Flip video camera--how are they?

[najla86]

Flip Video Camcorder - Digital Camcorder | Flip Video

Does anyone have one of these? I keep seeing commercials everywhere. How's the quality--would it be good enough to watch on a TV, or is it better suited for filming funny cat videos?

[andalee-oriental]

I would say the quality is decent. This video of me dancing was made on a flip camera:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbDO_NAD2qQ]YouTube - Andalee Oriental Dance Hayyarti 'albi[/ame]

My boyfriend works at a university and his department has switched over all of their camcorders to flip cameras. They film classes and it has made their process so much easier. Not sure if that helps.

[Jaseena]

I had one. Yes, the quality is pretty good for a 100.00 camcorder, but if something happens to it, you have to mail it back to the manufacture and you may/may not get the original back. I had a problem with mine and sent to be fixed, by the manufacture. I got back a "reconditioned" flip, not a new one. That reconditioned flip camcorder was also broken. Don't waste your money on them. Spend the extra dough (if you can) and get a phone with video capability ;)

[amarasdance]

We have a Flip- it's ok. Bought it revonditioned for maybe $40. It was worth it. I've used it to get some cute videos of the kids, as well as film clips of some of my husband's gigs (he's a musician). I think he's filmed me a time or 2. The quality is ok- not great, but not terrible. I wouldn't use it for anything pro, but for things that aren't life or death, it works ok. (How's that for lukewarm? But it's honest.)

[bintbeled]

I love mine, but it's not our only video camera. I keep mine in the studio and use it to video students so they can see exactly what they're doing and we can discuss it while we're both watching. The quality of the video is pretty good, and it's super-easy to use and to upload.

[Nepenthe]

I have one but my issue is that you really have to be far away because it's super-zoomed in. It's not bad in low-light either as you'll see in my sample.

However if you'd like to see a sample, I filmed my teacher and its on youtube.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdpdvCs9emQ]YouTube - Najmat_Drum[/ame]

[toria_dances]

My teacher uses one in class and the videos she sends us are clear, and of good quality

[nitara]

I have an older Flip, and it's fun. Very easy to use, but definitely of the "let's video the cat" quality. The new HD ones should be a lot better, though!

[najla86]

Hmmm, seems like it depends a lot on the model. I think taking the average of everyone's reviews, the movie mode on my regular digital camera is probably about the same quality.

Thank you all for the clips/advice! It's hard to get a feel for something until you see it in action

[Taj]

I think it's a pretty good buy if you don't already have a digital camera with video capability. A friend of mine has one and I would say the video/audio is decent for the price. Easy to use, cheap--an affordable, good tool for recording yourself for study, or workshop choreographies.

[Nepenthe]

I like that it's smaller than my digital camera, but my digital camera does actually take slightly better video!

[Suhira]

I purchased mine after finding glowing reviews online. After a short while it started locking up and then sometimes my computer wouldn't recognize it. It has not worked properly once when I really really needed it too. If you google flip camera problems or complaints you will find that a lot of people have problems with the camera and the tech support. There are also now people reporting online that the batteries are getting super hot, I've never had that issue but mine depletes the batteries really fast (even the lithium type.) My advice based on my personal experience is since there are now lots of mini DVR's I'd look into those first.