Flip Mino Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Tribal Inkblot)
Flip Mino Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Tribal Inkblot)
Flip Mino: The Power of Self Expression
Flip Mino provides you the power of self-expression, enabling you to shoot and share your stories with the world. Now, with a wide assortment of new designs available, you can make a statement with your Mino before you even press record. This “Tribal Inkblot” Mino features a distinctive tribal-inspired design in searing hues of black and white. Each Tribal Inkblot Mino is individually customized by Flip Video’s partner, CafePress.
Mino Overview:
- Super-slim Mino is the sleekest camcorder you can get
- Super-simple user interface features one-touch recording and digital zoom
- Features the distinctive “Tribal Inkblot” design, custom-printed directly on the camcorder
- Holds 60 minutes of full-VGA-quality video on 2GB of built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards required
- Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your computer to launch built-in FlipShare software
- Built-in FlipShareTM software lets you easily email videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, capture still photos from video, and even upload video to sharing sites like YouTube and MySpace
- FlipShare’s advanced compression technology allows for quick and easy sharing of high-quality video in compact-sized files (via email or publishing online)
- Internal Li-ion battery recharges through built-in USB arm while you’re plugged into your computer
- Produces incredible, full-VGA-quality videos that look crisp and clear when played back on a TV (TV connector cable included)
- Features a flat-back panel with touch-sensitive backlit buttons
- Instant playback, pause, fast forward, rewind, zoom, and delete functions
Flip Mino Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Tribal Inkblot) Review
The form factor on this product is great. Its noticeably smaller (in both the pocket and the hand) than its predecessor – the Flip Video Ultra Series, 60 min. And the Ultra was already compact to begin with! The sleek size was important to me because I just won’t bring a camcorder out with me if it doesn’t fit easily in my pocket. This device did just the trick. If you don’t care about size (i.e., because you will just put it in your purse, etc) then I would suggest saving the money and getting the Ultra, which lists for about $50 or so less.
As far as I can tell, the video quality and functionality is about the same as the Ultra and they both have the 2GB of memory, similar 1.5″ screen size, digital zoom etc. So the only reason in my mind to get this is for the size advantage. But for me, size does matter. When I think about how many moments passed by unrecorded simply because it was too cumbersome to take a camcorder along, it really makes me wish they made this Mino years ago!
For those of you unfamiliar with Flip camcorders, the Mino has suprisingly good VGA video quality. I’d put it on par with that of much larger, more expensive traditional camcorders. The Mino also records well in a variety of light settings. The lack of a true optical zoom is probably to be expected given the small size, but the 2x digital zoom is good enough for most casual settings. The design is well thought out to avoid many of the classic pitfalls of portable devices – there’s a scratch resistant covering on the lens, an on/off switch on the side that is difficult to trip accidentally and a centrally located record button that has enough resistance to avoid unintentionally starting/stopping recording (I know some have issues with the Ultra record button but I have not).
I have a PC at home and the Mino truly is a plug-and-play device. You don’t have any confusing software or cables to muddle around with. Simply plug the USB adapter into your computer and you’re ready to go! It’s great for the non-technically savvy. I also like the rechargeable built-in battery in the Mino (which is a new feature). It recharges like an iPod, either in the computer or through an outlet which is convenient. I can’t attest yet to the battery life/quality but I figure by the time it dies out on me, I’ll be well on my way to buying a next generation Flip Micro!
