FLIPS? About This Page:

[pixiemom]

Hi all Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!

So what can anyone tell me about the FLIP camera's that are out there, I am starting to see a lot of people with them and now I am thinking of getting one and taking it with us on our Disney trip in August since they are so small to carry around.
How do you view the video's? is it only viewable on pc's??
Any info is greatly appreciated.

I am the type that needs the "DUMMY" version of directions .

TIA
Danielle

[Dave Marx]

I can't tell you alot from personal experience, because I haven't used one. I'm not ever likely to get one, because my "still" camera takes great videos, and one of these days I'll have an iPhone, which is just as compact but a lot more versatile.

The Flip is the video equivalent of a "box" camera. You can't focus the lens, and it has only a 2x digital zoom. Folks with camcorders have gotten used to zooms of 10x or more. 2x isn't going to accomplish much. But that also makes it very simple to use. Count on shooting people up close, rather than things that are happening at great distances. While most folks with camcorders stand in one place and use the zoom, with a Flip you'll probably need to move around in order to keep your subjects filling the viewfinder. Nothing wrong with that - it's just a different style.

To transfer the videos you connect to a computer or other video-capable device equipped with a USB connector (iPad using the Apple camera connector kit, TV with a USB port, etc.). It shoots MP4 video, which is essentially standard - just about any device that can play digital movies plays MP4s.

While the next stop for the video is usually a PC (especially if you want to edit), it's like any other kind of digital photography - you can burn DVDs using your PC; if your TV is equipped, you can play them directly through your TV; if you have one of the home networking setups that connects your TV to your computer network, you can play it that way; you can transfer them to iPhones, iPads, iPods, and the non-Apple equivalents, upload to YouTube; there are probably digital photo frames that can play them... lots of possibilities (a lot more than in the days when you had to set up an 8mm film projector, screen, etc.).

This may be as much camcorder as you need. Most folks who buy more sophisticated camcorders barely use them anyway, so why not start with something simple and inexpensive? If you get bitten by the bug, then you'll probably want to move up, but if not, this may be perfect for you.

[pixiemom]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

I can't tell you alot from personal experience, because I haven't used one. I'm not ever likely to get one, because my "still" camera takes great videos, and one of these days I'll have an iPhone, which is just as compact but a lot more versatile.

The Flip is the video equivalent of a "box" camera. You can't focus the lens, and it has only a 2x digital zoom. Folks with camcorders have gotten used to zooms of 10x or more. 2x isn't going to accomplish much. But that also makes it very simple to use. Count on shooting people up close, rather than things that are happening at great distances. While most folks with camcorders stand in one place and use the zoom, with a Flip you'll probably need to move around in order to keep your subjects filling the viewfinder. Nothing wrong with that - it's just a different style.

To transfer the videos you connect to a computer or other video-capable device equipped with a USB connector (iPad using the Apple camera connector kit, TV with a USB port, etc.). It shoots MP4 video, which is essentially standard - just about any device that can play digital movies plays MP4s.

While the next stop for the video is usually a PC (especially if you want to edit), it's like any other kind of digital photography - you can burn DVDs using your PC; if your TV is equipped, you can play them directly through your TV; if you have one of the home networking setups that connects your TV to your computer network, you can play it that way; you can transfer them to iPhones, iPads, iPods, and the non-Apple equivalents, upload to YouTube; there are probably digital photo frames that can play them... lots of possibilities (a lot more than in the days when you had to set up an 8mm film projector, screen, etc.).

This may be as much camcorder as you need. Most folks who buy more sophisticated camcorders barely use them anyway, so why not start with something simple and inexpensive? If you get bitten by the bug, then you'll probably want to move up, but if not, this may be perfect for you.

Wow Dave thank you so much for all that info!!!!!
I also am going to be getting an IPHONE in the next two weeks, so I am wondering, they do more or less the same things right? if so then maybe I'll just stick with the IPHONE rather then buying both
Forgive the stupidity
TIA

[Dave Marx]

Yes, if you're getting an iPhone, wait and see about the Flip - play with that iPhone for a bit first. You'll be in a better position to evaluate the Flip if you still think you want one.

[pixiemom]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

Yes, if you're getting an iPhone, wait and see about the Flip - play with that iPhone for a bit first. You'll be in a better position to evaluate the Flip if you still think you want one.

Great thank you so much for the help, i will def. wait till i get the IPHONE.

[Queen of Everything]

I love my FLIP because I didn't have to look at a manual to learn how to use it. I took it out of the box and started using it immediately with great results. My 2 cents.

Amy

[pixiemom]

Originally Posted by Queen of Everything

I love my FLIP because I didn't have to look at a manual to learn how to use it. I took it out of the box and started using it immediately with great results. My 2 cents.

Amy

awesome thank you for your review

[islandgirl]

Originally Posted by Queen of Everything

I love my FLIP because I didn't have to look at a manual to learn how to use it. I took it out of the box and started using it immediately with great results. My 2 cents.

Amy

I agree, we gave our DS(15) a Flip for Christmas. He loves it! Easy to use, great quality video, built in usb for quick transfer to computer. Love using it with the tripod we got to go with it. Looking forward to trying it out myself at WDW next month! Easy peasy!

[Disney4us2]

I have 2 FLIP type camera's. I have the Bloggie from Sony. It is the easiest camera. My DD loved it and adpoted it as hers. I got another Bloggie from Sony, the Bloggie Touch. It is so easy with the touch screen. It takes great pictures as well as the video, My night pictures come out great. Just my 2 cents.

[pixiemom]

Thank you all for the reviews!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will def. take it all into consideration, as soon as I get my Iphone in the next 2 weeks, and test that out.
Islandgirl - if you wouldn't mind letting me know how it worked for you in WDW, I would appreciate it.
Thank you!

[Huntermom]

MY DD has had a FLIP for about an year and a half. It is great for travel because it is so small. It is also very easy to use. I am an old technophobe and manage to take some decent videos on it. She has actually used it to take videos for sales ads for horses and they come out really nice-great quality and always in focus.

[pixiemom]

Originally Posted by Huntermom

MY DD has had a FLIP for about an year and a half. It is great for travel because it is so small. It is also very easy to use. I am an old technophobe and manage to take some decent videos on it. She has actually used it to take videos for sales ads for horses and they come out really nice-great quality and always in focus.

terrific, thank u!

[kurtholley]

have the flip HD and love it took it on some of the rides with us and it took good video wasn't to bad in the dark

here is on the wonder so just the light on the ship



Disney 2010 video :: VID00024.flv video by kurtsbusa - Photobucket

[pixiemom]

Originally Posted by kurtholley

have the flip HD and love it took it on some of the rides with us and it took good video wasn't to bad in the dark

here is on the wonder so just the light on the ship



Disney 2010 video :: VID00024.flv video by kurtsbusa - Photobucket

wow that really is good!!!
thank you for sharing that!!!
i am suppose to be getting an IPHONE next week, so I am going to test out their video feature, if its not enough for me then i think i will be getting the FLIP.

i am so glad i posted this question, i got very informative help, thank you all!

[kurtholley]

I also have a Itouch with video and use the Flip for video