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There are also options to email the video, which actually uploads the video to www.theflip.com and sends out the link to the recipient. Emailing videos doesn't use your built-in email client, so can be performed from any PC. The email greeting uses a similar system, but with the video embedded in a graphical template design.

The software even has editing facilities. You can change a clip's in and out points before uploading, and a version of the Muvee automatic editing software is also included. Muvee will mix your video for you according to a chosen template - No Style, Nostalgic, and Kaleidoscopic, Playdate, Classic, and Journal. This cuts up the video clips and edits them to music, either from the chosen style or a separate file. Or you can have no musical background at all. The results will then be entered into the library for sharing via any of the methods already described.

This all means the Flip software takes much longer than the Vado's to load up when you plug it in, which in turn takes some of the edge off the ‘quick upload' functionality of this camcorder format. But it could also lure unsuspecting, occasional videomakers into doing more sophisticated things with their footage. However, if you just want to see what your videos look like on a TV, a minijack is integrated and the cable is included in the box for attaching via composite video and RCA audio.

Verdict

The Flip Video Ultra isn't quite as svelte and pocket-friendly as the Creative Vado, which you can pop in a pocket like a mobile phone. But its better image quality in low light and much more extensive software features give it the edge. The Vado is cheaper, but you have to pay extra even for a video cable. So the Flip Video Ultra, with its range of fun accessories, is the device most likely to be the video sharer's camcorder of choice.

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