Flip Video Camcorder Tip: Get One

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I actually don’t have a Flip Video camera myself, butChris Pirillohas convinced me that I need to get one. Watch his video, you’ll want one too! Chris | Live Tech Support | Video Help | Add to iTunes For more information and recommended reading, check out his blog post:

all in one solutionto producing great video on the move. Described as a an idiot-proof camcorder by Claudine Beaumont from The Telegraph, it can shoot up to an hour of video, connects directly to your computer via USB (no cables required) and has all the software

Flip Video Camcorder Tip: Get One

lolz i have 1

nice tie and jacket man! awesome video too!

I have one (white/silver) and it truly is wonderful! I look forward to the ULTRA ultra, which (fingers crossed) will have expandable memory (for when you are on vacation and away from a computer), but an hour is really nice and much better than what my regular digital camera can do.

Quality is awesome!

Does it come with an extended USB wire, because thats a bit too short for some computers.

No i have one. you will have to buy one :(

Yeah the flip rocks.

I got myself an Aiptek 720p Camera (same price), it has removable storage (up to 32gb). If I would have seen this video at the time I bought the Aiptek, I probably would have bought the flip!

the flip video cam is the best gift on the planet, for geeks and non geeks alike … birthdays, christmas, weddings, you name it, flip is it!

Thanks Chris. I am diffidently gong to get one now. I wish that I had one of these kind of devices when the space shuttle broke up over my town in Texas. I saw parts of the space shuttle all over the ground. The state trooper was guarding it. That was very sad. Or the time there was a fire at my Wal-Mart. This camcorder would go easily in my pocket or glove box of my car and I can get it out and just start shooting with it. I think Creative just came out with their version of the flip called Vado. But, I have not seen any reviews of it anywhere. It is to new. Great video Chris.

Vado is $50 cheaper, came with removable AA rechargable batteries which can be charged thru USB port and have better light sensitivity.

In addition, both can be tripod mounted.

I already ordered one, I saw your video on YouTube of your dad playing with one and I looked it up after discovering what it can do and the price I ordered one right away,

I work the graveyard shift so I’m working right now but it should be arriving shortly after I get home this morning, cant wait to start playing with it.

buy me one plz i am poor and i have no money at all me want one

This is an awesome hardware I could use this for my animation. Recording references of myself or an interest event in SF. Thanks again!

what do you think about me im poor 2 lol

im in this vid too! im moogs!

Sounds like a great device. Does anyone know what file format the movies are in? Just curious because if I wanted to do basic editing, I liked to know what format the source files are in. I may get one of these.

if your poor why can you afford internet and have a computter?

Great Review, Chris. I had heard the buzz about the Flip Video Ultra series last week, and as soon as I played with it at Best Buy, I had to have it. Purchased on the spot, and have already generated and uploaded several videos to YouTube. It’ll be a great compliment to my Sony DVD camcorder. Not a replacement, by any means, but a great addition, as the Flip is small enough to carry around everywhere, and simple enough to use on-the-fly as you would use a digital camera. Pull it out of your pocket, and bam, you’re recording.

wow really, need a cookie ?

This looks like a decent entry level video camera. Does it use a format that’s compatible with QuickTime and iMovie or will I have to convert it with iSquint like I have to do with my Sony Cybershot?

Have you ever tried time lapse photography with QuickTime? It’s really easy. You just need to have QuickTime Pro. Just take a series of photos (it’s best if you use a tripod) and take plenty of them, save them to a folder, open QuickTime, choose Open Image Sequence from the File menu, select the first photo in the series (your camera should have numbered them sequentially) and select the framerate. Tada! You have a time lapse movie. Don’t use too high of a resolution. I would go with less than 1MP if you can.

I bought a Flip Video Camera this year on the advice of a friend and client who owns a video production company. He said he bought one for his kids for their school projects and mentioned how easy the work-flow is from shooting to editing. He also said that the Washington Post issues these things to all their online reporters. They’re perfect for Vlogging. In fact, here in Iowa during the Caucuses, a number of these things were in the hands of journalists covering the events.
Since I’ve bought mine, I’ve shot a number of things with it. It does surprisingly well in low-light situations by boosting the gain. And in situations with ample light, the images are amazingly clean. Definitely worth the price. I bought a 60min unit on sale from CompUSA (who was going out of business) for around $125.
I highly recommend this product to anyone looking for an affordable, easy to use, point and shoot camera. For shooting web content, there’s not anything comparable on the market today.

I loved mine… until I ran into a glitch. With Mac OS X 10.4.11, and the current version of Quicktime, the videos lose their audio when you load them onto the computer. UGH! I did receive a nice email from a Flip Video support person saying that they’re working on a solution… but that there isn’t one on the immediate horizon. So now, I must load the videos onto a friend’s computer, burn them to a DVD, and then email them to my son’s grandpa. Not nearly as slick a solution, but it works for the time being.

u look good in suit :)!

I have a Kodak easy share 6.1 mp for 89.99.with a 2-gig card for 14.99. I can get an hour of recording time at TV quality, and I can take photos too. The flip looks like a good product but how does it compare to the easy share. I would buy one at 99.99 if I did not have a camera that could already do that and if I run out of time I just change my 2-gig card. Thanks for the review

next day after seeing chris doing this video i went to the pawnshop and i was lookin and i seen a flip camroder there for 59 so i bought it and made its good video on it small really light weight im gonna use this for my airplane

I was watching the video yesterday as you made it, and your father has a similar reaction to mine when faced with Tech…”I don’t want to know how it works… I don’t need all the bells and whistles… I just want it to do what I bought it for.” This sounds like one of those things I’ll eventually be buying for him in fact… Thank you for bringing it to our attention Chris… you had a post up not long ago reminding us of mothers day… this, sounds like the perfect Father’s day gift. *adds to list*

The Flip looks pretty amazing. Funny I hadn’t heard of it before.

I’ve currently got a bulky Sony DV cam (a traditional video camera) that works well and has excellent picture quality. Trouble is, it’s a pain in the ass to lug around. The Flip, if the quality is adequate, would be a breeze, since it could fit in my pocket. And the price is low enough that I might just get one just to play around with it.

Oh! I just realized. This would make a perfect gift for my son and his wife who live on the other side of the country and are expecting their first baby!! Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Chris!

hey Chris! I have a Sony handy cam and I HATE IT. It is very frustrating because you have to use Sony’s software to extract the files from the disc. There are other ways but the are way more complicated and take more time. If i would of known of the flip I likely would of chosen the flip. I like that you can mount it as a drive and pull off the avi files by your self. No third party software, Sounds like a dream! Thank you for making this video It was very helpful for me and I’m sure it was for others.

hmm i have been thinking about getting one of these for awhile, thanks chris you confirmed it for me i am gonna get one of these puppies. If you says its a good product it must be a good product.

That flip recorder looks to be just what I need to start my own video recordings for youtube! I know how to edit video and so forth, i just never had the money for a camcorder. I’m going to go out and buy one now! Thanks a lot Chris!

They are very popular from what I have seen I might get this or the aiptek hd camcorders (they have a 1080p one now that is under $200) or the vado

How much did he get paid to plug this product?

I saw the videos you had on youtube. You’re really getting me interested in this little camera. I also saw it on Oprah once. ( how did the little ducklings make out? they were so cute)

can it take pics to

Did Chris just come back from a wedding, or a funeral?

it’s very good device …

I would use one for the sake of Recording my mother when she says one thing and then decides that when I finally side with her she turns her argument around and says she never said such a thing… but a good way to prove a point.

I love the Flip! I’m going to get it soon but the bad part is that it only has 60 minutes. I know you think that is enough, but it isn’t enough for me. I wish it had a memory card input for extra space like SD Card.

dang.. that is cool. Seems easy, and I would actually probably keep one in my car. Why? Why not! lol… My wife would find this very useful. It looks good, sounds pretty good, but I wish we could see a good real life example.. a wife and kids at the park, using this. That is where the real test comes in. lol. -)

Got one for my gf (a non techie) and she loves it, it works and she can upload to youtube, there is nothing more needed.

It will take stills out of a video.

That seems like a cool idea, now for a waterproof one ;)
And the simplicity of it is great
I among others i think would prefer it with a bit more memory in it
Seems like something a teenage girl would carry everywhere with her lol
But no it is kinda cool and i heard it has good quality

geez, I got one of them but I’d wish I had less capacity on mine -_-

I have one and I love it but now my iMac won’t read the camera.

I plug the Flip Camera to my USB port and then it says connected on the camera but then it doesn’t show up on my desktop. It’s a bummer because I have alot of good footage on my Flip.

It’s a bummer, does anyone know how to fix this problem?

Chis, you make it sound so simple. I’ve been wanting to buy one of these after hearing about it on the radio, but I didn’t have that extra push to, but after seeing how easy it is to use, I may have shell out $150 for it. I saw the duck video on Youtube and the quality is amazing, usually with simple type cameras quality isn’t always the great, but the flip proves that simplicity and quality can go together.

My friend had one of these last year, it was really cool, i think it was entirely flash and it basically acts like a digital camera though with film, like the transfer is almost seamless with no pointless applications you have to install just load the drivers and it’s set. I might get this when I take film in 2 years. Though I might want a more quality camera but just a small cheap one would also be great. Thanks chris.

cool! i guess i’ll probably get one, sounds like a neat device and it’s just makes it much better because of the internal memory storage. so there is no need for memory cards. it’s just easier then a video camera, it’s portable and there when you need it, thanks for the info Chris, Flip It! :)

I don’t own one but, I have a mac so I might be able to help you a bit.

Try to use iMovie or the software that came with the camera to import the video. I would said that if it still dosen’t work, try reinstalling the drivers.

If those trick still does nothing, try go to the pirillo’s IRC chat room and ask for help there.

That’s it, hope it’ll help.

Hi, Chris. I was going to buy a Sony one but then i thinked i I decided to go for a Canon Exlim digital still camera that includes a software for youtube videos. And flip cameras are the best but there not my thing. LOL

Personally I think if one is going to have a small low quality camera to carry around with them at all times it should be their point and shoot. The problem with the flip video is that it does not take that great still where a point and shoot does. I dont want to carry devices around I just want one.

Chris, if you are looking for this same form factor, but have wanted a higher quality image and feature set, you should look at what DXG USA has to offer. They have a FLIP-like video camera but in HD and supports SDHC media. It shoots in H.264 and has a 5.0 megapixel sensor. Its available in four colors and is very affordable at only $125 from B&H Photo. For more details, check out http://denniscadorniga.com/?p=71

Bought mine today. Thanks for the advice, Chris!

But is it a decent camera? I seriously recommend anyone who wants a decent camera to get a cheap miniDV camera and buy a firewire card.

is it avaible in japan???

Hopefully a funeral because I hope his wife died.

I saw these in Blockbuster about a month ago…I was wondering how they were. Might be nice for birthday parties and holidays for quick snippets of action. Might have to have a talk with the ‘boss’. We’ve got a big CVHS camcorder, but it’s such a hassle to deal with. This could be the perfect solution…

it seems really good , o would buy one of these but it seems to be only sold in America, i don’t know when these camcorders or if they will be sold in Europe but i wish that they will cause after seeing this i want one too, but there are two problems 1: Shipping isn’t cheap 2: i don’t know if it would work here because it is customized for America just as many other things, i don’t want to short out something, but brady isn’t the Aiptek better, you said that it has 32Gb theflip has only 2Gb, you said that it has up yo 32 Gb? does your have 2 gb or 32? although i must say that theflip is pretty cool cause it doesn’t look like a camcorder, it reminded me more of nes or gameboy with that red button =)

I Have one of the Flip Camcorders and i love it
I wrote more about it here :
http://home.windstream.net/selanderw/Flip_video.htm

Check it out

Sweet, i’d definitely get one. But the 60 min video kind of makes me want to go get a $500 Digicam…

I have never owned a digital video recorder. I have always used my digital camera to shoot the video that I want. I mean if the camera has the feature use it. Now later on I might get a digital camcorder, and maybe the flip may be the perfect choice for me. but until my camera goes out I’m doing fine. I also really like the little USB stick that pops out on the side. You don’t have any proprietary USB cord to connect it to your computer. I think that is a good product Chris. I’ll have to go check it out.

Hi Chris,

I just purchased a Flip Ultra (yeah, I sprung the extra $30 for the slight improvements that the Ultra seems to offer.)

I was sure to use your affiliate link, of course.

Thanks for the heads-up, Chris, on what appears to be a cool and simple gadget!

David Roche
Athens, Ohio

i would definetly look for those if i didn’t have my JVC – GRD740 :D

nice gadget tho.

wow. Heartless. Why would you say somthing like that?

wow. Heartless. Why would you say somthing like that?

Thats so cool. I want one too. I hate using my bro’s camcorder and capturing in WMM (Windows Movie Maker) This would really ease my video making

One of my friends at school was using that to record everyone at our table eating for a joke. I think when I looked at it it siad it was made by Google.

After watching Chris’s video I checked online and found that Sam’s Club had them for $124.81. So I bought it and the wife played with it on the way home. It comes with batteries (how unusual is that these days) and extremely simple to use. It notified me the first time I plugged it into my laptop that it had a firmware update to apply so I did that with no problems at all. So far it is great! Thanks again Chris for finding a fantastic product.

anyone recommend a good camera i can use for outdoor use. specificaly kayaking. i need pretty good quality to make DVD’s but it needs to be water proof/resistant aswell. even if it came with a decent waterproof filming case would be great.

Good to hear that your dad is geting into Technology lol, I want to get one of these ive herd alot of great things about the Flip.

Jimmy Mac

I got a Flip video and it changes my voice when I download it. This does not make me happy.

I got a Flip video and it changes my voice when I download it. This does not make me happy.

I got a Flip video and it changes my voice when I download it. This does not make me happy.

cool

cool

cool

use the flip ultra

use the flip ultra

use the flip ultra

I think he would look more better if he wore thicker glasses and a bow tie instead. I can’t understand the taboo of looking like a genuine nerd.

lol

lol

I love my Flip, but have not been able to get it to work with Leopard yet and was not given any hope by the folks that make it …do you know something I don’t? thanks

I think I’ll still stick with my good old Sony Digital handy cam. But it does look cool.

In a few more years I’ll be wanting to upgrade, but I really use the 20x zoom and the extra lighting features way to much to go with a less feature filled model. That being said, it would be a good thing to just run and gun with. I run and gun with our digital camera now. It does quite well with short video clips, but without a much larger flash card I can’t get a hour’s worth of video on there.

SD cards are cheap though. I’ve just convinced myself to get a larger SD card and just use my little digital camera to do the quick and dirty videos more often.

I bought one of these for my son who is 10 and autistic. He works it with ease. He takes it with him everywhere he goes. He’s creating his own commercials and even did a “restaurant review show” that he posted on youtube. He’s overtaken my channel! I love it myself. It’s so much easier to carry around and I’m finding that we can preserve memories of our everyday family activities without lugging a camcorder around. This easily fits in a pocket and is not much bigger than a cell phone, but is much more durable. I have to say that it’s been dropped more than once without any adverse effects. Great product!

I am currently using my Canon digital camera for my video recording needs, but I would really like to have a small device like this to carry around with me. I am what you would consider an advanced geek, but I still truly appreciate simplicity on many levels… it just makes the experience go so much better.

This Flip camera is really cool. Even me who is really into technology would want on of these. I think this is a great cam. People who are bad with electronics can easily use this with no problem. And you proved that with your dad using it with no help Chris. Just turn it on and press the RED button. How easier than that can it get. Unless it had voice recognition lol.

how many can you record?
just asking

how many can you record?
just asking

how many can you record?
just asking

I think ‘the Flip’ is really onto something. I know my grandparents, who enjoy going on cruises, are constantly using their digital camera for recording videos– due mainly to the fact they don’t need to learn how to use another device.

The digital camera’s video quality isn’t bad, but as many of you know, the mic is fairly terrible. I will definitely be buying them a Flip! I think they would greatly enjoy it and as Chris demonstrated , it’s incredibly intuitive and simple to use!

My only question is… is there an external memory slot? If not, it’s definitely needed.

Very nice. I may not necessarily buy it. It looks too simple to operate and too ordinary for camera in terms of resolution, fps and other features..:> Perhaps if its an HD format and good zooming capability. I may probably buy one. But all in all, it looks awesome and handy. it’s nice to have for a backup camera that you can bring along all the time so that just in case somethinng happened like cops beating a motorist, or an earthquake or high school shootout or Britney Spears walking by, I can pull it out and shoot. then sell it to CNN or E! for quick buck :->

This little flip camera is great for use on the go with my laptop. Especially for things like school and such. I hope they make them with more memory. Even though i couldn’t record my whole lecture it is a really decent camera for at least what im using it for and i think other people should give it a try.

My cousin got one of these things a few months ago. He let me play with it and let me tell you, it IS as easy as it looks!

I want one now!
I have a plain old 7mp digital camera, pretty easy but no muvee, nor YouTube uploader =/.
I think if I had the money I would buy it.
-Ruben

haha Joriz! “…. or Britney Spears walking by, I can pull it out and shoot. then sell it to CNN or E! for quick buck :->”

Doug– it shoots .avi files.

I think one of the big advantage of the Flip over a regular digital camera is that it’s much better on batteries.

great one! hope it could take still images too… the basis of the buyers today like me are the products that have high quality such as the resolution, capabilities and more but i’ll find more about that flip camera and what are it’s specs…

Chris I bought this for my Mom on Mother’s Day. She loves it! I cant believe how easy it is to use, and all the nice features that my mom loves. Great product, and great Video!

nice camcorder

nice camcorder

nice camcorder

Wow I would love one of thooughs but I’m not really sure if 60 min. is good enough for me.

Wow! I wish I could have one of those. (Searchs Newegg for one) Now. Only the money, first a new computer!

Great- Chris

“60 minutes of video” ;-)

“60 minutes of video” ;-)

“60 minutes of video” ;-)

i was thinking about getting a camcorder and then i saw the flip on your site and i was drawn to it i think that it would suit me well cant wait to go get one
ps. if anyone has it tell me what they think

Thanks for the recommendation. You look so cute in a suit.

Thanks for the recommendation. You look so cute in a suit.

My friend has one and it’s overrated. Most digital cameras have the same video resolution AND they can take pictures too. Plus you can expand the memory :D. So don’t get the flip unless you only want to take videos :D.

yes plz

yes plz

It actually just records 30 Minutes. I have one myself.

It actually just records 30 Minutes. I have one myself.

So I’m guessing the video quality is at least at par?

Last semester my Computer teacher brought in a Flip for the next hour, Exploratory Business, which I was in as well as Computers. Anyways, it was very simple for her to record the video, then plug it into the computer while we all watched the screen. It was great. My teacher recommends it as well.

I’ve been doing professional video for almost 2 years now, and even though i have a $2600 camera, i always find a nice portable flip camera to be one of the most helpful tools i have.

I recently purchased a Logitech QuickCam Chat Camera, hoping that the third party drivers that are available on the internet for Mac OS X would allow me to use the camera with ustream.tv. However, I was disappointed to find that it is not recognized by my browser, and does not broadcast my stream. I see in the blog post that this camera is compatible with both Mac OS X and Windows. Would this camera allow me to broadcast my ustream.tv stream on my Mac OS X machine?

It’s cool and simply to use but nothing else a simple compact digital camera can do this job and the usb connector seems to be very unpractical but at least it’s cheap.

You can get a 30 Minute version of the Flip Camcorder or a 60 Minute version.

You can get a 30 Minute version of the Flip Camcorder or a 60 Minute version.

Looks like an interesting camcorder! I’ll hold off on getting one though because you said that the audio compression was not great. If they fix it, which I doubt they will any time soon, then I will purchase it. It definitely is a neat gadget. If anyone has any reviews of it, please do post it here!

I got one of these for myself last month, and I have loved it! It is so easy that even a two-year-old could figure it out. The quality is what you would expect out of a camera like this, and it is a fair resolution. It’s just so tiny that it fits right in your pocket when you’re on the go.

Is that the Flip Ultra or is it the original?

Is that the Flip Ultra or is it the original?

Hmmm… I might have to pick one of these up. As a musician I need to take videos with better quality and mobility then my webcam allows, so this might be my answer! Record with some mics and so on, take a nice looking video with one of those, sync and voila! Instant Youtube video.

I bought one when they first came out and my girlfriend stole it from me :( I did like it for the short time that I had it though.

The cheap version called “the little giant” (I think) is available too. This is suposed to be the waterd down version. ????
I think they are the same. do a search.

I’ve been looking for a video device like this for quite some time, but, alas, I’ve been unsuccessful. Until now. Thanks for the line!

is it compatible to make videos on youtube?

is it compatible to make videos on youtube?

It’s about time they make digital media capture devices as simple to use as most early analog FILM (yes, remember film?) devices.

This, of course, is why I WILL be trying to nab one for my mom, the price seems VERY reasonable.

Great one! hope it could take still images too… the basis of the buyers today like me are the products that have high quality such as the resolution, capabilities and more.

Devices like this are the beginning of mass world wide distribution of video. At the moment there is a lot of video out there, and its getting out there fast. But a lot of what is out there is irrelevant and pointless. I’m looking forward to the day when you can watch something that has literally happened just before, or as its happening. I guess something like twitter, but for video would be great.

That’s pretty nice yep, but recently Creative came out with Vade it’s same sort of thing as flip and exact same price, but it has couple of better features and is smaller. So my tip is get Creative Vado

So it’s like a webcam, right? That could come in handy. But then, why would a Mac need a camera? I guess he refers to a headless, or this is more than just a webcam.

Does anyone remember when CVS was selling something similar which the modding community took and improved upon? I still have mine and it works like a charm.

New gadget–cool!That muvee software you talked about is awesome.Thanks for the tip.It makes me think like I am a professional.This minicam I agree It is awesome for amators

I was never one that was big on cameras or anything until I became a Broadcasting major. Maybe I will pick one of these up to do some very low level editing or some type of goofy thing at a party. On a side note, they gave one of these away at my school and I was one number away from wining it. POOOP!

truly the only thing I really want is a cam of any kind, never had a true camcorder, always used the one in my still cam. looking for one to buy myself for a birthday present.

More is Less! I just read Chris’s CPU article where he talked about the advantages of simplicity. I use a Samsung DV Cam whenever I need to film something, but a Flip sure would be nice to have for on the go.

yeah i jst got one and it works well.

I just bought the flip (ultra series).. claims to record 60 minutes worth of video and I’m having a major issue erasing the flash drive. Currently I have 4 minutes left and zero videos saved. …strange… ????

Last week was my daughter’s birthday. I gave her a Flip video camera Model PSV-552. She was recording during the week and after that she decided to make a custom movie. To make the edition she did not use the software included with the camera, instead she used Windows Movie Maker that was in her computer. Finally she got a good result. After that she opened the Flip Video Ultra software and found a feature that permits to send a Christmas Card where she can insert the videos taken by the camera. But instead of these videos she wanted to insert the edition just made it on Windows Movie Maker . When she went to insert the movie she realized that the file could not shows up on the main window of the Flip software, it didn’t appear, it only appeared the recordings made by the camera but not the movie edited in Windows movie maker. There was no way to retrieve that video from windowsmovie maker to the Flip software.

its pretty cool but the thing about it is that it has only 60min. amd when you turn it off while your recording it permently takes away munites….