Readers have asked me how I’ve been making my videos, lately. I’ve been “Flipping!”
The Flip Video Ultra
High Quality Video and Audio
The video and audio quality are much better than I expected. I’ve seen enough examples of the video quality as more people are using the Flip and the popularity of video blogs continues to grow. But the clear quality and the range of the built-in microphone really impressed me.
An Hour of Recording Time
The Flip does come in a 30-minute model, but for the money the 60-minute Flip Video Ultra
Easy Transfer to Computer
The Flip uses no tapes or removable media. You just “flip” out the built-in USB jack and plug it into a USB port on your computer. The software on it automatically starts and like any USB device, it’s now a removable drive. You can transfer videos from it to your computer, where you can edit them or upload them.
Easy to Use
The Flip Video Ultra
Power and Features
- Never needs to be charged (it runs on good ol’ AA batteries)
- Goes for a good 5 or 6 hours of continuous use
- Automatically shuts off if it’s inactive for more than a minute
- TV playback jack and connector cables (included)
- Tripod connector on the bottom
- Wrist strap you can attach if you want to (you can see it in my video above)
- Intuitive set-up upon starting for the first time (easy to enter the date and other info)
- Outer casing is silicone-coated for a warm, natural hand-feel and non-slip grip
- Time remaining is clearly visible when you’re not recording
- Recording time displays while recording
- LED recording light on the front
The Downside
In order to keep the price down on the Flip Video Ultra
And unless you like having large USB devices hanging off your USB jacks and bending, you’ll need to get a USB connector cable. These issues are not deal-breakers to me, but they’re worth considering before you decide to purchase one. If you buy from Amazon they will offer a combo deal of a Flip with a Neoprene protective case. I got the case and it’s really a cheap piece of trash, do don’t bother with that. I’m getting a hard shell case with a belt loop for mine.
Affordable!
All of the hoo-ha and buzz about the Flip would be pointless if it wasn’t affordable. If you’re serious about shooting video but you want to do it quickly and easily, the Flip is the way to go. It’s more than a casual purchase for most of us, but the payback in the advantages it gives me means this was one of the best decisions I’ve made recently. You can get a Flip Video Ultra
So get a Flip and “Flip yourself on!” 
11 Comments
I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago and I have to agree that for the price, the quality is really very good. Good enough for the web, I say. The one pet peeve for me was the software that came with it. As a Macintosh user, I found it tedious at best to use it. The small previews for attaching these videos to emails made choosing the right template nearly impossible. Right now I am just filming my family, but that will soon change thanks to the info I am finding here on this site. Keep it comin’! Maybe a “how-to” vlog with a Flip video camera is in order?
@ Seshu - I didn’t say anything about the software because I never used it. I never expected anything but something rinky-dink anyways (not that Windows movie maker is much better). I just move the files onto my laptop, edit, and then upload.
I think more “how to” video posts are definitely in order!
New toy! Yay! I am bookmarking this for future reference (i.e. as soon as I have money).
Good call Michael! Got one last month after reading David Pogue rave about it in the New York Times. Here’s a link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/20/technology/personaltech/20pogue.html?sq=flip%20video&st=nyt&scp=1&pagewanted=all
I have a Mac with iMovie 6 and it works great, I read they have issues with iMovie 8. Have posted a couple of things to You Tube and they look good.
@ Aaron - good call on that link. I saw that video of the two Daves and he nailed the benefits of the Flip really well. I can’t speak for how it goes on a Mac, so thanks for providing that perspective.
I’ve got a similar, but older Pure Digital version. Works pretty well but lately I’ve just been using my webcam or my digital still camera that does decent video too.
Neat-o. Now I know what to ask for on Father’s Day. It’ll beat a damned battery-operated tie.
@ Bob - Not by much!
For those mac users having issues. Try the program isquint or visualhub. It does quick converting from avi to mp4 which is perfect for youtube.
I love my flip. Unfortunately its a non-ultra that’s at 30 mins. I would LOVE to upgrade it one of these days.
Anyone knows if it is possible to get a Flip in Australia or New Zealand?
I haven’t seen them on the electronics shops. I bought books and Cds through Amazon, but I am not sure about electronics…
Hi Michael. This is what I’ve been looking for. I saw one demonstrated on a StomperNet free video, but they just showed the camera and how to use it, not how video taken with it actually looked and sounded.
This helps my buying decision quite a lot.
Thanks,
Sherri