Recording high-definition video doesn’t need to be an intimidating experience and that’s precisely the philosophy that we find behind the Flip line of pocket camcorders. It started out with Pure Digital, which was then acquired by Cisco Systems, and now we find a new generation of video recording fun.
In addition to an upgraded Flip UltraHD, we also find an updated Flip MinoHD pocket camcorder in time for the 2010 holiday shopping season. The naming of the model gets a little confusing, because it’s still the Flip MinoHD, but it should not be confused with its predecessors of the same name.
Features and Highlights
The new Flip MinoHD, as before, is available in two different capacities. The model being reviewed here is the 8GB or “two hour” version and it comes wrapped up in a slick black paint job. There is also a 4GB or “one hour” model with many of the same features and specs.
You’re not going to get a quantum leap forward with this newest generation of Flip camcorders. While some competitors have made the jump to 1080i or even 1080p HD video, the Flip MinoHD is still doing 720p HD video. This is usually good enough for most consumers, but it’s a bit of a shame that Cisco/Flip didn’t make the jump.
However, what Cisco did do is improve upon the video quality by adding 60 frames per second (fps) recording and a new image stabilization that should decrease the number of shakey videos making it onto YouTube. We’ll get more into how well this new feature works in a little bit.
As before, you get a flip-out USB connector, touch-sensitive controls, a big red “record” button, and a relatively simplified interface that’s friendly to even the most tech-apprehensive folks in the crowd.
The Flip MinoHD 8GB (as tested) sells for $229 US while the smaller MinoHD 4GB sells for $179 US.
What’s Included in the Box?
There are no real surprises when opening up the box for the 2010 iteration of the Flip MinoHD. It has remained largely unchanged from the older Flip cameras, aside from a couple aesthetic alterations.
Inside the box is another box with a nice soft finish to it. Flipping open that box, we discover the Flip MinoHD itself. Removing this panel, we find the supporting documentation, a wrist-strap, and a protective carrying pouch that doubles as a cleaning cloth.
There is no wall charger. There is no USB extension cable. Even though there’s a mini-HDMI port in the base of the MinoHD, there’s no HDMI cable included either. These are all optional accessories. Even so, there’s enough in the box to get you started.
Audio and Video Quality
So, has there been any major change in the audio and video departments? While this is largely subjective (as well as being subject to so many environmental factors), I didn’t find too much to suggest that the 2010 Flip MinoHD is a vast improvement over the model that it replaces.
And this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While the interface on the Flip pocket camcorders is decidedly simple, there is a lot of “automatic” stuff happening in the background. They’re adjusting ISO, white balance, and other settings to provide the best possible video. And it works quite well. Contrast this to the poor white balance and too-narrow angle lens of the Samsung HMX-U10, for instance. I did find that the microphone is quite directional; you have to be “looking” at your subject to pick up the sound the best.
Image Stabilization at Work
The new Flip MinoHD (and the new UltraHD, for that matter) comes with image stabilization. So, does it work? In short, yes. Yes, it does. I shot a couple Dot Com Pho episodes with the older UltraHD and older MinoHD, and then I shot a couple more with the new MinoHD. Based on a quick comparison, the latter were much more stable.
For a better test, I attached both the older Flip MinoHD and the newer 2010 version of MinoHD to the passenger headrest in my car using a couple of Joby Gorillapods. You can see the side-by-side comparison in the video above. It’s very noticeable that the older Flip picked up all the little bumps in the road, whereas the newer MinoHD was able to remain relatively stable. It’s like night and day.
You shouldn’t expect it to work miracles, but it will do a good job of minimizing the unstable video that can result from hand shakiness, bumpy roads, and other similar circumstances.
Now that we have side by side video to compare, it does appear that the new Flip MinoHD’s video quality has been tweaked. The picture definitely looks a bit brighter and more realistic due to better color balance. It appears that much of the work is indeed behind the scenes on the MinoHD while still being as easy to use as ever.
A Look at the FlipShare Software
Yes, the software is the same as what you’d be able to get with other pocket camcorders from the Flip range. Even if you buy an older one, you can upgrade to the newest software completely free of charge. Even so, this “free” feature is very much worth mentioning.
No, the included FlipShare software is not going to offer the same level of customization and power as something like Pinnacle Studio HD Ultimate Collection. However, it does offer quite a bit for novices and beginners. It’s even easier to use than Windows Movie Maker and it allows for direct sharing online.
In addition to the video greeting card feature (which actually uploads the video to Cisco’s servers for free online storage), there is an interesting feature called Magic Movie. It’s not as robust as the trailer function in iMovie 11, but it’s similar in that it will extract “interesting” clips from the videos you select and put together a quick compilation complete with transitions. I used it for my Ghost Train video, for instance.
Closing Thoughts
After all is said and done, the 2010 iteration of the Flip MinoHD is still a nice piece of kit. It retains all of the positives of the models that preceded it, while adding in a slick black paint job, and much needed image stabilization. The updated FlipShare software is also more functional and has kept up with the times adding social media to the mix. While this was a great and innovative product before, it’s merely a good and solid product now. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s simple formula is easy to replicate.
Today, you can pick up any number of competing pocket camcorders with more features, 1080i recording, and other features that this one does not have. It can’t take photos, for example and other brands are starting to catch on to the easy to use craze created by Flip Video. You might be better off buying a $200 point-and-shoot digital camera that can also do 720p video. Still, none of these types or products make capturing video as fun or easy as the Flip does, which is the primary focus of the line up.
Just like how Cisco’s Valet routers aren’t enterprise class, but you’d be hard pressed to find a more easy router to setup. Taken for what it is, the Flip MinoHD does the job it sets out to do.
Pros
- Trusted and true “simple” interface
- Fun FlipShare desktop software included
- Image stabilization works great
- Audio and video quality is quite good
Cons
- Still doesn’t take still photographs
- No included wall charger or USB extension cable
- No user-replaceable battery or storage
- Not that different from outgoing models
Overall Rating: 8.0/10.0
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Flip MinoHD Pocket Camcorder (2010 Edition) – Photo Gallery
