Click Here For Reviews of the NEW 3rd Generation Models Flip Ultra HD and Flip Mino HD

Important: Read This before you buy your Flip Video Camcorder

The Digital Video Camera market has boomed in recent years and the recent release of the Flip Video Camera Series has come just at the right time and at an incredibly affordable price.

The Flip Camera is like having a flash card except it is a video recorder for your pocket! The video clips are stored on the cameras Hard Drive until you decide to plug it into your computer or view your fliming on the TV.

The camera is pretty small and will fit into your hand and most importantly slip into your pocket. In years to come it will probably slim down quite a bit, but this ever increasingly popular video camcorder is, like the first generation ipods, something special. The  handy USB flips out from the side to plug easily into your PC or Mac and saves the video clips as avi files.

Let’s take a look at the models and accessories available:

Check out the Flip Ultra

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Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder 2nd generation (120mins)

The Flip Video Ultra Series is a very portable device measuring around 6.2 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches and just over an inch thick. Offically this video will record 120 minutes of video, but if you limit the movements in your recording you will get a lot more.

This Flip Ultra Camcorder captures 120 minutes of full-VGA-quality video on 4GB of built-in memory. Full VGA at 30 frames per second (fps) progressive scan; recorded as MP4 files which is surprisingly good for the size and cost. The exposure capability is also good, reacting well in different environments including bright outdoors and darker scenerios indoors and at night!

At the back of the Flip camera, you will find a Large 2-inch color LCD screen to play back and delete videos.

The sound quality is good, but not great so you'll have to get closer to your target to capture decent sound but Premier AAC audio compression has improved from the first generation models for a crisper sound.

When you connect the Flip Ultra to a Windows PC or Mac, you get the choice to either use the supplied software or just copy the files from the device, as it will appear just like a regular flash card on your computer. The supplied software will allow you to edit, sort and save your movies.

Pros:

• It uses two AA batteries that are easy to install. There's a latch at the bottom of the camera - one side has a picture of a closed lock, and the other has a picture of an open lock. Also supported by rechargeable Flip Video Battery Pack
• Turning it so that the side with the big red button is facing you, the on/off switch is on the right side of the camera. After powering up, the screen will light up with the Flip logo and then it will indicate that it's ready.
• Playback and deleting unwanted clips is a one button operation
• Filming on the Flip Ultra Camera is easy - you just press the red button to start recording, and press it again to stop. The camera will save your creation, tell you how long it is and how much time you have left. You can zoom in and out by pressing the + and - signs on top of and below the red button. The microphone will pick up and record whatever's audio is happening as you film.
• No need for cords, cables, CDs or instructions. A simple solution!

Cons:

• It uses two AA batteries that are easy to install. There's a latch at the bottom of the camera - one side has a picture of a closed lock, and the other has a picture of an open lock. Here's hoping for an ipod style power up in the future though.
• Zooming in and out will have blurry results.
• You'll need the tripod if you have shaky hands

Check out the Mino

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Flip Video Mino Series Camcorder

The Flip Mino Camcorder is a sleeker and smaller version than its predecessor with 2GB of memory, a similar 1.5” screen, a digital zone and many other features.

The Mino records well in a variety of light settings and has a 2x digital zoom that, although not true optical, is to be expected given its size. There is a scratch resistant covering on the lens, an on/off switch on the side that is difficult to trip accidentally and a centrally located record button that has enough resistance to avoid unintentionally starting/stopping recording.

The biggest step forward has to be the rechargeable built-in battery which enables you to recharge the Mino just like an ipod. This may or may not be an advantage depending on your point of view. The good thing about the AA Batteries is you can have power straight away without the wait, but then you have to shell out for batteries all the time :-) - your call.

Pros:

• Scratch resistant covering on the lens
• Replaceable built-in lithium ion battery
• 2GB of memory
• Lighted touch sensitive buttons guide you through steps
• Better mic and directly supports Macs

Cons:

• Mac installation not as slick as Windows
• Users who want to use a dedicated microphone are not provided with a jack

Overall the Mino has the edge out of the whole series and is probably the one you want to go for if you're debating which one to get.

FlipCameraReview.com is a resource containing details, reviews and price comparison information for the Flip Video Series of Camcorders. Please note we are not associated with Pure Digital Technologies, Inc. and that we acknowledge that products, company names and logos mentioned on this site are trademarks of their respected owners.

Conclusion

Well it is a tough one. If you like the idea of an ipod style battery over normal AA batteries the Mino wins hands down..it also wins on the zoom lens, as well as that scratch resistance on it. We still love the ultra flip camera but the Mino is moving things along to a sleeker, more refined product.