Pure Digital Technologies - FLIP Mino Review

Overall 4.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

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RudiXeno
Boca Raton, FL

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Flip Mino: A camcorder so simple you have to love it!

an early adopter, Every day computer user, somewhat tech savvy, computer literate, gadget geek, Rudi Xeno, into trying new things

Pros

easy to use, impressive video and sound, modest price, cool factor

Cons

only 2x digital zoom

OCT

2008

I'm a guy who does love his gadgets. So when my sister-in-law flew in from NY to attend my quasi-surprise birthday party last weekend with a Flip Mino, I was soon to be in gadget geek heaven.

Imagine a camcorder about the size of an iPod Nano. So simple a design that it takes all of about two minutes to master. See that big red button? Press it and you're shooting a video. Press it again an you've stopped. That's it. No focus, no exposures, just point and shoot.

That's the beauty of Pure Digital Technologies Flip Mino. Look at the picture of this camcorder. Is that a thing of beauty or what?

Flip Mino
The Flip Mino has a 1.5" screen you use to view and replay your video. Its 2gb internal storage records 60 minutes of VGA 640x480 video with surprising quality both in terms of picture and sound. When you want to transfer your video to your computer you simply press the USB button on the side and a USB adapter pops out of the top switchblade style and you insert the camera into your USB port. On-board software loads automatically allowing you to do some basic editing and assemble a movie of sorts. You can even let it provide a little musical scoring.

The USB adapter is also how you charge the lithium-ion battery. A full charge gives you about 4 hours of recording/playback time. Also included in the kit is a video cable so you can view your on-board content on your TV.

The Rage
Just a few years ago, Pure Digital was the maker of disposable cameras. Now they're producing the #1 most popular camcorder sold on Amazon. Earlier this year, David Pogue of the New York Times was so smitten by it that he expressed his amazement that the Flip had captured 13% of the camcorder market before he had even gotten around to reviewing it.

A Very Easy Review
Do you want to see how good it is? Just go to their site, theflip.com and check out the celebrity supplied videos available there. The proof is in the viewing.

The Good
It's small, elegant and at 4"x2"x.6" and only 3oz. it can go anywhere. And at about $149, it's very affordable.

The included software supports automatic uploads to YouTube and Myspace. How'd they forget Facebook? No matter it's coming soon. And, uploading to virtually any site is a simple process.

The Less than Good
Okay, there's always something isn't there? It only has a 2x digital zoom. I say live with it. The Flip Mino is too cool to pass up.

My Viewpoint
This is an elegant, beautifully packaged, modestly priced video gadget that's going to place real high on the holiday gift list. I recommend it.

Regards,
Rudi

Last edited on Oct 31, 2008