| Looking for that perfect holiday gift idea for your | | | | when showing your videos to large group of people. |
| child? Or maybe that elusive birthday gift that makes | | | | Here's a list of features you'll find on the Flip Video |
| them jump with joy? I don't know about you, but | | | | software: |
| I'm tired of giving my kids a new toy that they soon | | | | 1) Watch Videos- You can select any video that you |
| forget about. Well, I found a great gift idea that your | | | | recorded and watch it on your computers monitor. |
| child will love! It's called the "Flip Video" camcorder by | | | | 2) Delete Videos- You can delete selected videos |
| Pure Digital Technologies Inc. | | | | that are stored on the camera. Just highlight the |
| The Flip Video can record 60 minutes of color video | | | | video and click delete. |
| at 640 x 480 resolution that is stored on its 1GB of | | | | 3) Save Videos- You have the options of saving to |
| internal memory. This means you won't have to | | | | your computers hard drive or saving for email |
| purchase new videotapes after 60 minutes of | | | | distribution. When you select the email option, the |
| recording. With typical MiniDV camcorder tapes | | | | camera will automatically compress the video down |
| costing as much as $5.00 each, you'll quickly see the | | | | to a smaller size. This comes in handy because most |
| benefits of having internal memory storage. Plus, the | | | | email accounts have size restrictions that do not |
| satisfaction of knowing that your child won't lose or | | | | allow large files to be accepted. |
| break these expensive tapes is just an added bonus. | | | | 4) Make a Movie- You can piece together any movie |
| The Flip Video camcorder was designed with the | | | | that's stored on the camera, add your own music |
| novice camcorder user in mind. Pure Digital claims that | | | | and pick out a movie style. Click 'Make Mix' and the |
| "it's so easy a child can use it". Oh boy; are they right! | | | | software will do the rest. It's a nice way to make a |
| Weighing in at only 4.8 ounces and measuring 4.1 x | | | | compilation of your favorite video clips. |
| 2.3 x 1.3 inches, this small wonder is capable of going | | | | 5) Email and Publish Videos- This is without question |
| anywhere you go. It can easily slip into a pant pocket | | | | my favorite feature. You can email a private video to |
| or be tossed into your kids' book bag. Although a | | | | a friend or loved one. All you have to do is click |
| little small, its 1 ½" color display is a good size | | | | 'Share Greeting', select an eCard design that the |
| for a camcorder with such petite dimensions. What | | | | video will embed itself into, enter an email address |
| really makes this camcorder so special is its simplicity. | | | | and message to the recipient. Once you click ok, the |
| It has only four buttons and a directional pad. | | | | software will convert the video to a smaller file size |
| Here's a quick rundown of the Flip Video buttons: | | | | that is suitable for emailing. The recipient will receive |
| 1) Power Button- Pressing down on it for two | | | | an email with the eCard. All they have to do is click |
| seconds turns the unit on. Same goes for turning the | | | | the card to watch the video. I can't say enough |
| camera off. | | | | about this wonderful feature! As an added bonus, |
| 2) Play Button- Pressing the play button begins | | | | you can also upload your videos to YouTube or AOL |
| playback of the previously recorded video. | | | | Videos for the whole world to see! All it takes is one |
| 3) Delete Button - When pressed, you will be asked | | | | click! With the YouTube revolution going on, your kids |
| if you'd like to delete the previously recorded video. | | | | will LOVE this feature. |
| Press the button one more time to delete or the | | | | The video quality produced by the Flip Video is quit |
| Play button to back out. | | | | amazing for its price. Don't get me wrong; you |
| 4) Record Button- This is the red button in the | | | | cannot compare a Flip video to one captured with a |
| center of the directional pad. Click it once to begin | | | | full-featured MiniDV or HD camcorder that can cost |
| recording. Click it again to stop. I told you it was | | | | over $1,000. I like to compare the Flip Video to what |
| easy! | | | | a very good digital camera can produce when |
| 5) Directional Pad- While recording, you can push up | | | | shooting in movie mode. I own a Canon SD800IS |
| on the directional pad to utilize its 2X zoom or press | | | | digital camera that costs over $300 and I can |
| down to zoom out. While in video playback mode, | | | | honestly say the Flip Video takes better videos. |
| pressing left and right on the pad will cycle through | | | | I saved the best feature for last and that's the price. |
| the videos that are stored on the camera. Find the | | | | You can purchase a 60 Minute Flip Video camcorder |
| video you're looking for and either press play to | | | | for under $120! If you feel $120 is a little too steep, |
| watch it or press delete to remove it from the | | | | you can always opt for the 30-minute model that |
| cameras internal memory. **Note** Once you delete | | | | costs roughly $89. I just gave my son the Flip Video |
| the video, you cannot retrieve it again for viewing. | | | | for his fifth birthday and he absolutely loves it! |
| So be careful and make sure you select the correct | | | | Watching him run around the house taking videos of |
| video for deletion. | | | | our family is priceless! Plus, when your little one is |
| To watch a movie on a traditional camcorder, you | | | | recording, you get to see the world from their point |
| have to break out the output cables that came with | | | | of view, which is really something special. |
| the camcorder, plug them into the camera, find the | | | | At this point, I'm sure you're tired of hearing me rave |
| input jacks on your TV, plug in the cables and tune | | | | about how great this little camcorder is. Well check |
| your TV to the proper input channel. As you can see, | | | | out what the experts had to say about the Flip |
| it's not that easy. The Flip Video is the complete | | | | Video! Business Week was quoted as saying "A |
| opposite. Just push down the little switch located on | | | | Sweet and Simple Camcorder". The Detroit Free |
| the side of the camera and "FLIP!" out comes the | | | | Press said "Amazingly High Quality Video" and the |
| USB Connector. Plug the camera into any open USB | | | | Wall Street Journal wrote "Startlingly good video, |
| port on your computer and watch the Flip Video | | | | Indoors and Outside". Pure Digital recently released |
| open up the software that's already stored on the | | | | the Flip Video "Ultra" with an enhanced feature set |
| camera. That's it! Without the need to install | | | | that looks to be even better than the original. The |
| software on your computer, you can immediately | | | | price tag is $40 more but I'm sure it's worth it. |
| begin enjoying the movies you recorded. The Flip | | | | The bottom line is if you really want to surprise your |
| Video does come with a cable that enables you to | | | | kid with a great gift, you can't do any better than |
| plug the camera in to a TV just like a conventional | | | | the Flip Video camcorder. It will make your whole |
| digital camcorder. This accessory comes in handy | | | | family smile! |