Flip Ultra Video Camera - White, 1 GB, 30 Minutes (1st Generation) OLD MODEL
by Flip Video
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List Price: Our Price: $124.99 You Save: $25.00 (17%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $31.99 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Flip Ultra Video Camera - White, 1 GB, 30 Minutes (1st Generation) OLD MODEL
Customer Review: 30 minute white Flip video - perfect for what it is
Summary: 5 Stars
You're not going to make super high definition full length movies on this. All you can do with this is take up to 30 minutes of video at a time that you can share on YouTube or email to friends or store for later viewing.
As long as your expectations for becoming the next Scorsese with this remain realistic (i.e. LOW) this is the perfect casual video camera.
The controls are intuitive. I played with this a while before I got around to reading the directions. The software stays on the camera, so you can plug it into almost any computer and download pictures. The USB connection seems sturdy, but just to be sure, I put a book or something under the camera when I've got it connected to the computer.
The software that gets loaded on your computer so you can download, view, and edit your clips is pretty user friendly.
Thirty minutes is quite long enough for me. I drag my netbook with me on vacations, so if for some reason I get close to the time limit, I empty the camera out when I get back to the hotel and I'm good to go the next day. That said, I haven't come close to using up 30 minutes in a day of vacation. I keep my clips fairly short (usually under a minute), and delete them on the fly if they are obviously not what I was going for.
This was a gold box item when I bought it, and the price was about $60-$70. I do think $130 (today's price) is a little steep for 30 minutes of video when you can (today) get the 60 minute green Flip for $100 and the 120 minute black one for $130. Thirty minutes is fine, but if I can get 4 times that for the same price and (in theory) have the same quality machine, I'd go for that.
That said, this is a Five Star product for the price at which I bought it.
Customer Review: What a great invention!
Summary: 5 Stars
I absolutely love this handy, too easy-to-use video camera. This little gem is a reprieve in a busy complex day. You can read my blog post about it at http://publishingpeople.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/a-flip-video-love-stor/.
It does lack a flash, although in most cases you'll find it is not needed. The flip adjusts well to lower light conditions. It also lacks an external charging system. If you've ever forgot to plug a camera battery in to charge, though, you know this, too, is not necessarily a negative. Either stock up on AA's or buy 4 rechargeables. You'll always be prepared (just remember to put them in your camera bag!)
This particular model offers 30 minutes of memory and no slot for a flash card. For the average movie taker on the move, 30 minutes will suffice. It's also the perfect solution for bringing out the you-tube producer in yourself.
The fact that the USB plugs directly into the computer is a definite plus. I always have so many computer and phone accessories to pack around. The self contained Flip is a delight. I did find the download with the Flip software to be very slow. I'm not sure if it's just the way it is or a Mac thing. I stopped trying to use the software but may research it later as it was very user friendly once the video was downloaded.
This is a great camcorder which will encourage more spontaneity and fun! You won't be disappointed.
Customer Review: Decent quality, excellent portability and a low price!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first got the flip my expectations were pretty low - useful for situations where I don't have room for the 'real' camcorder.
That was about 4 months ago and since then the 'real' camcorder has been languishing in its case whereas the flip goes everywhere with us. I love that you can just slip it in your purse (it is a little larger than a deck of cards) pull it out when there is a memorable moment and record it at once! Downloading the video is as easy as pie! the software pops up when you flip open the usb thingie (tech ignorant here) and plug it into your computer. It allows you to edit, merge clips, add titles, etc and is definitely good enough for me. I don't make fancy super edited and workshopped videos of our family so this is perfect. I plug it in, email the video out and the entire family gets to see it.
The only drawback I can see is that the flip out usb seems to be a little flimsy. I have a laptop with horizontal usb ports and I always place the Flip on a book and then plug it in so that the weight of the camera is not hanging on the usb itself. My guess is that it is built to take it but I don't really want to take a chance.
Customer Review: Super portable; best use is with outdoor lighting
Summary: 5 Stars
The Flip camcorder has its drawbacks, but at its best, it is an ultra-portable, lightweight and braindead camcorder. I can drop it in my purse next to my digital camera and my cell phone (it's not much larger than either) and be sure that I capture any special moments as I'm about on a day-to-day basis with my daughter. No more missing first baby steps or first words.
This camera is perfect for the non techno saavy, like myself. Its USB port connects directly from the camera, so there's no wires to lose. I wish that its batteries charged on an AC adapter, rather than using regular AA's.
The photo quality is decent, but it's grainy in low light. The sound quality is excellent, much better than you'll find on the camcorder function of any digital camera -- which is the reason we got this in the first place.
The absolute biggest con is that the film can be pretty shaky as there appears to be no motion stabilization. So best use is standing still or on a tripod. Still, it functions fine for the price and its portability makes up for its shortcomings.
Customer Review: Very Impressed with this Flip Camera
Summary: 5 Stars
I am Very Impressed with this Flip Camera! I bought it based on the other reviews and I could not be any more pleased. The Color LCD viewer is bright and clear and the One-Click record button is very simple to use. My computer recognized the Flip right away and downloaded the necessary software to download so I could transfer the films. Each time you click on the record button you are making a single, seperate video but the software allows you to link them all together to make a smooth and seemless video.
I have also burned my first DVD from the film I took and this could not have been easier. It coached me through how to make a chapters page, colors to import, images to import, music to import, credits to create and then click to burn. Very simple and the disk played on my DVD machine. The 30 min capacity is more than adequate. The AOL Video Share option is no longer valid but the software will point you to a very friendly replacement video store and share site.
I highly recommend this product in the strongest of terms. You will not be disappointed.