Flip Video Adds HD to the Mino

By Michael Santo
Editor-in-Chief, RealTechNews

Well, I’m back. You may have read about my wife and I having our first baby. And that’s meant no posts from me for a while. But I’m back, at much as I can while helping care for a newborn.

I’ve written about Pure Digital Technologies and its Flip line of camcorders several times in the last few months. Once it was for the introduction of the Flip Mino, next when NPD ranked them the #1 selling camcorder, and most recently when they launched their personalization service.

Not bad for a camcorder that has taken the market by storm for its ease-of-use, size and simplicity. And to this point, Pure Digital has always maintained it wanted to resist “feature creep.” But on Wednesday Pure Digital announced they’ve added at least one feature: HD recording.

The new Flip Mino HD has an MSRP of $229.99, or $50 the standard definition version. If it weren’t for the economy, I’d probably buy one, despite the fact that we already purchased a Flip Video Ultra.

Still, I have one objection to the Mino vs. the Ultra: built-in rechargeable batteries. I prefer the Ultra’s ability to use AAs.

In their emailed press release, Jonathan Kaplan, Pure Digital’s chairperson and CEO said:

“Consumers have embraced Flip Video because it delivers on the promise of making video simple, affordable, and fun. Flip MinoHD, along with our new FlipShare software, now make it easy for anyone to capture and share their stories in stunning HD quality.”

Specifications are as follows:

• Weighing only 3.3 ounces, MinoHD is the world’s smallest HD camcorder
• Features a super-slim, super-sleek design that fits into any pocket or purseSimple user interface features one-touch recording and digital zoom, making HD video easier and more fun than ever
• Holds 60 minutes of HD-quality video on 4 GB of built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards required
• Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your computer to launch built-in FlipShare software
• Built-in FlipShare software lets you save and organize your videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, email your videos, and upload them directly to YouTube, MySpace, and AOL Video
• Internal Li-ion battery recharges through built-in USB arm while you’re plugged into your computer
• Produces incredible HD 720p (1280 x 720 resolution at 30 frames per second; 16:9 widescreen) video you’ll be able to enjoy on your HDTV
• Records high-quality MP4 files that can be easily dragged and dropped into iTunes, iMovie, and iPhoto
• Watch videos instantly on TV with included connector cable
• Instant playback, pause, fast forward, rewind, zoom , and delete functions

Yes, it’s not 1080p, but it’s still HD (there are already complaints about that floating around Amazon.com). If you want that resolution, get out the regular camcorder. The Flip is perfect for the person who wants to keep it in their pocket and catch those moments that would normally be missed.

This is all pretty familiar to users of the Flip series of camcorders except for FlipShare. That was announced today as well. Since everything today seems to be about social networking and sharing, it was inevitable that changes would be made to the built-in software in the Flip (you don’t actually install anything; the software runs from the camcorder) to allow easy sharing.

FlipShare’s drag-and-drop interface allows all Flip owners to organize, edit and share their videos in either standard or, for consumers using the new Flip MinoHD, high definition. FlipShare enables fast and simple video emailing and seamless uploading to YouTube, MySpace, and AOL Video. Users can also create custom movies, complete with music and credits, and capture HD still photos from their videos. The software is fully compatible with Windows and Apple’s Mac OSX and integrates with QuickTime, iMovie, and iDVD.

The software comes built in on the new Flip MinoHD and will be available on all Flip Video camcorders later this year. FlipShare is also available as a free download from TheFlip.com.

You can download the software now, and it installs on your PC. Which isn’t as convenient as having it on the camcorder itself, as I mentioned earlier, but … according to the company, the software will detect when a Flip is connected via USB, and upgrade the software on the camcorder. Way cool, as that’s one of the things I love about the Flip.