Gearhead Mom

Thursday, October 29, 2009

A FLIPpin’ Update: The MinoHD

Posted by Jenny M. @ 8:57 AM

Since last holiday season when I bought my husband the Flip camcorder, Pure Digital has released two updated HD models, the most recent, the MinoHD 2nd Generation, which made its debut on October 15 (I reviewed the earlier HD on GHM in July).  Nice timing, Pure Digital (disclosure: a friend works for the company and sent me the latest model to use and review).  The MinoHD is perfectly sized and I predict it will be a winning gift this season.
You may recall that I had some gripes about the Flip UltraHD, among them that the editing software (plug in your flip-out USB port to your computer, and voila! it’s there) didn’t allow for subtitles mid-movie.  I still have that gripe, although the updated FlipShare software for the Mino makes “Magic Movies” using highlights from the videos you select—a sort of automatic video collage that saves time editing.  You can now capture still photos from video, a plus if you’re at the pumpkin patch as I was this morning, trying to juggle camera and camcorder.  Flip’s new Facebook interface (direct uploads to all your friends and family) will win over many users, too. 

I have come to terms with the shortish battery-life issue, and the new Mino records two hours of video before you need to dump video onto your computer (if you’re like me, an Infrequent Deleter, then you’ll appreciate this feature).  I wish for more zoom, still, but have to acknowledge that the small size of this purse-and-and-pocket-friendly video camera makes up for that deficiency.  The zooming feature also causes some camera instability/shudders that I am working to minimize with my own practice.
The Mino’s “recessed” buttons can take some getting used to—more than a touch is required, but less than a click.  The first-released machines froze up during zoom and required rebooting, but the company has worked out its glitches and my model works perfectly. 

Bottom line: I’ve had my Flip with me at all times since it was twice as large a year ago, and it’s a must-have.  Any smaller and I might lose it!

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