1,781 of 1,811 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent, Compact Camcorder
Customer Video Review
Length:: 3:05 Mins
I've made a video review, using the Flip Ultra Camcorder, so that you can see the audio/video quality (Keep in mind I had to compress the video a little bit for Amazon), and I also show how to use the camcorder.
In my opinion, this is an excellent camcorder for a novice, or someone who just wants an easy to use camcorder that is small...
702 of 715 people found the following review helpful:
Good portable camera, the younger brother to the HD Model
I have two Flip camcorders - the MinoHD, and the Flip Ultra (this product).
I consider this one to be the younger brother to the MinoHD, with lower video quality, but also some things I like better than the HD model. Therefore I'm giving this 3.5 stars, and here is why.
Here's what I like BETTER:
1. the larger viewing screen on the camera -...
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program(What's this?)
Length:: 3:05 Mins
I've made a video review, using the Flip Ultra Camcorder, so that you can see the audio/video quality (Keep in mind I had to compress the video a little bit for Amazon), and I also show how to use the camcorder.
In my opinion, this is an excellent camcorder for a novice, or someone who just wants an easy to use camcorder that is small and compact. I personally don't need more than 2 hours recording time and it's wonderful not having to purchase tapes.
The price is actually less than many digital cameras. I've wanted to own a camcorder for a long time, and the Flip Ultra has finally met my standards for: quality, value, and ease of use.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program(What's this?)
I have two Flip camcorders - the MinoHD, and the Flip Ultra (this product).
I consider this one to be the younger brother to the MinoHD, with lower video quality, but also some things I like better than the HD model. Therefore I'm giving this 3.5 stars, and here is why.
Here's what I like BETTER:
1. the larger viewing screen on the camera - as compared to the HD version, this one has a much better viewing screen and a much better field of vision. the HD version has to be some distance away from what you're filming in order to get a good view, but with the ultra you can be much closer to your subject and still see all around them
2. more space - 120 minutes means I can carry this thing with me all day and take create 640x480 video, up to 2 hours worth, and that's important if you're out and about (although I wish there was a way to put a memory card into it for more space)
3. The product has a better surface for holding and gripping the camera. The HD version is glossy and slick, where as the Ultra version has a more matte finish on the case so it's easier to hold.
Here's what I don't especially care for:
1. It requires batteries. The HD model is rechargeable, so you just plug it into the USB on your computer and the battery recharges itself. The Flip Ultra takes AA batteries, and while you certainly can use rechargeable batteries, I consider this a step backward. (the batteries also add weight)
2. it's only 640x480 - this is pretty much bottom end for video capture these days, especially when most digital cameras are now able to record in HD dimensions; if you are super concerned about presenting your finished video in HD, this product is NOT for you
What is the same?
1. The USB plug is a flip-out in both models, you just press on the release latch and the USB plug flips out - just plug it into your computer and the software starts up automatically (note that the ultra version does have the latest version of the software which has some additional picture capture and uploading options - you can get this from the website too)
2. From power on, to ready to go, both cameras are FAST. Push the power button, set the date/time (only first time you turn it on) and the camera is ready to go. Push the record button and you're off. Much faster than many digital cams on the market.
3. One button recording - same on both, it's a big red button that you can't miss.
4. Good sound quality. The mic on the front of the device gets the sound quite well, without the need for external mic.
5. TV output cable and plug. If you want to show your video on a TV without having a computer around, you can use the included audio/video plug to watch your movies (just remember that your battery will run down faster)
Overall I think this is a great addition to the Flip video line - just consider it the more consumer version vs. prosumer (HD level). For the price, storage space, and ease of carrying it everywhere, I'm giving it 3.5 stars. I removed 1.5 stars because of lack of rechargeable features, and it's slightly heavier than the HD model.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program(What's this?)
Length:: 5:30 Mins
Showing the 2nd generation Flip in action: using the Flip and what's in the box, some video samples, and a quick movie editing example using the Windows version of the Flip software.
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This camcorder came with dead batteries. After several failed attempts to start it, popped in new batteries and it finally started.
First of all this camcorder cannot replace your regular video camera. It has limitations in terms of zoom and picture quality in low light.
I love this camcorder. I gave it 5 stars, because it takes "Easy" to a whole new level
-You do not have to worry about any flash card (the format, the capacity, the ridiculous high price) or tape or CD. It stores video and sound in its internal memory.
-You do not have to worry about carrying a USB cord because it has an inbuilt USB arm that pops out.
-You do not have to worry about carrying a software CD. The software is built into the camcorder and loads it when you connect it to your computer.
-You do not have to worry about recharging batteries because it runs on easily available 2 AA batteries (but you can buy a rechargeable battery pack for a price from the Flip store).
-You do not have to worry about carrying an extra bag for a video camera. This camcorder easily fits into a purse or trouser pocket.
-You do not have to worry about your camcorder taking its own sweet time to start up. This starts in a jiffy and you are ready to go.
You are ready to capture and playback video at will, easily...
Construction:
Body is made of plastic like material. It looks good and feels quite light when you hold it. Battery cover is located just below the lens and feels delicate. The attached USB arm, I feel, is not a good design. Even though it is light, I provide support to the camcorder when it is attached to the USB port of my laptop. So if you have to connect it to a Desktop, it might hang awkwardly from the USB port (I let it hang from my laptop USB port for about 5 minutes, it did not look it was in any danger of breaking off).....You can buy a USB connector from the Flip store at, of course, a price. The screen is very clear to see what is being captured or to watch your video played back.
Operation:
It is extremely easy to operate and has very few buttons. You start recording and playback videos right out of the box. Nothing to load, rewind, fast forward. If at all you need to go through the instruction manual, you can cover it in about 15 minutes.
Picture Quality:
Under bright conditions and out in the open the picture quality is excellent. The picture is sharp and the colors, true and beautiful. Under well lit conditions inside, the picture again is excellent. But under low light conditions it is grainy. Since it has very limited zoom, you need to move closer to the subject to get a good close up.
Sound Quality:
The sound quality is excellent. It is sharp and clear
Software:
Self installing software installed without any problems on my Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit system. Again it is easy to use and create movies with your videos. You can also capture snapshots from your videos through the software. This is great because now I do not have to switch from video capture to still photo capture and then back again.
This camcorder is a well thought out quality product.....
Finally...
I called Amazon for a price adjustment for this camcorder (I paid $149.99 and the price fell by $15.00 three days after I received the camcorder). I was informed that the price adjustment policy has been canceled...bummer...But the customer service guy was okay about returning the item and buying at the new lower price. Huh???
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program(What's this?)
The new Flip Ultra Camcorder 2nd Generation comes in with a few tweaks over the original Ultra. Most notably the internal memory jumps from 2GB to 4GB which equates to about 2 hours of video. Image quality is much improved via the new installed software package. Audio on this model is more enhanced then previous versions via the upgraded microphone. This model accommodates both Mac and Windows operating systems. The LCD screen is expanded from 1.5" to 2". The control buttons are larger. The sliding power button is no more. The tekkies at Flip opted for the industry standard push button. This unit is slightly larger then the original Ultra. The body is plastic and comes in black, pink, white, and yellow with a chrome finish.
Simplicity at its best, above average video is obtained with 640x480 resolution video at 30fps, compressing it using H.264, and encodes it as MPEG 4. As with all Flip gear, shooting and transferring videos to a computer or even uploading them to file sharing sites is simple. The on board 2x digital zoom is a gadget at best and is practically useless. First time mini camcorder buyers should be aware that manual, advanced or still capture settings are not an option. However, the preloaded software package easily allows stills to be pulled direct from video.
For a low resolution model, the Ultra produces above average video as long as one views it via the programmed format on the computer monitor or TV. Enlarging to full screen will not only distort the image, it will also bring on the noise demons. That said, colors were well saturated, sound was good and low light performance was average at best. Buyers should keep in mind that a steady hand is paramount to good video. A tripod will make all the difference in shooting quality video.
Powered up via (2) AA alkaline batteries, this unit opts for a simple video out port that displays low resolution video on TV. The basic composite AV cable (RED/WHITE/YELLOW PLUGS) ships with the device. The folks at Flip throw in batteries, wrist strap and a soft, zip string cover to protect the Ultra's plastic finish. The cover will not come close to protecting the mini cam from bumps and drops. It goes without saying that a memory card slot or even rechargeable batteries would have made this product an even sweeter investment.
By no means will the Flip Ultra Camcorder 2nd Generation be confused with any of the top dollar units. However, it is a system that can and will cover the basics for web based video. For those that do not wish to sink the extra bucks into a top of the line mini camcorder, this model will more than cover the bill.
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If you've done any camcorder shopping at all, it doesn't take long to realize that we've got a problem with function/feature overload. You could pick camcorder A with night vision, steady hand, and sepia filming capabilities...or you could pick camcorder B with the touch screen, HD video quality, and 50 other functions that you'd never use... The list, as you no doubt have discovered, goes on and on.
This is why I LOVE my Flip. Within 2 minutes of opening the box, it was on and ready to start recording. Within those same two minutes, I'd read the instructions on how to record, playback, and download the videos onto my computer. In my opinion, this is brilliant technology - it's small, convenient, and incredibly simple. Still want high-quality videos, not to worry, this puppy can capture 'em.
If you're an aspiring filmmaker with a commitment to the best of the best of the best...the Flip's probably not the best choice for you. But if you're like the vast majority of people who just want a quality camcorder (and be honest, even though they sound cool, you won't use a quarter of those features on the $400+ camcorders) that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, buy the Flip. It's incredible.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program(What's this?)
I bought family members first generation Flips some time ago, and they were so impressed by their simplicity and convenience that I had to get one for myself. I justified it by explaining to my wife that it would make Amazon reviews so much easier (I haven't once used it in that way), but really I saw it as a new toy. Sometimes less is more, and that certainly seems to hold true in the camcorder world -- at least as far as the Flip is concerned. While there are certainly bigger, better, and far more professional solutions about, the real value to the Flip is that it can go with you anywhere, and you can forget all about it until a shooting situation comes up. We've used ours to record press conferences, and post the same online for others to see. We've created our own virtual tours of homes we were interested in. We sent it to Princeton for my grandfather's 65th reunion, so I could at least enjoy the festivities from a distance. We've used it far more often than we ever imagined we really would, and it's proven to be as much a real tool as a novelty. That you can hand it to someone who has never seen it before, and instruction can be limited to "on/off here, start/stop recording there," means that it's near universally accessible, and fun even for those who might otherwise be somewhat technologically averse.
I grabbed the 2d gen Ultra because I wanted the additional storage space. What I didn't expect was to enjoy a larger view screen, a better (by my eye) on/off toggle (a simple push button, rather than a slide), higher quality audio, and a number of functional enhancements on the software side, such as mass delete with confirm.
Curiously, I no longer seem to be able to just pull the .avi files from the Flip into the Movie Maker software that comes bundled with Windows Vista, but I'm not prepared to actually complain about that fact, as it may be as easy as saving them in another format before pulling them in. If someone else has a meaningful solution here, I'd love to hear it.
That aside, I'd be hard pressed to come up with a single complaint about this generation of the Flip. Unlike hauling around a 'real' camera or camcorder, you can toss this one in your pocket and forget all about it until you need or want it. You can teach others to use it in under 30 seconds. Uploading to services like Youtube is easy even for those who have never done it before, with or without the software bundled in the camera itself. I couldn't be happier that I took the leap from the basic first generation to the Ultra 2nd.
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I needed a cheap little camera that took good video of my grandkids since my children are so remiss in doing so. I thought this little camera would be good since I saw some great reviews on it and the folks were right. It is light weight,easy to carry and pull out quickly, shoots high quality video. The kids are not usually aware of you filming which gives great shots. All good so far until I used up the 2 hours of video, and I was out of town. I did not have my computer with me, so I was trapped with video that I could not download and no way to save what I had.
My son suggested I go to Staples, or Best Buy and get a flashdrive and have them download it to the flashdrive. I did that and it worked fine. Now I just carry the flash drive with me and it gives me another 2 hours of film time. You will need an 8GB flash drive for the camera since that is what is inside the camera and it will hold 2 hours of filming. Editing is cumbersome and not very well thought out in the software, but you can buy other software to edit that works better.
If you are planning on taking this camera camping, be aware that you need to be near a high tech source when the film runs out. Although 2 hours seems like a long time, it isn't.
Grandma Judy
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I've been using this camera for a few months and have noticed one major problem. All of the video it takes is somewhat zoomed in. Even if you use the controls to zoom all the way out, the video appears to be zoomed in. In other words, it's the opposite of a wide angle lens.
This is terrible when shooting in close quarters. I use the camera for taking video of house tours and it makes every room seem so much smaller than video taken with another camera or photos taken with another camera. You get so much less stuff in the shot and have to try to back up all the way into the corner of the room to get even a decent shot of the room.
If you want to see what it's like, take your digital camera, zoom to 3x, and see what it looks like. Understand that that's the furthest you can pan out with the Flip.
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I got this for my mother as a Christmas gift. It worked great for about 6 months. Then it wouldn't work all of sudden. Never dropped or mishandled. Worked with tech support and couldn't revive it. Only came on with the little flip beep and then turned back off. I sent it to the company to be repaired. Got it back a about 40 days later. It worked and they fixed it even though it was beyond the warranty! We were so happy. Then on the next outing. Dead. Wouldn't work again. Since the warranty is only 90 days, there is nothing to do, except complain here and get another brand.
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