Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL

Product Details

Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL From Flip Video List Price: $229.00 Price: $199.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details http://astore.amazon.com/httpastore.amazon.comdigitalcamera08a01-20/detail/B0040702I4 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Ships from and sold by Amazon.com 12 new or used available from $182.99 Average customer review:

Product Description

The new Flip MinoHD combines signature Flip Video quality with improved technology to offer HD video that is better than ever. MinoHD features incredible 720p resolution, now with 60 frames per second, and built-in image stabilization to produce incredibly clear and steady HD video. The new MinoHD has a simple user interface and a super-slim, pocket-sized design. Easy-to-use pre-loaded FlipShare software lets you organize, edit and share your videos to your own private Flip Channels or directly to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #74 in Camera & Photo
• Size: 8 GB
• Color: Black
• Brand: Flip Video
• Model: M31120B
• Dimensions: 3.90" h x .70" w x 2.00" l, .35 pounds

Features

• Carry it anywhere with its sleek and slim design that fits in any pocket or purse
• Shoot up to 2 hours of stunning HD video (720p / 60fps) on 8 GB of built-in memory; no additional memory needed
• Keep your video steady on the go with MinoHD's newest feature, image stabilization
• Connect the flip-out USB arm directly into your PC or Mac to launch pre-loaded FlipShare software
• Organize, create and share your videos with FlipShare software

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Editorial Reviews

From the Manufacturer

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Flip MinoHD (2 Hour) Overview

• Shoot up to two hours of best-ever HD video—now with image stabilization for incredibly clear and steady video
• Carry it anywhere with its sleek and slim design that fits in any pocket or purse
• Comes with 8 GB of built-in memory, letting you capture 2 hours of HD video; no additional memory required
• Power on, press record and start recording—it's that simple
• Watch your videos on the large, 2" anti-glare color display
• Connect the flip-out USB arm directly into your PC or Mac® to launch pre-loaded FlipShare™ software
• Use FlipShare software to organize and edit your videos, capture photos, send video greeting cards and create custom movies
• Share videos privately using FlipShare's attachment-free email or by creating Flip Channels; post publicly with direct video shares to Facebook™, YouTube™ and Twitter™ 
• Charge the internal Lithium-ion battery through the built-in USB arm; also recharges quickly when connected to Flip Video Power Adapter [sold separately] 
• Watch your videos on your HDTV through the Flip Video HDMI™ Mini Cable (type C) [sold separately]
• Features a flat-back panel with touch-sensitive, backlit buttons
• Records high-quality H.264 videos that are compatible with most video-playing applications, including Windows Media Player, QuickTime Player and iTunes
• Video: 16:9 widescreen, HD 720p (1280 x 720) at 60 frames per seconds (fps) progressive scan; recorded as MP4 files
• Included in package: Flip MinoHD video camera, wrist strap, soft protective case, user guide

Flip MinoHD Highlights

Best-Ever HD Video
The all-new Flip MinoHD combines signature Flip simplicity with enhanced video technology for best-ever HD video. The new MinoHD features built-in image stabilization and incredible 720p resolution, now with double the frame rate (60 frames per second), for HD video that is remarkably clear and steady. MinoHD thrives in all types of lighting environments, meaning your video will look stunning no matter the condition. Premier AAC audio makes your video sound simply amazing, too.

   
HD Video Redefined. Image Stabilization helps provide better HD video quality.

Sleek, Pocket-Sized Design
Super-sleek MinoHD features a matte front and soft, rounded edges. Its pocket-sized design means you can take your MinoHD with you everywhere you go. Whether you're enjoying an adventurous vacation, hitting the town with friends, or just taking it easy at home, your MinoHD will let you capture all the action.
Easy to Use
Like all Flip video cameras, the new MinoHD is incredibly easy to use. Power on, press record and start capturing high-quality HD video within seconds. It's really that simple. Included HDMI output lets you watch your crisp, vibrant HD videos directly on your HDTV. When you're ready to share your video, flip out the signature USB arm and connect MinoHD to your PC or Mac to launch pre-loaded FlipShare software.

Pre-Loaded FlipShare Software—Now with Direct Upload to Twitter

MinoHD comes pre-loaded with FlipShare software, which makes it easy to organize, create and share your videos:

• Organize your videos by dragging and dropping into folders you've created, or use the automatic date-stamped folders
• Edit and trim your favorite videos clips or even add your own music, all using FlipShare's easy editing tools
• Create video greeting cards or use the Magic Movie feature to make movies with the click of a button
• Capture photos using the easy Snapshot feature. You can grab a still-image photo from any of the 60 frames that comprise each second of your video
• Share privately using FlipShare's attachment-free email. Or create private Flip Channels, the easiest way to share videos and photos with groups of friends and family
• Post online by sharing directly to Facebook™, Twitter™ and YouTube™

Recommended Accessories:

Flip Video Power Adapter This compact adapter's USB port connects to your Flip camcoder’s USB arm.

FlipShare TV FlipShare TV offers the ultimate home movie experience by making it easy to watch your entire Flip Video library wirelessly on your TV or HDTV.

Flip Video HDMI Cables Watch HD video shot with your MinoHD 2nd Gen or Flip UltraHD camcorder directly on your HDTV.

Flip Video Tripod The tripod screws into your Flip, and flexible legs let you take steady video almost anywhere.

Flip Video USB Cables Connect your Flip camcorder to any computer, even those with hard-to-reach USB ports.

Flip Video Action Tripod Unfold tripod legs and for stready video or use attachable straps to record action-packed video.

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Customer Reviews

Not the "upgrade" I was hoping for
FLIP video has done a great deal to prove to me as a repeat customer that they heavily weigh simplicity and ease of use when designing their products. My family owns two FLIP camcorders and it is clear to me that the previous version:

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

is a much better value for the money as I do not believe the minor updates on this "new" model warrant a $70 plus price increase (a nearly 50% premium!!!!)

The new generation has maintained the small size and easy use of the second generation. They have added a new sensors and image stabilization to 720p video at 60fps. (Second gen-720p 30fps)

I bought the 2nd generation flip minoHD (ASIN: B002R5AM7C) as a present for myself and my family to use for many different applications. The kids have used it for making YouTube videos with their friends. We have used it to record Birthdays, Christmas and many other random filmable occasions all with great results. It has become a favorite of all of the members of my family and me.

My son recently moved away to college and I decided to give the second generation family minoHD to him for school. Conveniently for our Flip-Lacking family, the new 3rd generation minoHD just came out so I ordered it to replace the second generation.

I would be kidding myself if I did not acknowledge that the new features do add some recording benefits but the basis of this review is that my family and I have decided that these improvements just ARE NOT worth the extra $70.

The recording quality is still 720p; the fps increase is hardly noticed. I would feel much better about the price increase if 1080p recording had been incorporated but with the newest round of cell phones producing HD video now, FLIP needs to give us more upgrade for the money.

For now, IMO, the 2nd generation Flip minoHD is a much better value.



A Simple Pocket Camcorder Which May Appeal to Some
This Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL is well-constructed and takes decent video and sound. It was offered to me by Amazon Vine and I wanted to obtain it to see why it has been stated that Flip Video 'rules' the pocket camcorder field.

Unfortunately I am very disappointed with this model for the following reasons:

1. It offers only one level of picture quality: 720P [1280 x 720 60fps H.264/AVC with an MP4 file extension]; while this is good, the files obtained are quite large - I took just 143 seconds of video and the total file size is 169.9 MB. A person could convert this to something smaller if desired but that is, at the very least, time-consuming and I think that many persons for whom this camcorder is intended might be intimidated by the necessity of doing this. A choice should be offered as it is on other similarly-priced pocket camcorders.

2. It does not take still pictures. If you have a Microsoft Windows or Mac-equipped computer, you can extract stills from your videos using the free included software - but, again, this is an extra and time-consuming step and may also be intimidating for some.

3. Its USB connector is very badly designed; unless you have one laying about, you MUST purchase an AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (9.8 Feet / 3.0 Meters) or similar. If you attach the camcorder directly to your computer, you will find that the weight of the camcorder puts an inordinate strain on the USB port as well as the USB connector on the camcorder.

4. I appreciate that the camcorder comes with a cloth bag as standard but this bag offers no real protection to the camcorder nor any means of attaching it to a belt or other connection point. The bag could have been much better designed and I'm sure that many, if not most, people will want to buy an after-market case.

---> The following is the most important design defect, in my opinion, and would be a 'deal-breaker' for me:

5. This camcorder uses a built-in rechargeable battery instead of a user-replaceable one. Not only that, its battery life appears to be somewhat short and the camcorder CANNOT be operated when connected to either AC or a USB port (these can be used only for recharging the battery).

I did not know that it came with such a battery prior to ordering it and, had I known, I would NEVER have ordered it!

What does this mean to the user? It means that, if you want to take video for an extended period of time and your battery goes flat, you will have to wait while you recharge it, possibly missing some situations you would have liked to capture.

In addition, these built-in rechargeable batteries have a finite and relatively short service life, generally about three or four years. After that, you will either have to send the camcorder back to the manufacturer (at a high cost including shipping) for battery replacement or, more likely, you will just discard it.

In other words, after only a few years, you will probably have just an expensive paperweight.

If this were some twenty-dollar 'wonder' the defects I list above might be acceptable (even the short battery life in use; at twenty dollars you could afford to buy two, using one while the other is recharging).

But this camcorder costs TEN TIMES that! And at that price it does not offer good value for money, again in my opinion.

So for whom is this camcorder intended? It may be fine for someone's great-grandmother (no offense intended) or for someone who is completely technophobic. A wealthy person could buy one for a small child as a first camcorder. After all, as I stated, it does produce decent video and sound (stereo, by the way).

But at its price it faces formidable competition, two of which I own (both courtesy of Amazon Vine): the Creative Labs Vado HD Pocket Video Camcorder 3rd Generation,120 Minutes (Black) - NEWEST MODEL and the Kodak PlaySport (Zx3) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera (Black) NEWEST MODEL. both of which I consider to be five-star products.

Neither of those two have any of the functional shortcomings of the Flip MinoHD; they both feature relatively inexpensive user-replaceable batteries (I have bought spares for both) and you can buy an external charger for them. Thus you can recharge one battery while using the camcorder with the other. (If you are interested in further details about either or both of these two, I refer you to my and others' reviews on Amazon's product detail pages.)

In addition they offer the user a choice of multiple levels of video quality (three levels in the case of the Creative, four with the Kodak). Plus both can take still pictures. And the Creative's low-light performance is exemplary, mostly due, I think, to its very fast f2.0 lens.

The Flip does not use a media card; it holds about two hours of video. The Creative also does not use a media card; via its three quality options, it holds from one to four hours of video (at the Flip's quality level, the Creative also holds about two hours - but with HALF the file size!). The Kodak does use a media card and it is an absolutely necessary option; at the same video quality level as the Flip, a 16 GB SD card holds over four hours and twenty minutes of video. Transferring the video to a computer is easy with all of them; some may find removing an SD card and inserting it into your computer's card reader to be somewhat more convenient than needing to physically attach the entire unit to a USB port, but that's a matter of personal preference and would not affect my own choice in any way (though the necessity of buying an SD card is indeed an extra expense).

At the same level of video quality, the images produced by all three are similar. But, if you wish, you can take full 1080P video with the Kodak. And you can take VGA-format [640 x 480] video with the Creative (this size is appropriate for placing videos on YouTube).

While this Flip Video camcorder has an image stabilization circuit, it appears to do little; the images produced by all three, when taken at the same quality level the Flip offers, are practically the same (except under those low-light situations where the Creative REALLY shines; if low-light performance is important to you, I believe that the Creative Vado is the best one to buy).

You will see a number of videos taken with the Flip MinoHD contained in reviews here; I do not say that this camcorder cannot produce fine videos - it certainly can, but it won't do so for long! Once the battery goes, goodbye Flip! (In the reviews for the other two camcorders you can also see some of their video examples and you will see that there are no real differences in overall picture quality.)

I do like the fact that the controls light up on the Flip when the camcorder is in use - but I wish there were some way to turn off the lights when they're not necessary; they do drain the battery unnecessarily. They would be helpful only at night or in a dark room.

All in all, I find the Flip MinoHD to be an unsatisfactory product, at least for me. In order to make it 'easy to use,' Cisco (Flip) has left off too many features. Since the other two cost no more (when tricked out with recommended accessories), I suggest that anyone interested in such a pocket camcorder investigate them. While I have purchased many accessories for the Creative and the Kodak (thus bringing their overall price to the same level as the Flip MinoHD with no accessories), I have no intentions of buying anything extra for this Flip as it will become useless in just a few years. (Of course, as I own it and did not pay for it, I'll use it from time to time until it does 'die' completely.)

In conclusion I am sorry to say that I CANNOT give this Flip camcorder my recommendation. I wish it were otherwise.

Thank you for reading my opinions and I hope they have been of some interest to you.
Simple To Use
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3LLPJ55NU9GK8 Flip MinoHD Video Camera - Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL

The presentation after opening the outer box is really nice and certainly makes for a great gift!
We didn't even have to read the directions. My 13 year old just started using it right away. The set up (time and date, etc) was a breeze. I love the fact that it had a charge right out of the box and is immediately ready to use. No media card needed.
We played around with it for quite awhile and the video here shows the quality and zoom.
The size is so convenient and easy to hold, it fits in the palm of your hand. All you have to do is turn it on and click the red button to start recording. Even though the screen is small (approx less than 2 inches) it has a quality display to see what you are taping. The sound quality is excellent as well.
You can zoom with this but I don't know by how much. It didn't seem like a lot to me. I show that on the video attached here.

Also, every time that you plug in the camera it automatically turns itself on and charges.
As far as the software goes, it allows you to make a movie and edit it by adding a title, credits and music. You can add more effects with Windows Movie Maker. You also use the software to share videos by emailing them or putting them online.We emailed a 48 second video and it took 6 minutes to send using the Flip software. There is also an option for making greeting cards. You can select holidays, birthdays, new baby, love and friendship, travel, etc The video is placed in the greeting card and then you can share it. All this is done with a couple of clicks.
I absolutely love this flip video camera. It is simple to use and makes sharing videos super easy. I think the quality of the video is better than some regular cameras and definitely better than my cell phone.
If you go to their website you can purchase the Flip and customize your flip's look. I love the idea that you can customize it with your own picture. If you have any questions feel free to comment and I will answer them as best as I can.