Flip Video rolls out new HD mini camcorder: The Mino HD
The Mino HD looks identical to the regular Mino.
(Credit: Pure Digital Technologies)With Kodak and RCA putting out so-called HD versions of their YouTube-friendly mini camcorders, we knew it was only a matter of time before Pure Digital Technologies, the maker of Flip Video mini camcorders, put out an HD model of its own.
Calling it the "world's smallest HD camcorder," the $229 Flip Mino HD looks identical to the standard-definition Flip Mino. It weighs just over 3 ounces, boasts 720p resolution, and has 4GB of memory that allows for 60 minutes of recording time. The release also says that the Flip Mino HD features "all-new built-in FlipShare software for easy saving, organizing and sharing of video from your computer." We're not sure how it's different from the software on the existing Mino, but when we get more details, we'll let you know.
Like the standard Mino, you'll be able to customize the look of the Mino HD at theflip.com/store. I did an earlier post on the whole customization thing, and the one drawback is that while the service is free, you do pay the full $229 list price for the product. Most likely, the Mino HD will retail for less on Amazon and other online stores--I'd guess $199.
We'll be getting a review unit in the next few days and have a review up soon. Naturally, we're curious to see just how good the video quality is. In reviewing Kodak's Zi6, we had this to say: "The Kodak Zi6 is technically an HD camcorder the way a tomato is technically a fruit: it meets the definition, but doesn't deliver the experience. True, the Zi6 records video in 1,280x720-pixel resolution at both 30 frames per second and 60fps--720p resolution--which technically qualifies it as an HD camcorder, but a lot of factors go into creating an image, not just a CMOS sensor capable of capturing an image at a certain resolution and frame rate." We expect to have a similar experience with the Mino HD, but Pure Digital Technologies has managed to keep the video quality of its mini camcorders slightly ahead of the pack, so maybe the same will prove true here.
Any comments?
Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter.
I was doing a big write up on my experiences with the Mino - how the convenience factor weighs much heavier in my delight than I thought it would, how the small screen didn't bother me as much as I thought it would, how pleased I was with the sound quality...
And the one thing I wished for was an HD version!
And now there is one and I'm adding them like mad to my shop. I'll also be picking one up for myself again and passing on my regular one.
By the way, plain HD ones are available on Amazon for *full price*, I'd say a designer one is a bargain in that case :)
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February 6, 2009 11:07 AM PST
- Do NOT buy a Flip Mino HD. I bought one for myself in December and gave two to family as Xmas gifts. I just broke the little glass protector in front of the lens. It was just underneath something and broke. I asked Flip customer support about how to fix it - I am willing to pay - and they said that it cannot be repaired and is not covered by warranty. I don't care about a warranty claim but I have now wasted $250 on two months of use. Upon inspection it appears that the galss piece is very fragile and is easily broken so unless you are very careful you could be throwing a lot of money away on this item. My advice is don't buy a Flip Mino HD or the other versions.
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