs, also
called Programs and Features on Vista, and remove any instance of 3ivx
and Muvee.
After this is done, please reboot your computer and reconnect your
camcorder.
If the problem persists, we suggest reformatting your camcorder and
then
try to load the updated software again on your camcorder.
*Please note*
If you have videos on your camcorder that you wish to save, you will
need to open your DCIM>101VIDEO folder that resides in your camcorder's
root directory. Copy the files into another folder outside the
DCIM>101VIDEO folder, and outside the Flip Video directory. You need to
do this before reformatting your camcorder because once your camcorder
has been reformatted, all data resident will be erased.
Please follow these steps to format your camcorder on your PC:
1. Connect your camcorder to your computer
2. Close any window that pops up asking what you would like to do
3. Open My Computer.
4. Right click on the Flip Video icon.
5. Click on Format.
6. Under File System, open the drop down list and choose FAT.
7. Click Start and then click OK.
After this is done, please go to the following link to re-install the
updated software: [...]
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAC:
Please open your HD and in the search field type "3ivx". Drag all 3ivx
files into your trash can, and empty it. Then, start a search for
"Muvee" and drag all Muvee files into your trash can and empty it.
After this is done, please reboot your computer and reconnect your
camcorder.
If the problem persists, we suggest reformatting your camcorder and
then
try to load the updated software again on your camcorder.
*Please note*
If you have videos on your camcorder that you wish to save, you will
need to open your DCIM>101VIDEO folder that resides in your camcorder's
root directory. Copy the files into another folder outside the
DCIM>101VIDEO folder because once your camcorder has been reformatted,
all data resident will be erased.
Please follow these steps to format your camcorder on your Mac:
1. Connect your camcorder and wait for the icon to show on your
desktop.
2. Go to HD>Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility.
3. In the left hand column, you should see Flip Video.
4. At the top, you should see Erase.
5. Make sure that you have selected Flip Video, and that the File
Format
reads MS-Dos FAT16. Keep the name column the same.
6. Click Erase.
After this is done, please go to the following link to re-install the
updated software: [...]
If this does not alleviate the issue you are experiencing, please do
not
hesitate to contact us further.
Thank you,
Consumer Support
Pure Digital Technologies, Inc.
Customer Review: Why can't all electronics be this simple and easy!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
After only having this camcorder for a week, I can honestly say I will never go back to a regular camcorder again. I bought the first issue of Sony's DVD Camcorder years ago and still don't fully understand it. It cost me $900 back then and I still have to buy 30-60min DVD's that are expensive. I did it because I didn't want to transfer video but it was still cumbersome. In the past year or so, it barely comes out at all and when I want to tape something, I never have it on me. Plus, you need to carry the bulky battery charger and hope things are recharges and ready.
The Flip however is the same size as my comcact Canon camera and actually weighs less. When I opened the box, I was surprised to find 2 AA Duracell batteries already in there as well as a velvet draw string pouch to put the camera in. It has a AV cord to hook up to your TV to playback your videos and a very simple 6 page book for directions. No HUGE manual in 10 languages and more importantly, no software. I did use two NIHM batteries from an old Olympia camera I had. This will save in buying batteries but I still love the fact that I can go almost anywhere to buy AA batteries if I am in a crunch. Now here is what I love the most about the Flip...
Simple 3 steps:
RECORD:
All you need to do is put the batteries in, turn the on/off button on and press the red button. Your recording. Start up time from turn on to recording is 3-4 seconds - no joke. Press the up and down toggles and you zoom in and out. Press the red button again, you stop recording. Press the left and right toggles after you record a few videos and it takes you thru each video taken. Turn the off/on button again and it powers off. The VERY first time you do turn it on, it does make you set the date and time. Eech video will now automatically have the date as the initial name. This is a nice feature and will be appreciated years ahead.
PLAY BACK ON TV (optional)
Plug the cord given into your Flip and then into the TV. Turn on your FLIP and toggle to whatever video you want and hit play. It plays it on your TV perfectly! Turn it off, unplug. Simple.
WATCH/DOWNLOAD ONTO COMPUTER:
Take your flip, hit the side button to "flip" out the USB and push it right into an open USB port on your desktop or laptop. The software will download in 5 minutes tops. You can they see all your videos. You can play them, edit them, rename them, download them into your computer or upload them onto YouTube or AOL - all so easily you don't need a manual. Once you download into your computers hard drive (which is optional) you can burn them onto DVD-R's to avoid a massive amount of video stored on your computer.
This camera is perfect for teens, families with little ones on the go, anyone who still doesn't fully understand their complex and massive camcorder and barely uses it because of it. This little Flip is in my purse all the time. My daughter uses it for "plays and shows" and then plugs it into our TV to watch herself perform.
Now obviously I haven't used it long term but I will update as needed. The one thing I have noticed is that it records closer then what you are seeing on your screen. It is minimal but once I realized that, I now make sure I am not too close to the subject I am taking. I have also read complaints of the red button being hard to press. I have had none but being a girl and having a little bit of nail, this isn't an issue. I guess I can see a man possibly having trouble with it but I can't imagine it being a huge concern. I also initially thought 60min recording time would not be enough but it really is. Unless you are taping a whole play, show, parade, graduation etc... 60min is more then plenty. Plus, it gives the incentive to start downloading and keeping things up to date. For a procrastinator like me, this is very important.
For now, I highly recommend this item. You will not regret it!
Customer Review: Perfect for quick video on the go
Summary: 5 Stars
My girlfriend gave me the Flip as a birthday present just before we went to Puerto Rico to celebrate my birthday. I'm a total tech junkie - the more complicated and powerful, the more I like it. I was actually about to order a Sony Camcorder, you know, the super-duper kind that does 1920x1080p, but then fate intervened and the Flip came into my life. I have to say, I LOVE this little device for the following reasons:
1) Simple to use. Press the red button to record, press it again to stop. When you hook it up to a laptop, it automatically loads its video software and lets you do your thing. It has TV out, so you can plug it in to any television and instantly play video right off of it. It's a self-contained package that really doesn't even require an instruction manual to use.
2) Very light. I have a Canon digital camera that can do 640x480 video too, but it's heavy and is frankly a real pain to carry around with you in your pocket. The Flip is light as a feather.
3) Stores a lot of video. An hour of video is fine for most applications in which you're going to use this thing (when on vacation, I suggest bringing along a laptop and dumping your videos onto your hard drive at the end of the day). It's perfect for sightseeing, taping your cat doing something funny, or taking a few minutes of video for a video diary.
4) Plenty of cool accessories. Along with the camera, I also received the tripod and water-resistant case. I haven't used the tripod yet, but the water-resistant case was amazing because it allowed me to film fish underwater while I was snorkeling. This is something I'd never be able to do with a $1400 camcorder, because I'd surely have to buy some expensive waterproof housing to go along with it.
5) Inexpensive. Sure, this costs over $100, but these days that's less than most cell phones. If I lost or dropped the Flip I'd be peeved, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. But if I lost or dropped a $1400 camcorder? I'd probably start crying. Since the Flip is so inexpensive, you don't really have to keep tabs on it like one of your children.
Those are the pros. Here are the cons:
1) Only does 640x480. If you want higher-resolution video than this, go elsewhere. I don't have a problem with this because I'm only using it for quick, fun videos, which is the intent of the device anyways.
2) Only has digital zoom. You can zoom in on stuff, but it's doesn't do a "real" zoom - it only blows up the existing image and makes it look fuzzy. This is identical to the zoom function on most cell phone cameras, so it's nothing new. My assumption as to why the Flip doesn't have real zoom is because it would really jack up the price (you'd need more lenses, more moving parts for a zoom mechanism, it'd probably put more drain on the batteries, etc.) This doesn't really bother me, but don't expect to be able to do useful zooming.
3) Takes AA batteries, and drains them quickly. I suggest using rechargeables, since a good day of filming (i.e., filming 45 mins. to an hour of video over the course of a day) will use up an entire set of AA's. This is easily manageable (just always have some backup AA's), but it's something you should be aware of.
Overall, I'm INCREDIBLY impressed with this product. It's basically the iPod of camcorders. When you have one of these, you'll want to videotape everything to the point you'll start annoying friends and family. You'll also unlock the wonder of having your own YouTube page. I highly recommend it!
Customer Review: Great Value for Your 1st Camcorder!
Summary: 5 Stars
My husband's wanted a camcorder for YEARS...literally. I've never been really interested in them...but when I saw this one at a special price, I started investigating it to possibly give it to him for a Christmas gift this year.
It had pretty good reviews...sounded fun to use...& easy! The software sounded VERY easy...as did the shareware.
When he rec'd it, he was pretty surprised at its small size! I saw it as a benefit, as it's very simple to tuck away in a pocket or purse. I got it set up on my computer and made sure to download the latest software update. It took a while to do, but other reviewers had insisted this was the crucial step to avoiding problems in the first place.
Christmas Day, I took a very short trial video of my son. The camcorder was VERY EASY to use and figure out, even without reading the QuickStart Guide! The video was good, and the sound was good, also, especially considering that there was Christmas music playing, kids being noisy, etc. That night, I tried emailing the video to some relatives, and I could NOT get it to work!
I finally gave up after a number of tries, and uploaded the video to PhotoBucket, and sent it out that way.
3 days later, the video was rec'd by those I'd sent it to! I finally figured out that the Flip.com server was overloaded with everyone trying to send their newly-recorded videos!
Pros: +Small, compact shape, but not small enough to get lost easily. +Black surface is not slippery at all! +Very simple to use and initially figure out. +Software is very easy to use. I especially like the attractive ecards it allows you to place your video in! +Price is very reasonable for what you get! +Video quality is very good. +USB connection is great in theory. +I like not having a view screen that flips out, as I've always thought there could be the chance it could get broken during use, especially around rowdy kids!
Cons: -Zoom could be better. Of course, a digital zoom would be ideal. -Accessories for the Flip Ultra are of poor quality (USB cords are too tight & too expensive; Flip Ultra case is extremely tight and not worth $1). -Storage pouch that comes with it is not padded. -I'd love a slightly larger view screen, but it's adequate. -Due to all the cords plugged into my computer, it was difficult to plug the flip out USB into my computer. I finally made it work, but I think I'll get a USB cable to help with this situation. -The 60 minute limit on recording is kind of a bummer, even though I knew about it before I bought it. A SD card slot would be extremely useful! We would like to record our kids' sports games...and more than 60 minutes would be awesome! -It took longer than I expected to upload this very short (20 second) video to the website.
Recommendations: *If you want an inexpensive, good-quality camcorder, this is the one for you! *Buy a non-Flip USB cable to make video sharing easier. *Buy some kind of padded electronics case (non-Flip). *Make sure you download the latest software release from Flip.com before using the camcorder.
Customer Review: Simple and effective
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the Flip Video Ultra mainly to take videos of our family gatherings both for keepsakes and to send them to our family members that live too far from us. The expectation was to be able to make videos that we could edit in OS X 10.5, upload to youtube, make DVDs or add to our two AppleTVs.
The good
This is as simple as it gets. It is held more or less the same way that you hold a cell phone while taking pictures/videos, and it is very light. It only has the bare minimum controls to get the job done.
Importing into OS X is easier if you just plug the camera and drag the movies into wherever you want them stored at.
Processing is simple: I just import the clips as iMovie events, and in minutes I can edit the whole thing with transitions, titles and music. Export to Youtube from iMovie is painless, while sending to AppleTV is a bit more involved (this is an iMovie concern, it has nothing to do with the Flip Video).
As a rough estimate, I can take a five-minute clip, edit it and export it to youtube in less than half an hour, and most of that time is wasted in conversions and uploads.
Picture quality: The raw videos look a little bit washed out, but it was easy to fix by changing the white balance in iMovie, so I am suspecting part of the problem was my indoor lighting. The youtube exports look so-so, but this is either an issue with iMovie's output or with whatever conversion youtube does. The iPhone versions of the youtube videos look fantastic, so I am sure this has something to do with youtube's internal conversions. The AppleTV versions look ok, but to me the iPhone versions look much better (even better than the youtube videos seen through AppleTV, instead of videos specifically exported for direct use in AppleTV).
Sound: Sound is great, I have no complaints about it.
The not-so-good
Because I am so damn smart, I did not read the very short instruction sheet and did not notice that big, obvious, lock button for the battery compartment. For the first couple of days I kept pulling the door out while trying to pull the camera out of the carrying pouch. Big obnoxious button, and to me it was completely invisible. Grrr.
The carry pouch sucks, it attracts dirt very easily.
The record button could use a more positive click action, sometimes you don't push it hard enough to trigger it.
The delete function doesn't tell you what to do on screen, you have to guess which button to hit to confirm what you want to do.
That's about it, except for those really tiny nags, it is perfect. This should be one hell of an affordable gift for anyone that has small children, and all you have to do is feed it batteries. I was worried about storage space, but so far I have not been able to fill it up in one session.