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Flip UltraHD Camcorder by Flip Video – My Review

I bought a Samsung camera a little while back thinking it was the best digital camcorder for the price and for what I needed. I bought it to take photos with, but also to make videos for YouTube (as a new hobby). I didn’t want a big flash camcorder – my requirements were pretty basic I thought and so I bought my camera happy in the knowledge that I could take a basic video with it.

I wish now that I’d done my homework a little better to be honest. I’ve been looking at the Flip UltraHD Camcorder since it was recommended to me by someone that I spoke to at a seminar who makes lots of videos to share online and to be honest, I’m really impressed! I do believe that it’s the best digital camcorder for its price and for non professional use.

So I decided that I’d do a review – both for my benefit and for yours. You see, in my research for the review, I’ve learned a lot about this camera and the more I learn the more I want one. I’m pretty sure that you’ll agree once you've read this, that this flip mini camcorder is the best digital camcorder available for under $200.

Let’s get started.

What sort of features might we be looking for in an everyday, digital camcorder for personal use today?

• Size – The overall size of the camcorder and weight.
• Easy to use
• Recording time
• Video quality
• Sound quality
• Memory size
• Compatibility with different computers - PC’s and Macs
• Easy to use software
• Rechargeable batteries
• Good screen
• Ability to watch video on your TV

Let’s look at these one by one:

Size – This flip mini camcorder is small. In fact its pocket sized which is just great. That means you can pop it in your pocket or handbag and take it with you, without it being a hassle or being heavy! There’s nothing worse than having to lug a heavy camera around with you when you’re on holiday or going for a walk. The measurements are 1.2 x 2.2 x 4.2 inches and weight is 6.1 ounces

Easy to use – The Flip UltraHD Camcorder
is eeeeeeaasy to use! It has simple one touch recording and digital zoom. This means that all you do is turn the Flipcam on and press the record button – that’s it – you’re recording your first video! It really is point and shoot.

Recording Time – The Flip Ultra can record for up to 120 minutes, which is brilliant. That gives enough time for almost anything that you or I are going to want to do with this camera.

Most other similar priced cameras are only able to record 60 minutes or even less including the predecessor to the UltraHD – the Flip Mino series camcorder. The Flip Mino Series camcorder (from what I have read) only has 4GB of storage and 60 minutes recording time, whereas the Flip UltraHD camcorder has a full 8GB of storage and double the recording time at 120 minutes.

Video Quality – The HD in ‘UltraHD’ stands for High Definition. High definition in a camcorder means quality – quality video that is crisp and clear. These days we want and even expect images and video to be clear with good colour and sharp images and that is what high definition does for video.

Sound quality – This flip mini camcorder might be small, but it’s got the latest in technology including sound! It uses premier AAC audio for clear, stereo sound. What’s AAC? Good question. It stands for ‘Advanced Audio Coding’ and is a standardized compression and encoding scheme for audio that has been designed to be the successor of the MP3 and also provides better sound quality as well as having  several other advantages over the MP3.

Compatibility with different computers – The Flip video camera has a USB connection which flips out of the side of the camera (hence it’s name) and plugs into the USB port on your computer. It is compatible with both PC’s and Mac’s.

It comes pre- loaded with it’s own Flipshare software which launches as soon as it’s plugged in to a computer – either PC or Mac – allowing you to do any number of things with your videos quickly and easily. Which brings me to the…..

Easy to use software – As I just said, the Flipcam comes loaded with its Flipshare software installed. Plug it in to the USB port on your computer and the software will launch automatically.

Flipshare makes it simple to organize your movies, edit them and even create still images from single frames from your video.

It also makes it a breeze to create custom movies, add music and your own personal touches. Share them via email with friends and family, or share them with the whole world with simple publishing to Facebook, Myspace or Youtube.

Rechargeable batteries – The Flip UltraHD comes with a rechargeable battery pack and can be recharged by plugging in to a USB connection on your computer or a mains power recharge cord can be purchased separately and will recharge your camera in about 30 minutes. Normal AA batteries can also be used so if you do happen to run out of power while videoing and you have some AA batteries on hand, you will be able to finish your video!

Good Screen – The flipcam has a large 2-inch anti-glare color LCD screen to play back and delete videos.

Plug in to your TV and watch your videos – A mini HDMI connector makes it simple to plug in and watch your video on your TV!

What should you expect to pay for the Flip UltraHD Camcorder?

You could pay up to $200 for this camera depending on where you buy it. You really shouldn’t be paying any more than $160 and the cheapest I’ve found is on Amazon who so consistently have it priced for under $160.

What others are saying

This camcorder has been in the top 100 bestseller list on Amazon electronics for over 450 days at the time of writing this review and is currently number 1 on that list. I found that this camera generally gets rave reviews from those that own and use it and has been rated an average of 4 stars in over 900 reviews that are currently on Amazon by actual purchasers and users. Here are some of the comments to date:

• Clearest picture and sound was important to me, expert reviews that pointed to the Flip UltraHD as well and I liked the built in software and the case I can get to shoot underwater.
• The thing that really sold me on the Flip UltraHD is the ability to use AA batteries instead of the internal rechargeable battery!
• One weekend with the Flip UltraHD camcorder is all it took to convince me that this is one great little movie camera/still camera. I love it.
• I love this camera, and I've had mine for over a year now. It takes great video of live music in low light and pretty much everything else that I film with it.
• This camera is easy to use, budget friendly, small enough to fit in your pocket with decent picture and sound quality to capture those impromptu family/friend moments without having to lug a camera bag and larger video camera around.

There were a small number of reviews that weren’t satisfied with this camera, and they all seemed to have the same problem – the batteries wouldn’t charge properly. They were coming up with an error.

However, a couple of people said that they had fixed theirs by cutting back plastic on the battery pack that was partly covering the battery terminal. This could be the problem with the others perhaps – not sure.

In general feedback on this camera is extremely good.

Where can you buy the Flip UltraHD Camcorder?

The Flip UltraHD is currently available from Amazon for less than $150, which from what I can tell comparing prices with other online merchants is probably the lowest price available online and would definitely be the cheapest price when you take into account that this product is eligible for Amazon’s free shipping.

Where can you read more reviews for the Flip UltraHD?

The best place to read more reviews from people who actually own and use this flip mini camcorder is Amazon. Click here to read more
.