Flip Mino goes H to the D with a WSJ review

Pure Digital's Flip Mino just broke free from the confines of the VGA kiddie-pool to find itself tip-toeing gingerly into the shallow end of sacred high-definition waters. But with a retail price of $230, it's best to temper your expectations of the new Flip Mino HD. For that price you get about an hour's worth of fixed zoom, 720p, MPEG-4 video recorded to 4GB of built-in flash memory. Plug the USB cam into your PC or Mac to launch the built-in FlipShare editing software for fine-tuning your videos before sharing (compressed down to 480x270) to MySpace, YouTube or direct over email -- HD sharing via an unnamed partner is coming early next year according to Pure.

Walt's buddy, Katie Boehret, over at the Wall Street Journal already put hands to gear and came away duly impressed by the video and improved sound quality. The she-Walt also found the FlipShare software to be much improved over the Flip's previous bundled wares while the camera remained dead-simple to use. All in all, well worth the $50 premium over the previous Flip Mino. Sample video posted after the break.

[Fusion Fuzo @ Nov 12th 2008 2:01AM]

whats wrong with using tapes

[Fusion Fuzo @ Nov 12th 2008 2:15AM]

WHO SUNK THE SHIP FUGLY Who would by this stuff, and engadget dreadful adverting of that apple make me sick, they could of at least used a computer people actually own like my compaq computer running windows 95, with 300mhz, 32 ram, and 1.42 gb of ram, i recommend knowbody buy this camera unless your filthy rich

[LordFarkward @ Nov 12th 2008 2:29AM]

Your last sentence makes my brain hurt...

Actually, I just realised there's only one sentence. OMG OMG hurt hurt hurt

[Valicore @ Nov 12th 2008 2:51AM]

I like how you're trying to change up the normal trolling by confusing people and being an arrogant ass while at the same time being seemingly illiterate... You are, however, still lame.

[Fusion Fuzo @ Nov 12th 2008 2:54AM]

lordfarkward Your right it is hurt, to me this camera looks like lip stick on a pig, plus $230 is to high, it should be $20 (£10), i see no future for these useless cameras, when u can use vhs-c or 8mm camcorders

[Fusion Fuzo @ Nov 12th 2008 2:57AM]

im not a troll

im a ffully qualified proffessional IT technician

[Urban_N3rd @ Nov 13th 2008 4:52PM]

There is nothing wrong with using tapes - if like your computer you are stuck in the '90s. I'm not sure if your coments about the apple computer used in the shot is meant to be funny or not.

[dorkfish @ Nov 12th 2008 2:18AM]

$230? The zi6 from kodak runs on aa batteries, uses sd cards, has a larger screen, a better zoom, and records .mov files for $180. seems like a much better deal.

[Philster @ Nov 12th 2008 2:42PM]

... and the Kodak Zi6 also has a Macro Lens! Let's compare and contrast:

http://vimeo.com/2165120

[Aubrey @ Nov 12th 2008 2:19AM]

Booooooooring.
Kodak already made this device and launched it a fortnight ago. They also had the insight to place an SDHC on it so you aren't limited to 4GB.

The quality is ok, but because the quality is so high it makes for quite visibly shaky video. These products need a better on-board image stabilization solution before they can be taken seriously.

[Nick M @ Nov 12th 2008 5:32PM]

For me, I like on-board storage so I don't lose the SD cards. The Zi6 also looks a bit on the chunky side.

[Unknown @ Nov 12th 2008 2:24AM]

Might the "unnamed partner" be Vimeo? That's where everyone has been posting their HD video so far.

[linuxamp @ Nov 12th 2008 2:28AM]

So this is the secret RED project... Looks a little different from the leaked shots http://dFL8.me/2e30

[tchapp @ Nov 12th 2008 2:38AM]

nice powerbook g4.

[KA @ Nov 12th 2008 1:23PM]

So predictable...

[KrustyOrama @ Nov 12th 2008 5:12AM]

That's what she said!

[flipsdesigner @ Nov 12th 2008 6:31AM]

I own a designer Flip Mino (non HD) with a design from my shop (what? I had to test them didn't I?).

I was just doing a big write up on it when I realized that I had too many positive things to say, I thought well the one thing I can say so far is that I wish it was HD.

So yeah, I'm going to be trading up. I've got other gadgets but this one is just dead simple to use, I even like the software to some extent (and I've been involved with pro editing before so sometimes simple is a nice break).

The designer Flip MinoHDs are the same price as the plain, if you are too lazy to make your own design or just want your name on it with no fuss, look for those options in my shop http://www.cafepress.com/designerflips

[THJ @ Nov 12th 2008 11:44AM]

Normally I detest people advertising their own stuff in comments, but those are some really nice designs - I especially like the chess set and the NYC B&W.

[Norman @ Nov 12th 2008 7:51AM]

I have been waiting for this for some time. The Flip is an awesome cam but it was really wacky on Mac's. I am so happy these guys are finally FULLY supporting Mac's. Ill be buying one soon.

[Brandon @ Nov 12th 2008 11:14AM]

is the 1 hour of recording the battery life or the amount of HD video it can hold?

[Kurt @ Nov 12th 2008 11:22AM]

Holy Crap that's a small screen.

[THJ @ Nov 12th 2008 11:45AM]

Are there any demo videos floating around from inside shots or low light conditions? That's where most cameras tend to fail.

[Wwhat @ Nov 12th 2008 11:51AM]

Well that sample vid is not convincing, the sky is all flashing and noisy and shit, that's no good.

[Slash @ Nov 12th 2008 12:23PM]

I got a Small Wonder HD

9 Hours of HD w/16gb sdhc

2 hours+ per rechargeable battery

720p, SDTV n youtube settings

5 MP stills w/digi-zoom pic/vid

I love it, $150 with memory card

Just need at least another battery, maybe more

[Greg @ Nov 12th 2008 2:03PM]

I noticed on the specs for the Mino HD that the minimum focus distance is 1.5 meters. That is almost 5'. I would think that would cause a lot of problems in many shooting situations.

[reisa @ Nov 12th 2008 4:00PM]

The key for this thing is simplicity. I have the standard-def Mino, and what it lacks in high-end sophistication, it makes up for in ease of use. It's dead-simple to record and playback your recording on the device. Transferring to your PC is done by plugging the camera directly into the USB port -- no cable needed. It's nothing the videophiles out there would fawn over -- but your sister and mom will. And that's the target for this particular kind of device.

[Hilton @ Nov 14th 2008 6:04PM]

I just got mine today and so far I have one major complaint - it seems the zoom only functions when you are recording, so you can't begin a sequence fully zoomed in and gradually zoom out... you have to record the bit where you zoom in and then trim it when you edit.. or at least that seems to be the only solution I can find. Tech support couldn't help, they said the zoom button should have lit up, but everything I've read online - including an earlier WSJ review indicates that this is not the case, that the + and - only work the zoom when recording... they work the volume during playback.

[Nick @ Dec 4th 2008 7:43PM]

Just got my first Flip Mino HD from http://www.cafepress.com/flipminohdcams and I LOVE it!

[Billie @ Dec 17th 2008 10:58AM]

ok.... so I am having a problem with my flip mino. it got wet... I waited for it to dry and now the screen is dark. I can see it when it is under lights but if not then it is completely dark. Can anybody help? I already tried to reset the screen and that isn't working!!
I love the camera and it is expensive so I can't just get a new one...
~Billie