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Flip Video UltraHD Review

Author	James Morris
Published	13th Jul 2009
Manufacturer	Flip Video
Supplier	Amazon.co.uk
Price	£139.12 (Exc VAT)
as reviewed	£159.99 (Inc VAT)
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Flip may have pioneered the idea of pocket Internet video cameras, but it has been a little bit slow moving up to HD. The diminutive Mino was the first to be updated (to the MinoHD naturally], and Creative had already beaten it to the punch with the Vado HD. Now, at last, the original Ultra has taken a step higher on the resolution ladder.

The UltraHD doesn't look significantly different to the standard-definition Ultra. It's a few millimetres fatter, but you would be hard pressed to notice even when the two are placed side-by-side, and it will fit just as easily in your pocket. However, where the Ultra is available in four different liveries, including pink and yellow, the UltraHD takes a more monochromatic approach and can only be purchased in white or black.

Inside, the UltraHD bears a lot of similarity to the MinoHD. It uses the same 1/4.5in CMOS sensor, and records video exclusively at 1,280 x 720 with 30 progressive frames per second, using a 9Mbits/sec data rate. But the video compression system is Flip's Video Engine 3.5 rather than 3.0, and the UltraHD also sports 8GB memory, twice that of the MinoHD. This means it can store two hours of footage, but as with all previous Flips there is no option to upgrade capacity via removable storage.

One thing you can swap out is the battery. The original Flip Ultra relied on AA cells, so you could simply pop in new ones if you ran out of power when out and about. The Mino, on the other hand, traded this flexibility for the space saving afforded by a built-in rechargeable battery. The UltraHD takes a third route, still using AA cells but with a rechargeable pack included in the box. This is topped up every time you plug the unit in via its USB connection, and lasts over two hours. But if you run out of juice on the road, you can still just pop in some alkaline cells instead.

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farki80 said on 13th July 2009

iPhone is no where near the video capabilities of most Nokia N-series.

Tony Walker said on 13th July 2009

@wayne Harris

The Panasonic TZ7 camera is excellent at recording in those environments. There's some fine examples in the forums over at Digital Photography Rev... more

James Morris said on 13th July 2009

@farki80 Don't want to get into phone wars here, as it's a matter of taste. But a lot of people reckon the iPhone is miles easier to use than any Nokia N series!

sd-dubai said on 27th September 2009

Hi,

While talking of pocket camcorders I wonder why every site, every review speaks only of the Flips & Kodaks, while safely avoiding the Toshiba Camileos. I guess the Flips are damn good, but being not available (generally) outside the US, we mortals need to do with the other models.

I bought my Camileo S10 few days back, did some heavy duty shooting around and let me assert here that this is a preety good camcorder, as well.

I took a whole day, visiting various retailers, testing the Sony Webbie, Kodak Zx1, Aiptek z700, Xacti CG10 and the Camileo P30 & S10, besides the Samsung ST550 [TL225 elsewhere] (a Digital Camera doing 720p HD). These were the compact camcorders available here (Flip Ultra HD, Samsung U10 & Kodak Zi8 are not yet marketed here) and settled down for the Camileo S10 due to:
1. Great form factor.
2. Lightest among all.
3. *Best HD clips (2nd was Aiptek z700).
4. *2nd best Still shots (best was Aiptek z700), but very-very good.
5. **Li-ion Battery (keeps the device slimmer).
6. ***Upto 32 Gb SD Card compatible.
7. Got an 8 Gb SD card free from the store.
8. Similar priced; under USD 160/- [the CG10 is a bit costlier (and the P30 is no better, but bigger)].
9. HDMI port (a must, so that we enjoy Full HD footage on an FHD TV).
10. ****Deal breaker: Slips easily into my shirt pocket, with ZERO bulge.

*Both clips & shots analyzed by playing on a 42" FHD LCD TV. [remember, it shoots just one step lower than 1080p, which is as good as 1080p, an ordinary guy like me would'nt notice the difference at all].
**Bought another Li-ion battery for Stand-by (these are the same as used in most of the cameras & camcorders; thus, readily available - not proprietary; costed only USD 8/-).
***Note: standard SD card, NOT Micro SD; thus, cheaper.
****The S10 is a Flat device, half the thickness of my cigarette pack (B&H 20's) and only half inch taller than it.

EDITING & BURNING DVD:
I edited the clips & burnt a (regular) DVD - and wow! the movie was stunning. To note here, the supplied ArcSoft Suite is "just OK", but I had no problem making my DVD thru the Cyberlink PowerDirector Express, which is a good movie software and came with my JVC HD7.

MY VERDICT:
Friends, don't have any 2nd thoughts. If the 10 pointers I mentioned above are also your considering factors, go for the Camileo S10.

It is better than the rest. AND be assured, the vids are VERY SIMILAR to that of a Hi-End HD Camcorder (I have one), if you can overcome the top-notch movies you get from them due to their manual controls. But then, we are talking about a "Pocket Camcorder", whose basic purpose is to carry everywhere and shoot at the spur of the moment and under 1/10th of the price the Camileo S10 is a steal.

I am deeply satisfied with my Camileo; and so would be you!!!

Regards.

{Ps.: The Samsung ST 550 (TL225) is a too good digital camera though, but is double the price. It's Stills are mind blowing, but the Video is lagging behind Camileo S10. I was about to purchase it until I fully tested the Camileo S10}.

Hi,

While talking of pocket camcorders I wonder why every site, every review speaks only of the Flips & Kodaks, while safely avoiding the Toshiba Camileos. I g... more

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