What’s Hot.
Simplicity! Pure Digital Technology’s Flip Ultra video camera is ready to shoot in 3 seconds. We like its portable size, its price and the ease with which you can view and send videos.
What’s Not.
Don’t expect the Flip to take the same quality videos of a traditional camcorder. The Flip only records 30 minutes (1GB) or 60 minutes (2GB) worth of videos at a time.
The bottom line.
The Flip is great to take on the family vacation or to carry around town to capture quick memories. It’s a fun video gadget with better-than-expected video quality, but you’re not going to film the next Oscar-winning documentary with it.
Since its introduction to the market in late 2007, the Flip Ultra series plug-and-play video camera has won consumers over with its easy-as-pie filming capabilities. Measuring a little larger than a deck of cards, the Flip is perfectly suited to carry everywhere to capture even the most surprising moments. This newer series comes in 1G ($129.99) and 2G ($149.99) versions that hold 30 or 60 minutes, respectively, of video. Although, the $20 price difference between the two makes the 2G version seem like a much better buy. The 2G model also comes in five colors – white, black, orange, green and pink – whereas the 1G comes in only black and white.
Simplicity is the word when it comes to the Flip Ultra. It comes with two AA batteries and powers up in about 3 seconds, so it’s ready to film right out of the box. The camera uses Pure Digital’s own “Video Engine 2.0,” which produces good quality raw footage and clear, vivid colors. Although the record button requires a hefty punch, the Flip films very nicely in low-light situations. The 1.5 inch transflective LCD screen is viewable in even the brightest light. And like a digital camera, the Flip makes instant playback and deleting those “please never show that again!” videos easy.
Downloading videos from the internal flash memory is also a cinch. The Flip features a flip-out USB arm that allows you to connect the camera to your computer without any additional cables. Overall, the Flip is a bit easier to use with a PC (Windows 2000, XP or Vista). Just plug in the USB and the required software automatically pops up. Macs users must initially download the software from the Flip, but from then on, it is detected automatically. Once you have downloaded your videos, click the “share” button on the software interface to send your clips by email, in a greeting or to video sharing sites.
The Flip also comes with built-in viewing and sharing software that allows you to upload your videos to AOL Live, YouTube and MySpace in one step. Also included, is Muvee’s editing software, which allows PC users to string video clips together, add music to your masterpiece and more. Unfortunately, the software does not work with Macs.
The zoom feature could use some work, and it might prove more useful to just move closer to your subjects in lieu of using the zoom itself. It is recommended to purchase the Flip waterproof case to protect the camera during rainy or humid days. The Flip also includes a cable that allows you to connect it to your TV for video viewing.
Want to purchase one for technically-challenged Great Aunt Mildred? Not a problem – you can take the Flip to any Ritz/Wolf Camera store or major drugstore chains like CVS, Duane-Reade and Rite-Aid, and they will burn your videos onto a DVD for under $20.
