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View Full Version : Flip video help, please, before tomorrow's musical!


Pixieflip
03-17-2011, 05:41 PM
Hi! I've googled and searched here, too, still no help.

My dad gave me his flip video camera a couple of years ago, but never had an instruction book for me. We used it on a trip to WDW, but eventually it needed charged.

I can't figure out how to charge it! Probably really simple, but I'm stuck. Anyone have an idea on an older Flip? Thanks!

My DD14 is in a musical at school tomorrow and I just realized I'd really love to have her solos on video. They won't be recording it.

oogieboogieman
03-17-2011, 05:48 PM
Plug the flash drive that is connected to your Flip into the computer USB slot and that should charge it. I have a Flip Mino HD but as far as I know all Flip camcorders have some kind of flash drive built into the camera itself. Hope that helps you!

safetymom
03-17-2011, 06:18 PM
My Flip takes 2 AA batteries.

WilsonFlyer
03-17-2011, 06:27 PM
As stated above, probably a mini USB connector and it will charge directly from your PC/laptop's USB port with the right cable. DL the Flip software from TheFlip.com. It's not great but actually worth getting because it can retrieve firmware updates for your Flip if it has any.

If it's really old, it may actually have a connector that "flips" out and plugs directly in. Hence the name, "The Flip". ;)

You'll love your Flip, for what it is. I keep my MinoHD (WAY outdated now but fine still) in my pocket all the time at Disney.

WilsonFlyer
03-17-2011, 06:30 PM
Plug the flash drive that is connected to your Flip into the computer USB slot and that should charge it. I have a Flip Mino HD but as far as I know all Flip camcorders have some kind of flash drive built into the camera itself. Hope that helps you!

Plug the flash drive into your PC? Huh?

The memory on the Flip is not removable. Wouldn't charge the camera anyway. See above. :)

oogieboogieman
03-17-2011, 08:09 PM
Plug the flash drive into your PC? Huh?

The memory on the Flip is not removable. Wouldn't charge the camera anyway. See above. :)


You are correct, it's not a flash drive. I believe it is refered to as a USB arm that plugs into the USB port on your computer.

Pixieflip
03-17-2011, 11:18 PM
Okay, so it's plugged in and I can view what's already on the camera. I've left it plugged into the USB for over 7 hours and it doesn't seem to want to power up.

Thank you for your response! What am I missing now? ANy ideas?

Pixieflip
03-17-2011, 11:20 PM
Okay, wait. Now we're on to something... hang on...



Nope nevermind. It still says low battery and quickly dies. I'm going to make sure it's plugged in and leave it overnight. Here's to hoping it works!

Pixieflip
03-17-2011, 11:44 PM
:rolleyes1

It takes BATTERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a secret little compartment!!! Sheesh.

:worship::worship::worship: Thanks everyone! Now we can video the musical tomorrow night!

Amy
03-18-2011, 08:03 AM
Just to add - my Flip is about 2 years old. It seems to take forever to charge (maybe 5 hours or so) and then the charge doesn't last all that long. A couple of weeks ago I was recording DS's band concert, maybe 45 minutes total. I would stop the recording between songs, and I wasn't zooming (the little zoom that it has) in and out a lot, but by the time it was on the last song, I was getting the low battery warning. I asked DH about it (he's an electrical engineer and knows about this kind of stuff) - my Flip can record either 60 or 90 minutes, and it just doesn't make sense to me that a fully-charged batter won't last that long. He said that once the rechargeable batteries get old, they just won't hold a charge as long, and that I'd actually be better off using regular batteries.

So.....even though the Flip comes with a rechargeable battery pack, since it can accept regular AA batteries, you're better off using regular batteries.