Updated 9-6-09

The Flip Video information has changed since I first wrote about it. Basically the features have increased but so has the price. Here's a link to the Flip currently available- Flip Vidcam .

April 19, 2009

If you want to learn about desktop video (YouTube quality) the Flip Ultra I tested at the Toledo RC Expo is a very good camera for around $70. Below are videos I shot at Radio Control modeler's show at SeaGate Centre and edited with iMovie on the Macintosh. Image quality is very impressive for such a small lens, but doesn't shoot quite as wide angle as I would like or doesn't have more than a 2X zoom. It's powered by 2 AA batteries, a plus in my book (compared to proprietary batteries). This cheaper version of the camera records 30 minutes of video and audio, which is plenty long for me. Most of the videos I have on YouTube run 2 to 3 minutes.

One thing I miss with this vidcam is a lens cap. They provide a small cloth bag to carry the camera in, which does protect the lens somewhat but I'd prefer a rigid plastic cap. An addon I found useful is a short USB cable to transfer your avi files to your computer. While the camera will plug directly into your computer's USB port, a flexible cable makes it easier.

I find shooting video takes more time than still photos- in the editing stage. With digital still shots, I regularly shoot a lot more images than I save. Most of the editing with still photography is just pitching my bad shots, which doesn't take long. With video it's usually not that simple. I'm always finding some little thing to snip out, in the editing stage. And you need a lot more hard drive space to shoot video.

At least adding a hard drive to your computer system is much cheaper than just a few years ago. Once you start shooting video it's pretty much a given that your drive is going to fill up. Later, I'll post on adding hard drives (internals, externals, PCs, Macs) and editing video with iMovie, Roxio's tools and the Flip's own editing software.

YouTube videos below were all shot with the 30 minute Flip Ultra, a $70 vidcam.