The Bottom Line: Absolutely the easiest video recorder I have ever used, I am very happy with the video cam, though the stills you take off the video are only average.
craftgun40's Full Review: Flip Video Mino Digital Camera
I purchased the Flip Video Mino a few weeks ago for $99 as an impulse buy, and what a fun little bit of electronics the Flip is.
My Flip Mino came in shiny black, I believe you can have your choice of black or white though I wasn't offered a choice.
It is very small and thin and will easily fit into a shirt or pants pocket. It is smaller than a pack of cigarettes and only about 1 inch thick. A small soft bag came with it to store your Flip and I do recommend you do that to avoid scratches and to help protect it.
What makes the Flip so nice is that you can start recording in three or four seconds of the time you turn it on. It has a built in 2 gb memory for up to 60 minutes of video so no need for video cards, and it runs on a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery.
Re-charging the battery can be as simple as using the built in flip out usb plug. An optional adapter can be purchased but I chose to simply charge it by using my computer,though a word of caution on this.
When I tried to charge it the first time,it didn't look like a very efficient or safe way to do it. The Flip was kind of hanging from the usb port, until I realized that I keep my computer on a incline to let air circulate under neath it. As soon as I set the computer flat, then the Flip slid right into the usb port and was supported underneath by the table itself. So make sure your computer is flat on a surface before you slide the Flip into the usb port.
A tv cable also come with the Flip to play back on your TV, but I have not actually used that function. I do know from reading thru the manual that you do have to plug and turn it on in a specific sequence, if not it will not play until you do it correctly.
The flip has a nice sized 1.5 screen that sounds small but is actually a nice viewing size. You can record your mp4-videos sound and play them back instantly.
Video is only a mediocre 640 x 480. In video mode the quality is fine but if you do still shot captures, let them be for sentimental purposes for they are not the best quality but perfectly OK to maybe grab a still that you would not have had without the video.
The Flip has only 8 back lit buttons, however you still have to know what those buttons do. Luckily for me, the Flip really only has one On button located on the side and away from the other digital buttons. When you look at the back of the Flip, the top is the viewing screen. When you turn on the Flip it goes into "ready" mode, and all you do do is depress the large red button to start and stop the video.
Zooming is easy enough, depress the lighted plus button and your 2x zoom goes into action, to zoom back out depress the lighted minus button. When you stop the video, a lighted Forward and Reverse button appear and you can depress either one to browse thru your stored videos. Each video will be numbered and in sequence.
When you find the recorded video you want to preview, you press the button and it will play, when your done if you want to delete the video, just depress the little trash can.
When the screen is on but in standby mode, READY will show up on your screen and all you have to do is depress the red button to start recording or stop it. A screen tells you how much battery life you have left, with a symbol but also the remaining time is printed out so there is no guess work on your part.
What is really nice is that all the buttons do not show up all the time, only the appropriate buttons show depending on what mode your in.
It is almost impossible to become confused using this little cam recorder. Mine came partically charged, so right out of the box I had it running in seconds without reading the manual.
Getting your info transferred to you puter is a snap. Simply plug it in and load the program that comes with it. From that point on, you are pretty smooth sailing. Also it supports instant uploading to some of the more popular social networks, like myspace, facebook or youtube.
One thing I did notice right off the bat though, was that there was no pause button. You are either recording a video or your not. Each time you stop recording and hit the red button it pauses the camera but also makes a brand new video. It is easy to have 20 short videos of one topic.
I did not use their program but ran my videos thru Windows Movie Maker and it was awesome, let me put all the videos together into one longer video with music, credits,and more.
I uploaded to facebook in seconds and was able to share my first video with family and friends.
I should add that the little Flip is smooth and very sleek. No buttons protrude, for all the buttons with the exception of the on and off switch are digital and you simply depress the image of the button on the screen.
I love my flip so far, have had all fun and no despair other than not having a pause button. I bought mine on sale for $99 and free shipping.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99.00 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
It's the power of video in your pocket. Small and slim enough to go anywhere. So now you have a fun way to tell your stories wherever you go.More at PCNation
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