The Flip video camcorder is really what an easy to use, beginner camcorder should be. The Flip is small with a nice design that feels good in the hand. The absolute best part about it is just how easy and simple it is to use, especially for people who are not "techies," are not making movie, they just want to record some memories and have some fun. Not only is the camcorder's interface simple to use, but so is the included software and cords. The camera comes with a cord for both the computer and for television viewing- and this is not the kind that you'll have to call the family IT person to figure out how to use! The battery holds a decent charge and it is rechargeable. As far as the video and audio quality goes, it's okay. Really nothing special. But for someone just wanting to record things easily for fun, this could really work for them. There's technically a zoom, which is better than no zoom a guess.

sakiko

USA

I bought this Flip camcorder about 3 years ago. I wanted something to take video without using my camera and it's memory card. So far i have only used it the first year of owning it. I like the size of it and the idea of having it. Trying to charge it takes forever. I have to plug it into the computer and if the computer goes to sleep and so does the charging. I have not been able to give it a full charge because i don't want to keep babysitting it. I could just change the batteries. The videos it takes are not bad for what it is. Can be grainy at times. If i use the zoom on it. Performance It is okay for what it is. It is easy to use. Once powered on it has a zoom in/ out button, a button to see what you have just done and one for taking video. Nothing more, it is very basic no extras at all. Battery Life It is hard to charge and keep charged. Have to plug into a computer to charge it and keep track of it to make sure it still is charging. It takes half a day to charge which is way to much to be plugged into a computer. Wish it was just a plug into the wall charger type. Durability Have not had any problems with durability of the recorder. Still looks new like i have never used it. But really i haven't like i thought i would. Ease of Use It is a point and click kind of recorder.

ginnyblue

USA

The Flip Video Camcorder is fun and easy to use.  I have used other camcorders in the past and had really nice quality videos but it always seemed an effort to use other camcorders.  This one was unbelieveably simple.  I love that it uses ordinary batteries so I don't have to worry about charging it.  I love that there are so few buttons to use.  It almost seems too easy.  It does everything I need it to do.  Record, playback, download, delete.  I probably have more video recordings of my children in the past few months than I did the first few years with my previous camcorder.  It also seems less obtrusive than most camcorders making it easier to take videos at family gatherings.  As far as the quality is concerned, it's good but not great.  And by good, I mean kind of mediocre. It shouldn't be a replacement for a good camcorder.  In some ways, it's a bit like a toy, but a really fun and functional one.  You'll get lots of fun moments but the best ones should still be recorded by a quality camcorder.

NightCat

Nashua, NH

I purchased the Flip a couple of years ago to take quick home videos of my kids around the house. It is super portable and very easy to use. It is perfect for around the house and for kids sporting events....but don't expect much more out of it than that. The zoom is practically non-existent but I think the sound quality is good on the video and the clarity of the picture is very nice. Downloading the videos is very easy and the memory is acceptable. One down side is that there isn't any external memory capabilities. After two years I recently upgraded to a more versatile camcorder with additional options and a better zoom, however I will still sometimes grab the Flip for quick, close videos around the house. Additionally,It has proven to be very durable as the kids have now taken control of it as their own and are making movies with it....it's been dropped, tossed and smudged but cleans up well and is still holding up fine.

maryss

Utica, MI

To start with, I got the flip camcorder as a promotional gift from TD bank by opening a checking account with their manhattan branch. I read few reviews and since I didn't have any camcorder I went on with the offer. The flip camcorder is very light and does it job effectively but somehow I don't like it. The one I got comes with non-rechargeable batteries so I have to replace the batteries after 3-4 hours of video recording and I still don't know when the battery will drain out. The screen is too small and I would have loved to see a bigger screen so doesn't have to connect to PC to view my videos. The camcorder is good for its price and since I got it for free, I am still using it but I would love to get a better camcorder which has more features to it.

Nidhigwari

Jersey City, NJ

Obviously being a first generation product, you'd think that this Flip would be out of date. You'd be wrong. I have been happily using my fliip for several years, all with great video quailty. The easy to use userface, in combination with the easy to upload videos system, make this a great product that those looking for a video camera should consider. Obviously if you're looking for a bit more updated product, I'd go with the newer flip products. That being said, this is a still a great product. The fundamentals don't change, and that's what makes even the older ones great. The hour long recording capabilities make this ideal for silly city use, although if you're planning to make a documentary, I'd suggest a more customizable video camera.

AlexRosales

Cypress, CA

Flip cameras came in to the market almost too late. Before them, camcorders had been dominated by designs that were, honestly, too complex for most uses. The Flip camera completely rethinks the concept with an eye towards simplicity, which works excellent for casual users. The eye on simplicity means there are no "features", but there doesn't need to be. You turn it on, you hit record, and you hit record again when you're done! The simplicity (and the very fast boot-up time) means that capturing home movies becomes second nature, rather than a hassle, meaning you tend to take more videos that you would normally have avoided in the past because it was too cumbersome. The Flip solves this problem and deserves awards for that alone.  Transferring to a computer is dead-simple, too, with the flip-out USB connector. Particularly on the Mac, transfers are seamless and iMovie handles the Flip content with ease. The only downside is, like I said, it's almost too late. Now with high-end smartphones like the iPhone including their own cameras with as-good or superior quality to the Flip, there's really no need for a separate, dedicated camera if you already have one built-in to another device. However, if you don't own one of those, and can find a Flip camera for an excellent price, it's worth still to get one!

RibbitFroggie

Brighton, CO

The flip is just too good for a video camera. To tell you the truth I got it as a promotional offer from TD bank by opening a new checking account. I read the reviews for this camcorder and thought lets get it for free since it had good reviews everywhere.  It is very handy, easy to carry with you and connects easily with your laptop/desktop.  It has the flip USB port so you can hook it right up to your laptop or desktop computer. The camcorder that I have records a staggering 1 hr video so I am very much pleased with this. The quality of the video camera is far better than a regular digital camera but you can't compare it with the high profile camcorders since it is inexpensive as compared to others. The videos looks much better than the videos on my digital camera. I have been using it for almost 10 months now and haven't faced any problem with this beautiful and small camcorder. Once charged to full, the battery stays for few days unless you record your funny videos :-)

AkashJ

Jersey City, NJ

The Flip Video Camcorder is so incredibly easy to use. It is small enough to bring it with you everywhere, it is light-weight so it is not a bother to bring it with you everywhere, and it is ready to take videos in seconds. In short, this is the video camera you must have. We bought this camera when our daughter was born and have taken hundreds of short videos with it. We have caught so many family memories that we would have never been able to capture if we were using a traditional camcorder. I take the Flip with us whenever we leave the house...there is no excuse not to have it with you! I love the ease of use for this camera...you simply turn it on and touch the red record button and you're ready to film. It also has a connection on the bottom so you can attach it to a tripod. We have a mini tripod that we connect it to when we want to capture full family moments. This is particulary helpful when you don't need to move the camera to capture your moments, such as when you blow out birthday candles or are opening gifts. It is a great, great, great camcorder and I highly recommend it for everyone.

hokiejc

Pullman, WA

**Flip Video Camcorder **is a great camcorder.  Its the first one i've bought of its kind, and it really changed the way I use video recording.  The fact that I can carry it around like a cell phone is great, and it gives me enough battery life to do so!  I would like to be able to have more time to record, but the time allotted isn't too bad.  The look of the **Flip Video Camcorder **is also a plus for the camera, which you can choose from different colors.  Also, the price was part of my decision, because i was able to pay for this without breaking the bank! Two things that are lacking for the camcorder is the fact there is no high definition quality, and there is no external memory to upgrade the length of video capturing.  The sound on the video is so-so as well.  But for the price, and overall specs of the camera you cannot beat it.  I believe the **Flip Video Camcorder ** is a great choice for anyone!

tylersgirl

Indianapolis, IN