Description

With the all-new Flip MinoHD, it-Feets now even easier to capture incredible HD video and share it with the world. MinoHD features 120 minutes of record time, so you-Feetll never have to miss another minute. A super-slim, pocket-sized design means you can take your MinoHD with you everywhere you go. And a large, 2-Inch anti-glare display lets you enjoy your videos directly on your camcorder. Plus, MinoHD comes pre-loaded with FlipShare software, which makes it easy to organize, create and share your videos.

Customer Reviews

 Why release products with such major flaws?????? - Sep 03, 2010

Very disappointed with this product - it worked for about 2 minutes out of the box then has failed to charge. On reading online this is a widespread problem and one that has NOT been fixed with this model. The documentation is equally pathetic - the general consensus on how to fix this revolves around taking it apart - removing the battery pack - plugging it all back together when it starts to charge and then rinse and repeat until you get lucky. Not something you should really have to do with a brand new piece of kit. Cisco should do better than this......

 Fragile, repair service costs. - Sep 01, 2010

I got a refurbished flip cam. the lens was defective. Per the seller's website, it wouldn't accept a return. I called tech support for Flip, said they would repair it for $70. I said it was under warranty. They told me to contact Amazon and the seller and return it.
I emailed a private repair service, they said it wasn't worth their labor cost to fix it.
In the end, I did email the seller and seller agreed to accept a return.
The whole process with Flip was disheartening, and you can Google various complaints about them.

 Sucks - Sep 01, 2010

First time using the video camera, noticed the battery was already run down 1/4 of the way. Recorded maybe about 5 minutes of video and battery is basically dead already. Tried to re-charge, won't charge. Awesome.

 HD Mino 2nd Generation - Aug 23, 2010

I like this!! Easy to use; Easy to Carry, Good quality shootings, and a good sound. Also, it looks good! I particularly like the ease of use while on the go-just point, shoot and move on!-no fumbling around trying to figure out features; it has good low lighting and really good day time video. I recommend it! Oh yeah! it's not bulky-it's almost "apple" like-it's really classy looking. Feels like I have something really special.

 Great "purse" camcorder - Aug 21, 2010

Handy little camcorder to take to soccer, T-ball, the pool, etc. I bought the cords and a case--worth it.

 Perfectly fine for informal, spur-of-the-moment video - Aug 19, 2010

Pros
- Simple, intuitive interface.
- Very portable in size, weight and shape.
- Records sound (well) in stereo.
- It's packaged well and includes a lanyard and nice cloth pouch.
- It has a tripod mount.

Cons
- You can't replace the battery.
- You can't charge it in your car.
- You can't zoom beyond 2x.
- You can't use it (well) in low light.
- You can't record the full 2-hour capacity without at least one battery recharge.
- You'll have a limited field of view because of the small lens.
- It's easy to accidentally hit the touch controls.

More subjectively, the MinoHD is perfectly fine for how my family and I use it: To capture spur-of-the-moment video of our two young children during funny moments or developmental milestones. If we had video-capable smartphones, however, I don't know that we'd need it, as (1) the HD quality and its attendant huge file size seem superfluous, and (2) who wants to carry multiple devices in their pockets?

 Love this camcorder! - Aug 18, 2010

I also own the RCA small wonder, and the regular flip camcorder, but I like this one the best. It's small enough to fit in your pocket or purse, and it works great. The clarity of the videos are amazing, and the sound is awesome. The only thing I haven't figured out yet is how to edit the videos in another program besides the one that comes with the camera, but I'm getting to it.

 BIG DISAPPOINTMENT-90 day warranty - Aug 16, 2010

I purchased this as a Christmas gift (12/2009) for my 13 year old daughter. By May 2010 (shortly after the 90 day warranty ended), it no longer worked. What I thought was a convenient way to plug the camera into the computer, without keeping track of a cord, is somehow broken. The computer won't sense the camera, hence, my daughter can no longer charge the thing. I think the camera probably still works, but this is a MAJOR flaw in the design.

 Should've done my research... and went with the Kodak the 1st time. - Aug 03, 2010

Had our hopes up and made the mistake of not researching this model before buying, simply due to the good reputation of the earlier Flip cam models.

Problems with the USB connector (but finally got it to fit our desk top PC), couldn't even get it to turn on (factory manual says it's "partially charged" from the factory), then couldn't even get it to hold a charge (manual says 3 hours initial charge... had it charging overnight).

We're no novices and we know our way around electronics... and this thing is a piece of touchy garbage. Tried it with our desk top PC, our new laptop PC, as well as our Macbook Pro. No dice.

Do a simple Google search for "Flip Mino HD USB problems" and avoid the same mistake we made by not researching it first.

*** Adding this edit ***

After we returned the defective Flip Mino... we decided to go with a Kodak PlaySport. Higher review ratings, more features (waterproof being one of them), higher resolution and costs substantially LESS than the Flip Mino. In fact we were able to get the Kodak Playsport cam, an extra 16 GB card AND an extra battery for it... for the same price as the Flip Mino by itself!
Anyways... the Playsport arrived yesterday and it is an GREAT little unit. Very user friendly and works perfectly!

 A nice little camcorder - Jul 30, 2010

When our first daughter was born, we bought a nice coke-sized camcorder. At the time it seemed so small in comparison to the ones that our parents had when we were little that were the size of a briefcase.

But as we have traveled in the last three years to see grandparents and vacation, that camcorder has been left behind because we don't have room for it - it seems bulky with all of the other kid gear we have to bring with us.

Which is what I love about the flip. Its size. It is so compact that we can slip it into my purse or diaper bag and it hardly takes up any room.

I also love that it is so simple - it has just a few buttons so it is easy to operate - even my almost three year old can do it! And I love that when you plug it into your computer, the software just pops up and you are easily able to view or download the videos. I have also been really impressed with how long the battery lasts too - we shot dozens of videos before we had to charge it.

I don't think that it has the same quality as our other camcorder and I do not like that there is no way to cover the lens - I am always paranoid that I am going to scratch it - but I am glad we have it as an option.

 Don't get scammed by this product - Jul 30, 2010

I got the Flip mino hd while on holiday as it was small and i thought easy to tote around.It barely lasted the holiday before the it stopped charging.and the wonderful "support" that they tout on their website?not at all helpful.you will get alot of "we apologise for the inconvenience" with NO help to you at all. I reluctantly give this product one star.This product doesn't even rate that.

 Good but there is one (sorta random thing) you should know - Jul 26, 2010

Like the camera but if you want to burn videos to a dvd to specifically play in a dvd player you need the software to do (convert) it.
I was pretty disappointed that flip didn't include it - I think they should have provided something that would have covered that base. I don't think it is too much to ask.

 Still an engineering marvel - and very handy - Jul 24, 2010

Flip created the "instant camcorder" concept. Despite being acquired by Cisco, Flip has continued to innovate. From the viewpoint of someone who appreciates technology and good engineering, the Flip MinoHD is impressive. In a very small package, you can get not quite two hours of good 720p HD video with pretty good audio.

The key thing is to remember that the Flip MinoHD is not a replacement for a full sized camcorder. It has many limitations that its much bigger brothers don't have, which I'll discuss later on.

For convenience the Flip MinoHD is hard to beat. Press one easy to access by intent (but difficult by accident) button to turn the unit on and another button, this time a big red one, to start recording. When that action breaks in front of you, whether it's your kid doing something cute or a demonstrator getting beat up, you're ready to go in an instant. Getting the Flop into action is a lot faster than the process you have to go through with some point and shoot cameras, cell phones, smartphones and even many camcorders.

The 2" TFT LCD viewfinder is adequate for the purpose and the unit is wonderfully small: just about 2 x 4 inches and weighing 4 ounces. The f2.4 lens is protected by a what appears to be a glass cover and the unit could be carried in a pocket, though a small case would be better. The viewfinder, by the way, is very usable in bright daylight.

The field of view I would estimate to be about the equivalent of a 35mm or perhaps slightly longer lens on a 35mm camera. For me, that is too narrow. I would personally prefer a wider field of view. Most of my video is shot from nearby, across a table and such. But I have yet to find a camera in this class with a wider lens. Minimum focus is 0.8 meters, about 2 feet 7 inches, which is good. The 2x digital zoom substantially degrade the image, which is true of all digital zooms.

The 720p out is absolutely outstanding and blow-you-away good. I output it through a mini-HDMI cable (not supplied with unit) and it literally took my breath away. Footage of a person shot under indoor lighting was well balanced in terms of color and sharp as a tack.

The unit turns on with a side switch which, as I said, is difficult to trigger by accident. A large red mechanical button starts and stops recording, while six capacitive buttons handle playback, delete, zoom, navigation and volume functions. The capacitive buttons are about average in terms of sensitivity.

Recorded audio using the "built-in wide-range stereo microphone" is surprisingly good. The built-in speaker is adequate for reviewing playback on the camera.

Charging is handled by a flip-up USB connector which is actuated by a slide switch on the side. Recharging with USB takes about 3 hours. I personally prefer to use a standard USB extension cable, so the unit is not hanging in mid-air from the built-in connector. Such a cable also allows you to use a standard 5v AC adapter. The battery will hold a full charge for several weeks.

When you first connect the Flip MinoHD to your computer, you have the option to download the FlipShare software from the camera to your computer. This applicartion provides you simple download capabilities, basic editing functions and the ability to share the video on major social networks. Like most such software, it is somewhat primitive, though usable.

The internal Lithium battery is allegedly capable of powering the camera for two hours. I'd strongly suggest that you plan on something more on the order of 90 minutes to avoid disappointment. Collecting that much video of an event is unusual, so 90 minutes or somewhat more is probably going to be enough.

In a world of point and shoot cameras, smartphones and small camcorders capable of HD video, does the Flip still have a place? Yes. As a single purpose tool, it is much faster to deploy than any of the alternatives, is smaller than most and produces outstandingly good video.

Does it have failings? Of course. Low-light performance, as you might - and should - expect is not very good. The digital zoom is smooth, but like all digital zoom effects, degrades the image. Other than those two factors, which would be common to any device like this, the Flip MinoHD is simply outstanding.

Jerry

 Very nice, high quality, works/feels good. - Jul 15, 2010

This is an excellent product for what it is, and definitely could replace a larger/bulkier traditional cam-corder for many people.

I think perhaps it's greatest value would be as a first video camera for someone who is less tech-savvy and doesn't want to have to learn a lot of complicated video editing software in order to be able to do anything with the result.

Power users though will probably find this device redundant as they may already have comparable features and quality in video recording with a smartphone, etc. I can't see any reason to have one of these and an iPhone 4 or current Android-based phone for example.

But in terms of features, quality, ease of use, the Flip MinoHD is a very nice and satisfying little device that I've had a lot of fun playing with, and I can say that if this is the type of device you're looking for, then you won't be disappointed at all.

 Where simplicity and high quality come together! - Jul 15, 2010

The Good:

*Small in size, but powerful in HD-quality videos.
*Easy to transfer videos to computer
*East to charge
*Stylish
*Simple Operation


The Bad:

*Battery duration could've been better
*Not many options beside simple zoom


The Bottom Line:

Now you can have the power to record HD-videos from the recorder that will fit even in your tightest skinny pocket. And because this little guy(or girl...whichever one you choose) only weight about 4 ounces, it will not slow you down. If you know somebody that needs a recorder that is simple to use, you cannot go wrong with this one. Transferring videos to your computer cannot be easier with a hidden USB-port on top. HD quality is superb. The only thing to nit-pick here would be the batter power. It seems that every time the 2-hours are used up, you will have to recharge it again. Speaking of recharging, it is also easy and is done through the built-in USB port. For those of us who like to keep it simple and still want the quality, this is the choice for us!

 Great for those family home videos! - Jul 15, 2010

Before it you wanted to take videos of your family is required getting a large video camera, a separate bag for it, and then of course lugging it around all the time and not forgetting it so you can get those candid shot. Now with the FlipHD you can always get those memories on video whenever you want. The quality is simply amazing compared to other competitors on the market. The microphone produces great sound quality, and you rarely need to charge it. If there is one product you want to have to keep your memories intact the FlipHD is the one to have!

 Cool gadget, but whats the point? - Jul 15, 2010

It's very portable and easy to use. But since it cannot take still photos, I would prefer to just carry a digital camera since they can always shoot video. This camera is just one more thing to carry. I don't like that the USB plug is attached. It makes it more difficult to plug into the computer. I find it kind of slippery to use one handed, and I often accidentally press buttons on it.

 Slim HD camcorder, but with multiple limitations - Jul 15, 2010

The Flip Mino HD Camcorder (2nd gen.) is certainly a very small and stylist camcorder, but there are just too many limitations and drawbacks for me to recommend it highly.

First the highlights:
- Records in 720p. I've had no issues with the image quality. Low light performance is mediocre, but I honestly wouldn't expect great performance out of such a small handheld camcorder.
- Simple and intuitive user interface. Easy to pass around and let friends or family take their own video clips.
- Easy to hook up to your PC to download video or simply to charge. This unit did not have any issues with the USB that have been noted by previous reviewers; I tried plugging it into a MacBook Pro on display at Best Buy and it fit just fine.
- Certainly very stylish and a high "wow" factor.

Now the issues / limitations:
- No image stabilzation. Since the Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera has digital image stabilization it is unfortunate that the more expensive Flip does not have this feature.
- The sealed rechargable battery is not user replaceable. I would be OK with that except that according to Jim's review from 04-20-2010 Flip will not replace the battery either, basically making the Flip HD disposable. This is unacceptable in a $200+ product.
- The charging system, while USB, is non-standard. The only way I have found to charge the Flip is by a high speed USB connection to a computer or with the optional proprietary power adapter. I don't understand why Flip would not be designed to work with the large number of generic USB chargers in the market.
- Flip does not sell a car charger, which seems really strange considering that this unit is designed to be portable. And none of the USB car chargers I have will charge the Flip, due to the proprietary charging system noted above.

I have enjoyed using my Mino Flip HD, but due to the above issues I hesitate recommending this unit to someone else.

 Easy to carry in purse, GREAT for outdoors - Jul 15, 2010

I've been evaluating this minicam for a few months, it's been on vacation, in my backyard, around the house, poolside, etc. Overall, I'm pretty impressed how good the image is in such a small package. It's super easy to use, I would even imagine for those who less than tech-savvy. The buttons are easy to use and it's still easy to see the LCD screen on the back in the bright outdoors.

The minicam works decently enough in low light (i.e. indoors, even a dark cathedral), but it's really amazing in regular outdoor situations. On my fairly new laptop, where I do most of my viewing, the HD movies are very crisp with good colors and sound. The person who's holding the camera is very easily heard, quite a bit louder on playback than subjects a little farther away, though I have so say that the microphone is pretty effective overall. The playback/storage software is loaded directly on the Flip itself, so initially, you can plug it in to charge and install the software at the same time <- that's pretty convenient. You can also use regular WINDOWS media player to play back files. I would have liked to try to connect the Flip directly to my LCD TV, but you need a miniHDMI cable, which I don't have:
Flip Video HDMI Cables (Of course, it's a lot cheaper if you get a generic cable.)

My biggest gripe is that there is no protective slide cover for the lens. So you have to be very careful about how you carry this thing around; one bad scratch can you can forget about awesome HD videos. So I resort to using the included carry pouch (which is okay if you put it in your purse, a pain if you're going to stick it in your jean's pocket) which kinda takes away from the stylish factor and adds one extra step to getting it out to use quickly.

It's not fair to compare this to my regular camcorder's, a Canon HF10, overall performance. But my Canon, while small, is still a whole lot bigger and more expensive than this Flip. So, for casual excursions and/or light packers, this is an extremely handy device.

Remember, it's better to have a small camera around to quickly capture spur of the moment memories than to plan to lug around heavy equipment. A lot of professional photographers carry around a small form factor camera, like a Canon ELPH, so they always have something handy if an amazing shot should come up at anytime. Likewise for the Flip HD.

 Nice, easy to use, and no USB problems for me, using my little trick - Jul 15, 2010

We had one of the original Flip recorders and this one is far nicer. There's no way it will replace a bigger, more expensive recorder, but as something to keep with you for spontaneous use, it works well, and the quality is certainly better.

Other reviews have mentioned that they have had problems with the USB plug. I have not, but then I do something that others don't: Rather than plug it directly into the USB port of the computer or laptop, I use a little 6-inch USB "extension cord". This works well and I don't have to worry about breaking anything. (I also use these extention cords to connect thumb drives to desktop computers to avoid the chance that someone will knock the drive while it's inserted and break it off.) There are probably several brands of these, but they can be hard to find (compared to the 3-foot extension ones) so search for something like "Zio".

 Flip has another winner, still better than Vado and Kodak - Jul 14, 2010

I have tried them all ( well, most) and still prefer Flip products.

The ease of use out-of-the-box is important to me, as is packaging, if this is a gift presentation. I have been lucky enough to test/try/use Flip, Vado and several Kodak efforts in the mini-cam arena.

All have their charms, particularly some Kodak's. Time and again, I tend to come back to Flip, just because it is so easy to use, and the Flip Share software is pretty much foolproof.

The MinoHD offers style (all Silver) form and function. Smaller than some Flip's ( and a bit more expensive) , this is truly a cam to put in your pocket or purse, with ease. You will be astounded by how many times you can/will use this on the fly - in the office, at social events, even mass transit.

I used my acid test on this one:

1. The "I cant work anything" office co-workers.
2. The pretty connected senior parents.
3. "I know it all" friends.

Guess what? In all cases, people were taking video's , and sending via email, or posting in under five minutes! That is pretty good, if you ask me. If you are searching for an easy to use camera, you can't go wrong here.

I would suggest a mini-tripod for some shoot's, but it is not essential. This is a keeper! Hope you enjoy it too!

 great for taking instant video but not good for night video taking! - Jul 12, 2010

The flip is great for fast and instant video taking but it is not good for night time video taking. It is too dark if you take in the night. I love the flip.

 smart camcorder - Jul 11, 2010

goes everywhere, easy to use; i've already captured events i would only experience and had to tell family and friends - now i can show them. plus make movies. this is a good addition to my camera collection.

 A Fun Gadget: A Flip MinoHD 2nd Generation Camcorder Review - Jul 10, 2010

I recently moved my Mother from out of state to be near me. Family members where she previously lived wanted to stay in contact. I selected and chose to review the Flip MinoHD model M2120 to record and send video messages from her to those family members.

The Flip MinoDH is a completely self contained compact video camera. The install file for the supporting FlipShare software is stored on the camcorder, and can be installed to a host PC as needed. The Camcorder has recording and playback capabilities as well as a mini HDMI port, on the bottom, for playback using your TV's HDMI port. A cable free USB connector flips out from the top to charge the battery or to manage recordings. A tripod mount exists on the bottom center, plus the included wrist strap connects to the Flip's side. A soft black cloth storage case is used to protect and store the Flip MinoHD when not in use.

The FlipShare software, once installed, will manage all the Flip's recordings. One can select to copy then erase recorded files from the flip to a computer or copy and retain them based on the software's settings. While the software can see the recorded files, they can be played in widescreen format, emailed, uploaded online to FaceBook, MySpace, YouTube, or other web sites, sent as a video greeting card, or uploaded to the Flip Channel, a private sharing web site. Recorded files can be trimmed and spliced together to create movies. Additionally the recorded files can be used to create a snap shot by selecting a frame within the file, or recorded to DVD.

The Flip MinoHD isn't perfect, and has a few concerns worth mentioning. The Flip MinoHD's USB connection method may require removing other connected USB devices. On my PC, the USB ports are side by side. When connecting the Flip MinoHD to my PC, I must remove another USB device. However the USB ports are separated on my laptop, eliminating this problem. Displaying the files on a TV is great for sharing at home, but comes with additional expense of purchasing a mini HDMI to HDMI cable. There is no extending the memory or changing out a dead battery since both are contained within the camcorder. Plus, the Flip MinoHD doesn't have an option to film and view in portrait mode unless you don't mind cocking your head to the side to watch.

Expect the camcorder to shut off automatically if kept still and creating a long recording. I put the camcorder on a tripod and set it up to record a ceremony while I went to do other things. During the recording, it just shut off, presumably to save recording space or battery life. This is a great feature to limit accidental recordings. However, I found no method to override for times when this situation is purposeful.

The Flip MinoHD is simple to use, from filming to using the included user friendly software. It's small size, 4" tall x 2" wide x 5/8" thick, makes carrying and storing convenient while on the go. Plus the recordings are excellent for a camcorder in this price range and size, even in lower light environments. Expect more visible grain when the light source is lower than normal.

The Flip MinoHD does what it promises, and for its price, does so excellently. I can easily record videos to share privately with family or on social media sites with friends. Sharing and managing recorded files is easy using the included FlipShare software. If you are looking for a convenient camcorder at an inexpensive price, consider the Flip Mino HD.

PROS:
Simple to use
Convenient size
Effective recording device
User friendly software

CONS:
USB connector may prevent other USB devices to be connected simultaneously
Mini HDMI cable not included
Battery and memory not accessible

 The MinoHD is standard-issue for my company's blogger corps - Jul 03, 2010

I picked up the Flip MinoHD to use for vlogs (video blogs) for my company's new online community, which I manage. However, the video quality is so excellent that it's replaced my rather bulky (in comparison) family camcorder.

A couple of the bloggers at work initially complained about the sound quality and wanted a camera with an external mic jack. So they both got the Kodak Zi8, which is a lot bigger but does have an external mic jack. However, video editing was complex and they soon went back to the Flip. I do think the Flip's sound quality is more than adequate for not only vlogs, but home videos, too.

I carry mine in my pocket and appreciate how liberating it is to not have to lug around a big camera bag on trips. Plus it's nice to have when walking about town with family and friends, too, to capture fun moments.

That said, this is a point-and-shoot camcorder. There really is not much of a zoom -- in fact I hardly ever use it. The Flip MinoHD is for up-close and personal footage.

The quality of the videos is impressive: true HD! PC users will especially appreciate the intuitive and rather elegant "FlipShare" video editing software. I have a PC and a MacBook Pro. I prefer the FlipShare editor vs. Apple's iMovie because it's a lot easier to use.

Editing your video clips is a snap with FlipShare: there is no learning curve. You can then save your videos/movies onto your computer or share them with friends and family -- or the world via FlipShare "icons" that give you the following sharing options:

* E-mail
* "Greeting cards" (cute e-mail themes like Christmas cards or post cards)
* Upload them to myspace, YouTube or other similar sites
* Burn them to DVDs
* You can also capture high-resolution "snapshots" or photos from videos with one click of the "Snapshot" icon.

To create a move, click the "flip" button on the side of the camera to extend the USB arm and plug it into your computer. Then open the FlipShare software and select the clips you want to include. Next click the "Movie" icon. That begins an easy, self-guiding process to:

1) Add an opening title and closing credits (you don't have to, but it's an option. You can even add a cute "Recorded by Flip Video" animation at the very end, which I opted to do in my video here).

2) You can leave the default sound, or you can add music from the included library of seven songs (or upload a song (mp3 format) from your computer. You can then opt to play the music as soft (or loud) background music and still hear conversations, etc; or you can play only the music, removing the default audio altogether.

3) Name your movie -- then click "Create Movie" and the software does its magic. Done! It's that simple.

I love this little camcorder and recommend it. Two thumbs up!