Camcorder Review: Flip Video MinoHD

A handy way to capture videos


Camcorder Review: Flip Video MinoHD

by Hedirman Supian
05:55 AM Dec 31, 2010

TWENTY extra frames. That's the gist of the latest iteration of Cisco's Flip MinoHD video camcorder. It now comes in two models with slight differences in storage capacities and looks.

The 8GB ($349) model that lets you capture two hours of video sports a black brushed metal back, while the 4GB ($279) version comes with a silver metal back and can capture one hour of footage.

The touch-sensitive buttons and 2-inch LCD screen of the predecessor have been left intact. Note that the storage and battery are non-removable. If you run out of juice frequently, you might want to fork out extra for the chunkier Flip Video UltraHD ($359), which comes with 8GB of storage and gives you the option of using AAA batteries.

High-definition (HD) video is captured at 720p resolution, at 50 frames per second. That's 20 frames more than its predecessor, which was launched here in July. Image stabilisation is a welcome inclusion as well, with all the shaky recording that tends to occur with handheld camcorders. In use, the quality of the video is perceptibly smoother and the quality remains decent even in low-light conditions. And it's easy to start recording - just switch it on and click the big, red button (you can't miss it). Plus, it fits conveniently in your pocket.

There's 2x digital zoom built in, but I barely made use of it because it could lower the quality of the footage. The camcorder's fixed focus made it easy to frame shots - you really just need to point and shoot.

Flipshare, the video management and editing software bundled with the Flip, makes sharing and editing a cinch. When you plug the Flip into a Mac or Windows PC, you will be prompted to launch and install the software. The installer is stored on the device, so you can plug it into any computer. The software helps you to load and edit the videos on your Flip to the computer. Too tedious? It can also stitch videos up automatically.

Flipshare makes sharing easy via email, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or through something called an online video channel. This is supposedly a more private way to share videos, as you can share content with a specific group of people. There are apps you can download to enable your iPhone, BlackBerry or Android phone to access the video channel.

The Flip does its job decently. But it has to compete with the many smartphones on the market that let you capture and upload HD video online via WiFi or 3G. With the Flip, which comes in a slightly chunkier size and provides pretty much similar video quality, you will still need to lug it back to your computer and plug it in. I think I'll just wait for a WiFi-enabled Flip

Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Brushed Metal, 8 GB, 2 Hours (2nd Generation)

Source: www.todayonline.com