Flip UltraHD Camcorder 120 Minutes Black
The Flip UltraHD Camcorder combines Flip Video’s signature shoot-and-share simplicity with the power of vivid, vibrant HD video. Power on and press record to start capturing incredible HD video in seconds. When its time to share your video, use the flip-out USB arm to connect to any PC or Mac and launch built-in FlipShare editing and video-sharing software. Built-in FlipShare software lets you easily email videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, capture still photos from video, and even upload video to sharing sites likeYouTube and MySpace
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Great video for the price, excellent design
You can’t beat the quality for the price, and it’s utterly simple to use for shooting video and uploading to the computer.
5 Stars This thing is great.
I think that this is one of the greatest things that I have ever bought. It is so easy to use. To move the pics or videos to the computer is so easy.
5 Stars great little camcorder
i haven’t had this camera very long or used it that much yet but i’m impressed so far with its ease of use and a decent quality picture…i’m ready for my close-up!
5 Stars The camcorder SHOWDOWN: I’ve done the product comparisons for you
If I’m going to spend more than a hundred bucks on an item or somewhere around there, I do extensive research first to know I got the best bang-for-the-buck and, consequently, dodge any potential future buyer’s remorse.
I’ve realized that the time I spend doing my product comparisons is often time that others don’t have so I may as well share what I can.
I’ll start by saying that you’ll see my “Verified Amazon Purchase” on the Flip HD Ultra Camcorder review because, obviously, that’s the one I wound up buying and I’ll share with you why. But what I like in a camcorder may not suit your own needs so I’ll break it down and let you decide what’s best for you via what I found out:
Here are the pocket camcorders I compared:
Flip UltraHD (will be referred to as “F”)
Flip Mino HD 2nd generation (Will be referred to as “M”)
Creative Labs Vado HD 8 GB 2nd generation (Will be referred to as “CL”)
Kodak Zi6 Pocket HD (Will be referred to as “K”)
Why HD cameras only? Brighter colors and better images, wider images
HD SHOOTING TIME:
F: 120 minutes.
M: 120 minutes
CL:120 minutes
K: 25 minutes with batteries they included, 120 minutes if you buy an SD card
MEMORY:
F: 8 GB
M:8 GB
CL: 8 GB
K: internally only 30 MB recording space but it has 32 GB expandable SD/SDHC card slot. Because it comes with such small recording space you really need to buy an SD or SDHC card to maximize its potential, but the potential is really good and this will increase your ability to shoot longer.
RESOLUTION:
All 720p which is excellent, just one step below the top 1080p format.
SOUND:
F:Premier AAC audio. Best sound quality but still not great in winds
M:Premier AAC audio. Best sound quality but still not great in winds.
CL:Poor sound quality; had issues with sound and picture not being in sync.
K:Poor sound quality
ZOOM:
F: 2x
M:2x
CL:2x
K: poor quality zoom on the one I tried but I still think it’s 2x. It has a great macro focus for very close-up objects if, for example, you see a bumble bee and want to shoot it on a leaf a few inches away! Kinda cool.
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
F: 6.2 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches ; 11.2 ounces
M: 2 x 0.7 x 3.9 inches ; 1 pound
CL: 3.3 x 7.9 x 6.3 inches ; 11.2 ounces
K: 4x 5x 2.5″ 2.4 lbs
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
F: USB cable pops out of the back so you don’t need to keep up with a separate cable. Comes with Flip Video rechargeable AA battery pack (recharges when connected to USB); also supported by standard AA batteries. Note: Some sets come with the HDMi mini included and others come with the rechargeable battery pack on Amazon. Looks like one or the other but of course if you need both you can buy the other.
M: USB cable pops out of the back on this one as well. Has child safe button to prevent accidental deletion of videos. Internal lithium ion battery recharges through built-in USB arm
CL: USB cable in camera. Included in box are HDMI cable, USB extension cable, silicon skin & rechargeable battery.
K: Included in box are HD and AV cables and wrist strap and rechargeable batteries and battery charger. Has built in USB arm.
SPEED:
F: 30 frames per second.
M: 30 frames per second
CL: 30 frames per second
K: choice of 30 frames per second or 60 frames per second.
VIEWING SCREEN: All 2″ except the Kodak was the largest at 2.4″
IMPORTANT NOTES:
F: Best low-light performance for the mini cameras (though not perfect at all) and least amount of blurring and dropped frames in my opinion. You can get an underwater case for this one! Though that may sound crazy for a Texan, we use the camera non-stop on vacations and even when we aren’t IN the water, we are around the water…on boats, in the sand with sea mist, etc. Then we can dive in and record the fish. Comes preloaded with flipshare software…just plug in to computer and it pops up.
M: Colors don’t appear as good on the Mino as the other cameras. Thinnest camera. Make sure you get the one that only comes in the color aluminum or brushed metal. If it comes in any other colors it is the 1st generation MinoHD and they improved upon that one in the newer models. Great audio. Better shooting in low light than most mini cameras. Camera comes preloaded with FlipShare software. Can get still images through flipshare software.
CL: Decent filming in low light. Software is preloaded in camcorder.
K: The only camera in my list without image stabilization which results in very shaky filming. The others have built-in image stabilization to help correct it. What appears to be metal in picture is actually a chrome colored plastic. That said, this had the largest viewing screen of all of them. 2.4″ Very poor in low light and seemed to have far more shaking and blurring due to lack of image stabilization. It also takes still pictures but they are really really poor quality…same as a lesser-quality cell phone pictures but good in a pinch if you want a still shot and have no cell or camera I s’pose. Heaviest for a pocket camera but that’s not good if you want to tote it in your purse daily or during travels. Software is not preloaded in camcorder but a cd comes with it.
And, finally, the reviews of the Flip from experts swayed me quite a bit:
Fast Company: “Flip Ultra HD is Pure Digital’s “Best Pocket Camcorder Yet.” 6-09
USA Today: “New Flip Ultra Video Cameras Might Flip Your Switch” 4-09
Business Week: How do you Invigorate a Recession? Look to i-phone, Flip, Kindle, and Zip Car For Answers
There were lootttts more I came across when researching the Flip Ultra HD but those are some of my favorites.
CONCLUSION: 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. It is the number one selling camcorder as well. So that was my personal decision-making process. However, keep in mind that if you need reading glasses none of that will matter if the 2″ screen is too small for your viewing the shots easily for playback in which case you may wish to get the Kodak if that’s important to you..
Also: No matter which one you get, you will probably want a mini tripod if you ever want to be in the shot yourself do don’t forget those.
Hope my obsessive comparing and contrasting for my own purchasing assistance helped you as well even if what you wanted in a camera was different from me. 
Also note: It’s confusing because when these manufacturers make changes in the camcorders, they do not change the names on the new versions, nor do they change the names if it’s an HD version or a non-HD version so be sure you look for the “HD” after the brand name and look for “2nd generation” or “newer version” on the Mino and Vado if you like one of those better so you don’t get the older models.
2 Stars Couldn’t Get It To Charge
I needed a video camera for a project I am working on. I looked at this and read the reviews and even though it has had problems I decided to take a chance. I have had the camera less than a week and I can not get it to charge. I tried charging the Ultra HD on the optional wall charger (approx 30 min.) and the light started blinking rapidly and the screen said “CHECK BATTERY PACK, CHARGING PAUSED” I took it out of the wall and let it sit for an hour. Then I started charging the unit again, but this time I attached to an extension cord and plugged it into my PC so I could see the screen. 30 minutes later the same thing happened again and I also got the message “ITS REALLY HOT”. I called CS for Flip and they emailed me the same responses that are on the support website. They are no help. So that is why I am returning it.
It does have some good points: Easy to use. Lightweight.Great price.
Bottom line: If you can’t charge it and get it to work, it is of no use.
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