Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 121-125 of 126
 A very sweet little camcorder May 23, 2009
Federico (Fred) Moramarco (San Diego,, CA USA)
2 out of 7 found this review helpful
Here's a very handy little camcorder you can carry in your shirt pocket. It's about the size of king size package of cigarettes and takes surprisingly good video. The Ultra gives you two hours of recording time and is perfect for on the spot videos of breaking news wherever you see it happen. If this little gizmo catches on, police departments throughout the land better be careful of their nightstick activity. Of course it's also great for watching your kids or grandkids grow up and I'm sure it's already one of the primary creators of You Tube videos. Of course it doesn't have the versatility of a full featured camcorder. The zoom range is limited and a bit awkward to operate. It doesn't take still pics at all, but it looks more like a regular camera than a camcorder, so you can make a video and people will think you're just taking a picture. Hmm, lots of mischief possibilities there.Flip Ultra Series Camcorder, 60-Minutes (Black)
 Great Portable Video Camera May 18, 2009
cjw333 (San Jose, CA United States)
19 out of 23 found this review helpful
I've owned a few video cameras over the years but none of them have gotten much use mainly due to the size of the camera. In my opinion it's not always practical to haul those things around. When they do get used, the video that I take tends to sit on those little tapes never to be seen again. It's just too much of a hassle to move the content from tape to digital so I can edit and finally watch what I've recorded.
Enter the Flip - with a size that fits easily in the hand (about the size of an iPod but narrower and a bit thicker) this device is also easily stuffed in a bag so you have it everywhere you go. For me this accessibility makes it much more practical compared to a traditional video camera.
Another big selling point for me is the simplicity. It's easy enough to use that I think even my parents could operate it with little instruction. It starts up in a flash and is instantly ready to record (from off to record in about 5 sec). The big red button records and stops recording. That's all you really need to know. Of course there are zoom and playback options that take the Flip beyond simple recording.
Although the Flip works well in low light, it's best that you film in daylight or a well lit room. I did a test shot at night in a dimly lit room and the video was watchable but a bit grainy. Filming outside during the day resulted in crisp, clear video. If you're looking to do a lot of recording in low light the HD version might be a better choice for you.
I also like the fact that I can watch my recordings right on the device itself. The built in screen is good enough for a few people to gather around for a quick view of what was just recorded. It has built in audio as well. If you want to show off your video to a larger crowd you can use the audio/video out on the side of your Fip to plug directly into a TV with a composite input (HD version has and HDMI output).
Getting the video from your Flip to your computer couldn't be easier. You basically flip out the little USB arm and plug your camera directly into your computer. When plugged in the flip will show up as a hard drive so if for some reason you don't want to install the software you can just drag and drop video files just as you might do from a thumb drive or other external drive. The software, however, gives you a nice interface for managing your videos on your Flip as well as those that you've moved to your computer. In addition to simplified file management the software gives your an easy way to edit videos, take snapshots and make your own movies by joining together multiple files.
I'm very excited to use my Flip for an upcoming vacation. The small size will fit easily into my day bag and with 2 hours of recording time I should have plenty of room to store a day's worth of video. I also like the fact that the Flip takes AA batteries (regular or rechargeable) so if I run out of juice while I'm out I should be able to find replacements easily. Finally since it's so easy to transfer the video to my computer I might actually end up watching these videos for a change.
Capture and Playback at Will, Easily... May 12, 2009
Natarajan Krishnamurthy
83 out of 88 found this review helpful
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???
Flip Ultra May 11, 2009
Tyler H. Hubbs (San Jose, CA)
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
This latest version is a huge improvement over the old Ultra which I have enjoyed using for the past 2 years. The size is the same, but the ergonomics have improved along with the increased lcd screen and storage capacity of 120 minutes. This is a MUST HAVE for all parents who want something ultra small and durable to capture those special moments. I highly recommend the upgrade to HD.
Good things come in small packages May 11, 2009
Jennifer L. Bond (Wheat Ridge, CO United States)
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
I love my pink Flip. I confess the zoom isn't spectacular, and that is why I have given it four stars other than five. Otherwise it is a great product. It is easy to use straight from the box. The screen is clearn and the buttons are simple to find and use (even if you don't read the owner's manual right away.) It is tiny and perfect to carry in your backpack, purse or glovebox. Since it is so tiny and fits easily in my purse I have had mine on hand to catch several moments that happened quite by suprise and I would have missed otherwise.
Showing reviews 121-125 of 126
|
