Flip Video MinoHD (second generation) Video

Flip Video MinoHD (second generation) Video Transcript

>> David: Hi, I'm David Carnoy, Executive Editor for CNET.com and I'm here with the new Flip Video MinoHD; this is actually the premium version of the MinoHD and Flip is calling it the Second Generation MinoHD. On the surface, at least, this MinoHD looks a lot like the older MinoHD but there are some differences. For starters this one has a brushed metal body, it comes in silver but you can customize it if you order it through the Flip Video site. Flip has also rounded off the edges a bit so it's a little bit sleeker looking, and also there's a larger 2 inch LCD on the back. And the trademark Flipout USB connector just is better designed; it's got a smoother action to it. You do get 8GB of memory versus 4GB of memory that allows you to store 2 hours of HD video versus just 1 hour. The battery life is, basically, the same at 2 hours. The same battery lithium-ion built-in and there's the same tripod mount on the bottom of the camcorder. There's also an HDMI connector; this is new for the Flip Video line. The only problem is that there is no HDMI cable that comes with the unit you just get a little carrying pouch. But, also, the back of the Mino is a fingerprint magnet and you'll have to wipe down the back of the device. Flip designs all its pocket camcorders to be really simple to use. You just set the date and the time and the language of the menu system then you just hit the red button to record and the play button to play back your videos. You can only record in one resolution, that's 720P, that's 1280 by 720, that's HD video. It does look very good for a pocket camcorder. It is not, however, the high resolution 1080P video that you're finding on some new camcorders like Kodak's Zi8. As with all Flip Video pocket camcorders the software is built into the camcorder itself and it's very easy to share your videos and edit them to using that software package. Flip has added something called Magic Movie, which allows you to stitch together your various clips and it automatically turns it into a movie with some transitions for you. You can then share that video with social networking sites like MySpace. New to this addition is a quick-link button to Facebook. You can also upload these videos directly to YouTube. One of the things that this phone doesn't do well is focus up-close on things, there's no macro mode. There's also no electronic image stabilization so you want to keep your hand as still as possible while you're shooting or use a tripod. Apart from that we really did like this new version of the MinoHD. The design is sleeker, it does feel nice in your hand when you're shooting and it's just all in all a little bit more luxurious feeling. Unfortunately you do pay a bit of a premium for this premium model, it's list price is $230 but if you can live with that high price you are getting one of the best pocket camcorders on the market. I'm David Carnoy and that's the Flip Video MinoHD Second Generation. ^M00:02:58 [ Music ]