FLIP Camcorders?

[kristenrice]

I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive "camcorder" to take on our trip this April. I like the idea of the FLIP camcorders. They seem so small and simple, but I have a few questions...

First, although they have an internal memory (the one I'm looking at is 8GB), can they also accomodate memory cards of some type?

Second, I am interested in transferring the movies from the camera to my computer and then burn it onto a DVD. How is the picture quality? How easy is it to do this? The information I've read says you just plug the USB into your computer to instantly transfer the video to post on sites such as YouTube. I don't want to post it online, but rather store it into my computer.

I was thinking that we would record stuff up to the maximum capacity, download it onto the computer, and then start over again. Memory cards would be so much easier, but the camcorders that do that are in the $300 range....a little more than I am interested in spending.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[The Iron Giant]

We just got one a few weeks ago and love it.

There is no slot for a memory card, but you can get 2 hours of HD video on the internal memory which is pretty good. If you need more on your trip you can do as you already mentioned and just download the videos to a laptop every few days to make more space.

The FLIP comes with basic editing software right on the internal memory - so no need to install any software. It boots up as soon as you plug it in to the computer.

I prefer a little more advance editing features so I use another program to put together our movies, but that's not necessary for most people.

We bought the FLIP Ultra HD instead of the Mino as the Ultra HD has a little better video and it also has stereo sound which the Mino doesn't. Its not much bigger than the Mino and its cheaper to boot

 

[agnes!]

No memory card, it's internal. That's the one thing I don't like about the various Flips. Other than that, I think they are one of the most wonderful things ever invented. My DD uses ours all the time for school group projects (which is a BLESSING after we went through the Group Project From H*** a few years ago). The built-in software is easy to set-up and to use, no glitches and we think the picture quality is great. My DD filmed her cousin's wedding this fall (which is why we ended up getting the 2-hour Flip....that darn internal memory) and did up a truly-stunning official DVD.

*** - One of the other kids said "Oh, we have a camera, I can do it on my computer, it'll be easy"...

Oh my, the project turned into probably the WORST school project we ever went through as a family. Turned out the camera they used didn't work with that family's computer, there wasn't any editing software, the kid who volunteered had never really done a video on their equipment...it was AWFUL.
So that's the reason we finally dumped our ancient(as in 6, maybe 7+ years-old) PC, bit the bullet and got an iMac and FLIP camera(s), an older one with a 1-hour capability and a newer HD one with 2-hour capability. And life is gooooood every time she has to do one of these video projects. I just decided that her grade would never again be held hostage by someone else's system.
And yes, they might not do it in your areas but the teachers around here do assign presentations as group projects in high school, they can be either in-person or a DVD. So the bonus will be that you'll get the Flip for a Disney trip and your kids will be able to use it for group projects .

Shop around for the best deal. We got our one at Costco and one at Best Buy, Amazon.Com also usually has them in-stock and their prices are pretty good as well.

agnes!

 

[kristenrice]

Thanks for the input!!

My interest in the FLIP was piqued when I got an e-mail from AMEX saying that they are having a "members only" sale next week. They are selling the FLIP HD for $89.99, but they only have 25 for sale. I figure that I will try to get one if they are worth it, which it sounds like they are.