Like many bloggers out there, I'm into gadgets. Gadgets for computers, video, photography and music creation.
For this first post I'm going to describe the Flip Mino HD camcorder.
This was a prize!
I recently won this little beauty on a contest at www.JohnChow.com on his blog. One of my advertising networks, www.MarketLeverage.com was giving it away. The only requirement to enter was for me to send a www.twitter.com 'Tweet" out about the contest.
I did this, and received an email shortly thereafter that I had won! About five days later I received the shipment.
Opening and Using
Within one minute of opening the box, I had the camera recording 720P HD-video and audio. The camera comes partially charged so you can use it right away.
Charging and Transferring Clips
Plugging the camera into a spare USB port for recharging opens the software suite for using the editing, transferring and viewing features on your home or laptop PC or Macintosh computer. The viewer/ editor is very intuitive and I was transferring all of my clips to my PC for backup easily.
Features of the Flip Mino HD Camcorder
The features are minimal, there is no zoom lens, you just have to walk closer to your subjects of interest. You can record-stop-play-and delete any recordings youhave made.
The back panel features the navigation keys for camera operations. A small flip-out USB connector is activated by a button on the side of the camera.
I recommend you find a way to 'support the camera' if you are plugging it into your PC or Mac, as the USB port can be stressed to the point of breakage if you just hang it on the USB port. A USB extension cable for the Flip Mino HD can be obtained at any computer supply store, Best Buy, Fry's Electronics or Radio Shack.
Picture quality when viewing on a large screen HDTV is a bit 'grainy'. The codec n the Flip Mino is not world class, but for a relatively inexpensive camcorder with no tapes to deal with, it is acceptable for viewing on your computer.
Video for the Web
A great application for the Flip Mino HD camcorder is to create 'web video', short clips describing your product or service, or for uploading to www.YouTube.com
Accessories
The Flip Mino HD camcorder comes with a velvet bag, a lanyard to attach to your wrist while recording, and a video output cable for attaching to the analog composite connector on your tv. Transferring the files to your computer, and burning to a DVD will give you the HD-quality video.
Overall Opinion
I am very pleased with what this little gem can deliver> It is ready to record in three seconds, it holds sixty-minutes of content before it is full, and it's light weight and size make it easy to drop in a shirt pocket or purse.
For what it is, I never leave home without this litle gem. I may find a story worthy of making the local news, who knows?
Please leave me a comment if you liked this post, and provide some suggestions for other tech gadgets you would like reviewed.
Respectfully, Nicholas Chase
