PROS:* Inexpensive.
* Conveniently small size (fits in a shirt pocket).
* Easy to use.
* Easy to just drag movie clip files straight over to hard drive (they are stored in the DCIM folder sequentially).
* Movie files in the AVI format (but see Con comment about codec below).
* Easy enough to delete clips you don't want to keep.
* Play straight to TV.
* Seems durable though no protection for lens or playback screen.
* Uses ordinary AA batteries.
CONS:
* Menu buttons a little hard to press (zoom & volume control)
* USB connector arm bad idea. Should have just been a USB socket. Never matches up with the USB socket on any computer or laptop so you have to get an extension cable anyway which can be difficult to connect without breaking the arm off.
* Uses DivX codec (technically 3ivx, Wiki the difference if you really want to know) which means having to install one of a variety of 3rd party plug-ins. Would have been nice if they could have used H.264 but using 3ivx probably helps keep the cost down by using a less powerful chip.
* Included software was a hack job, UI is terrible.
* Silly proprietary interface at the top to burn contents to DVD at participating stores. Just a way for water to get in, should have been a memory card slot.
* Included carrying bag just gets lint all over it don't use it.
* Sound playback level is lost once the unit turns off which means having to turn the sound down every time you turn it on.
CONCLUSION:
If you really want to record some video to edit on your computer but don't want to shell out hundreds for a digital video camera, this is a worthy alternative. Go ahead and get the 1 GB version (1 hour) since there is no memory card slot or upgrade path. After installing a DivX plugin on your computer, you should have no problem editing the clips in your favorite movie editing program like iMovie. I had to install a plugin on both my Intel MacBookPro and Dell 8600 Windows XP (SP2).
Accept that you are going to have to purchase a short USB extension cable unless your USB ports are on the side and the extension arm lines-up perfectly (i.e. the computer doesn't put any weight on the arm). Even a short 3 ft cable like Cables To Go 19003 3-Feet USB A/A Extension Cable will do. The kind you need is a USB A socket on one end and USB A plug on the other (if you can connect the cable ends to themselves and make a hoop you probably have the correct one).
This is a great first try but there is lots of room for improvement like replacing the connector arm with a USB socket, ditching the DVD burning interface for a memory card slot and making the menu UI buttons easier to push.
1. It couldn't be easier to take videos. You insert the batteries and press a button and you're filming.
2. You connect it to the computer by plugging it into the USB port. Software downloads to your computer, all very smoothly. The connection to the USB port is problematic. A USB connector pops out of the side of the camera, which is very elegant but doesn't work well in practice. I had to unplug another device to fit it into the available slot next door. It's kind of like having one of those big plugs taking up so much room on a power strip. I've already ordered an extension for it.
3. The editing software is very basic. This is to be expected. This is supposed to be a quick, point-and-shoot device that takes basic video that can quickly be shared on the web. Which is a great idea. But here's the thing: you can edit a video from either end, ending it earlier or starting it later. But you can't crop out a part in the center. Is that insane? Now, you can make copies of a movie and then take the beginning part of one and the ending part of another. It's inelegant but possible, right? And there is a "movie-making" feature that allows you to mesh these two movies together...except that you can only save the product if you're in Windows. With Mac you can't save it, so it's useless for posting the amalgam on the web. As far as I can see, at least.
4. Quality seems okay for the purpose. Looks good on my computer, at least.
So in short if you're going to take very short videos that you don't intend to edit and post them on YouTube, this works well. Though I have to say, it isn't super speedy. While I've been writing this my computer has been processinga three-minute video for posting online, and it's only gotten through about 5% of it so far.
Buy Flip Video Camcorder: 30-Minutes (White) Now
If using and enjoying this little gem were any easier, well, someone else would be operating it for you! Superlative "User friendly" camcorder.With no pretense of being an SVGA professional camcorder, the Flip Video is built for immediate out-of-the-box FUN! The videos looks great via Windows XP Media Player and I had to smile as I enjoyed watching it play on my TV.
The sound is remarable when you consider the built-in mic's size!
I love it! I will enjoy it! I will also enjoy getting a couple for my siblings (GREAT gift idea!)
PS: I found it to be very "battery-friendly" as well! That, alone, is worth the cost!
Read Best Reviews of Flip Video Camcorder: 30-Minutes (White) Here
This is a great device. Unless you are a professional it has all you will ever need in a video camera. It is a simple point and shot with a zoom that is adequate for most tasks. The ability to just flip out the USB on the side and load the clips directly onto the computer makes life so much easier.What wasn't clear when I bought it was that the video is stored in a series of clips. This allows you to flip through them and delete the ones that you don't want. I really like this ability.
The camera is small and compact. I find that I have it with me more often because it fits into my pants pocket. Try that with a regular video camera.
Overall this camera is awesome. It's inexpensive so you don't worry about the kids making their own videos, it small so you carry it more often and it takes great pictures. I loved it so much I bought a second.
Want Flip Video Camcorder: 30-Minutes (White) Discount?
If you're still thinking about getting a video camera for home movies or amateur filmmaking, and are still confused about the various formats, and concerned about the cost, here's a simple solution. It's simple to use, rugged, and so cheap that it's almost (but not quite) disposable. It even loads its software for you on your home computer. Shoot some scenes, plug it in to the computer, and a few minutes later you're editing and overdubbing.This little camera may not have the highest resolution around, but for viewing on the average computer displayor even a moderate-sized TVit's perfectly satisfactory. For web-based movies, it's more than good enough. And it's small enough and cheap enough to take with you everywhere.
I bought mine at Costco (at a significant discount) on impulse, and since then I've never been without it. It travels in my short pocket, on my bicycle handlebar bag, in a pocket in a larger camera bag, even in the case I keep my iPpod in. And when you do have it with you at all times, it's surprising how often you find yourself reaching for it.
A half-hour doesn't seem like a lot, but if you were raised on 3-minute rolls of 8mm film, well, it's 10 rolls of filmmore than enough for a vacation trip. And if you have your laptop nearby, you can download the contents, and start fresh again.
Best of all, at the price you can hand these out to film-minded kids for their own projects without worrying about them damaging the family's expensive video camera. A friend bought one for her 10 year old daughter after seeing how much fun she had playing with mine. And given the ruggedness and low cost, I didn't mind letting a child play with it, either.
As others have noted, the flip-out USB connector is clever but ungainly. It works well with laptops, but is difficult to insert in some desktop front panels, and puts too much load on USB connectors in some positions. The solution is simple, of courseget a USB extension cable.
In summary, a handy and fun toy at a very reasonable price.
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