Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)
Flip UltraHD HD Camcorder
Good aspects: Relatively inexpensive; shoots 720p HD video; portable and compact; easy to use; high-quality video for its class; uses rechargeable AA batteries; Flip share software compatible with both Mac and Windows machines;
Bad aspects: No cable included for HD output to HDTVs; No memory card slot;
Product Review: The Flip Video UltraHD may not be the hottest camcorder out there, but it offers some of the best video we’ve seen from this type of cheap, YouTube – friendly camcorder. And despite its compact size, it offers an above average 720p (1,280×720) high-definition video.
Watch the Flip UltraHD HD Camcorder on YouTube
Produced by Flip Video, this popular YouTube – friendly mini camcorder is good for point-and-shoot type applications. Flip have made the whole process of shooting videos and transferring them to your computer or uploading them to YouTube and other video-sharing sites dead easy. For the type of audience these budget camcorders are targeted at, having few choices and menus to toggle through is a good thing.
The UltraHD does not have a memory card slot, which is unfortunate, but its 8GB of internal memory allows you to record 2 hours of video. That should be plenty of recording capacity for most people, but if you’re away from home and shoot a lot of video, it would help to bring a laptop along for the ride to transfer your videos as your memory runs out.
The UltraHD comes with a set of AA-size NiMH rechargeable batteries you can charge in the unit by simply connecting the camcorder (via its trademark flip-out USB connector) to the USB port on your computer. But there’s a downside: the batteries are heavier and bulkier than the slim lithium ion type built used for the older MinoHD camcorder. So you’re getting a bigger, heavier camcorder. The UltraHD weighs 6.1 ounces compared to the MinoHD which weighs 3.3 ounces. However, the UltraHD is still pocket-friendly, just not as pocket-friendly as the MinoHD.
As far as video goes, the UltraHD has some of the best we’ve seen to date. To be specific, it’s quite sharp and saturated in outdoor shots and sufficiently bright without being too blurry in low light. The audio is also clear and loud. The main advantage of the UltraHD compared to the Ultra is that you don’t have to keep the device very steady while shooting for the best results. Video produced from the Ultra can appear jittery if you don’t hold the camcorder completely still.
The UltraHD may not look as sexy as other HD mini camcorders out there but it does offer comparatively good video quality and Flip camcorders are probably setting the benchmark in terms of ease of use. If you’ve got it, the extra $50 or so the UltraHD costs over the Ultra is certainly worth it. Especially considering you’ll make up the difference in batteries over the course of a year anyway.
*** Click Here to Purchase the Flip UltraHD Camcorder ***
