Kodak Zi8 reviewed, compared to Flip MinoHD

Chad Sapieha at Globetechnology.com said:

The popular Flip camcorder might have been the device that brought pocket-sized point ‘n' shoot video cameras into the limelight, but it's now facing some stiff competition from the Zi8, a snappy little HD recorder from Kodak which, if it could speak, would probably say “everything you can do I can do better.”

Kodak Zi8 Specs

Sensor type	1 / 2.5-type 5 MP CMOS
Lens	6.3 mm, f/2.8, fixed focus 35 mm equivalent: 61 mm (1080p), 46 mm (720p/60 fps, 720p, WVGA), 42 mm (still)
Zoom	4X digital
Display size	2.5 in.
Storage	128 MB internal memory[1], SD/SDHC card expansion slot
Focus modes	normal, macro
Focus range	normal: 100 cm–infinity macro: 15 cm
White balance	auto
File formats	video: H.264 (MOV), AAC LC still: JPEG
Capture mode	1080p (1920 × 1080, 30 fps) 720p/60 fps (1280 × 720, 60 fps) 720p (1280 × 720, 30 fps) WVGA (848 × 480, 30 fps) Still (5.3 MP, 16:9 widescreen, interpolated)
Microphone	yes (monoaural)
Speaker	yes
I/O interface	USB 2.0 (high speed), AV out, HDMI, DC in, external microphone jack (support stereo)
Tripod mount	1/4 in. standard
Power	KODAK Li-Ion Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC-7004, AC adapter
Dimensions	2.4 × 4.5 × 0.9 in.
Weight	110 g (3.9 oz) without batteries

Buy a Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera (Black) NEWEST MODEL


Flip MinoHD Specs

Internal Memory:	4GB (60 minutes)
Screen Size:	1.5” (transflective TFT)
Screen Resolution:	528 x 132 pixels
Video Resolution:	1280 x 720
Frame Rate:	30 frames per second (constant frame rate, progressive scan)
Video Bitrate:	9.0Mbps (average - auto adaptive algorithm)
Video Format:	H.264 video compression, AAC audio compression, saves as MP4 file
Lens Type:	Fixed Focus (1.5m to infinity)
Aperture:	f/2.4 (fast lens for great results in low-light environments)
Zoom:	Smooth multi-step 2x digital
Interface:	8 Touch-Sensitive Capacitive Buttons (Power, Play, Delete, Record and 4 way navigation)
Dimensions:	3.94” x 1.97” x 0.63” (H x W x D)
PC Connection:	Built-in flip-out USB arm (up to 2.0 USB speed)
TV Out:	Composite Video (cable included)
Battery Life:	Rechargeable lithium ion battery, charges on both USB and Flip Video power adapter (buy now).
Tripod Mount:	Yes
Operating Systems:	Windows XP, Windows Vista
	Mac OSX

Buy a Flip MinoHD Camcorder 2nd Generation, 120 Minutes (Brushed Metal) NEWEST MODEL


Via theglobeandmail.com

Cisco launches Flipshare TV

Flipshare TV is a small box that plays 720p video on your TV or HDTV. The device comes with a remote and a USB dongle that connects your computer to the Flipshare base station box, which then connects to your TV. The device comes with software that installs on your computer, Flipshare 5.0, to manage your videos. Even if you don’t have a Flip camcorder, you can watch shared videos from friends who do online on so-called Flispshare channels.
The wireless USB adapter and base station connect to each other over Wi-Fi 802.11n, but do not interconnect with other Wi-Fi 802.11n devices, as they are preconfigured to only communicate with each other.

Buy a Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)

Via  Tech Fragments

Switched picks Best HD Camcorder Under $250

Hey Reader: We live in wonderful times. There are many styles of camcorders to choose from these days, and most companies have HD models for under $500. (Video sites such as YouTube and Vimeo make it easy to post HD clips right from a camera. But if you want to edit HD creations first, know that you'll need a pretty powerful PC.) For your price range, nothing beats the convenience of a pocket-sized camera like the Pure Digital Flip MinoHD, which delivers the goods while still being light on your wallet and incredibly easy to use.

Gone are the days of lugging around an unwieldy camcorder and box of tapes -- today's pocket camcorders record to solid-state hard drives and have hardly any moving parts. Not only does this eliminate tape jams, it also enables nearly instantaneous shooting, so you don't miss the moment when inspiration strikes.

Buy a Flip MinoHD Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Black)

Check out the full entry at Switched.

Six HD Pocket Camcorders Side-by-Side

Senior Editor Tim Moynihan takes a look at six HD, YouTube-friendly pocket camcorders from Creative, Kodak, Sony, and Pure Digital, including the brand new Flip UltraHD. With features ranging from a wide-angle lens to variable frame rates, one of these devices in the $150- to $230-range is bound to be a great fit for your needs.

Read the full review or watch the video at PCWorld

Boston Globe Discusses HD Camcorders

In a 2-page article titled "Capture memories without hassle", The Boston Globe correspondent John Dyer discusses a few aspects of affordable and small HD camcorders available on the market. While not deeply technical, the article also compares the pros and cons of four camcorders available from Best Buy: Pure Digital's Flip Video MinoHD, for $229.99; JVC's Everio G, for $479.99; Samsung's High-Definition Digital Camcorder, for $722.49; and Sony's Handycam, at $809.99.

"In the 1970s, people gathered in their living rooms to watch grainy home movies filmed on Super 8 cameras. In the 1980s, they carried clunky video cameras on their shoulders and popped cassettes into VCR machines. In the 1990s, they burned DVDs with rudimentary digital recorders.

Today, they're using HD, or high-definition, camcorders to upload videos to YouTube."

Buy a Flip Video MinoHD Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Black) or a Sony HDR-CX12 High Definition Memory Stick PRO Duo Handycam Camcorder With 12x Optical Zoom or a Samsung HMX-R10 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/5x Optical Zoom (Black).

Read the full hd camcorder article at Boston Globe.

Cisco buys Pure Digital

As rumored previously around the interwebs, the company behind the Flip video camcorder series was aquired by Cisco.

UK site Mirror says:

What does the deal mean for Flip Video? Cisco does wonders with networks, so we could see a new Flip Video service for uploading HD video, a Flip Video model that streams online instantly, or even around your home via a Cisco media streamer.

Forbes: HD Camcorders For Any Budget

Forbes.com has a new article on the emerging market of portable camcorders, check the article to find out more.
Shopping for a high-definition camcorder doesn't sound like it should be a difficult undertaking, but the vast differences in prices can make your head spin.

A quick scan of available camcorders claiming to capture video in high definition will reveal a staggeringly wide difference in price points, and the distinctions between the most and least expensive are not always clear at first glance. With a little inside knowledge, it's possible to dig beneath the surface specifications and determine whether you can afford to shell out the big bucks or if you can settle for a more modest model.

Buy a Flip Video MinoHD Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Black)

Read the full article here.

Cisco to Buy Pure Digital

Cisco (CSCO), looking to move deeper into the consumer electronics industry, is reportedly buying Flip camcorder maker Pure Digital for more than $500 million, TechCrunch reports.

Via BusinessInsider, TechCrunch

CNET's tips: where to upload your HD footage

CNET WebWare has a new article as an update of their last year video site comparison service.

The sites compared are YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, DailyMotion, SmugMug and Blip.tv.

From the article:

For our tests, we looked at detail on two levels--both still and in motion. For the still, we used a shot of our corner Italian restaurant. From our test footage you should be able to read everything on the front awning.

For the motion element, there were plenty of cars and pedestrians outside our offices that would have made good test subjects. In this case, we went with a bicycle since it falls somewhere in between the two.

Read the article here.

User-generated Frenzy is Fueling Growth at Flip Camcorder Manufacturer

Via CNN (CNN Money):

One man recently sent footage shot from the front of his dog sled in Alaska. Another shared video of his Lasik eye-surgery. The lead singer of a band recorded his view while crowd surfing. A congressman gave constituents a tour of his D.C. office.

Thanks to such user-generated content, upstart Pure Digital is holding its own in the competitive consumer-electronics world, which is dominated by big conglomerates such as Sony, Panasonic and Samsung.

Since launching the Flip in May 2007, the company has shipped nearly two million devices. Models range from $149 to $230 and are sold online and at retailers like Wal-Mart, Costco and Target.

Pure Digital's edge: It is transforming the camcorder market by making it simple to shoot and share video. "The ease of use is incredibly seductive," says Amazon.com vice-president of electronics, Paul Ryder. "You take a quick video, plug the device into computer, and immediately upload to the web."

Read the full article here.

Flip Mino HD review roundup

It's "skinnable", it does widescreen 720p HD, fits in your shirt pocket and it easily uploads vids to Youtube. What is it? It's the Flip Mino HD from Pure Digital Technologies.

From the product page, here is the list of specs and features:

Features:

Simple to Shoot in HD

• The world’s smallest HD camcorder, weighing only 3.3 ounces
• Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your computer to launch built-in FlipShare™ software
• Built-in memory for up to 60 minutes of high-quality video
• Rechargeable lithium ion battery— charges via your USB port. Approximately 2 hours of recording per charge.
• Start recording within 3 seconds of power-up
• Advanced playback, pause, fast forward/rewind features
• Records high-quality H.264 videos that work with iTunes, iMovie, and iPhoto
• "Child Safe" mode to prevent accidental deletions of clips
• Fast lens – great low or bright light results, 2x digital zoom
• 1.5” color high-brightness (transflective) display for easy recording and super-clear viewing in bright sunlight
• Silent mode for recording in sensitive situations
• TV connector cable included to watch videos on television
• Tripod mount fits any standard tripod
• Video: 16:9 widescreen, HD 720p (1280 x 720) at 30 frames per second progressive scan

Simple to Share

• Built-in FlipShare™ software for instant viewing, editing, and one-click emailing with upgraded features:
• Browse, playback, organize and archive your videos
• Create movies with videos, music & titles
• Edit clips and save still photos from video
• Instantly upload to AOL, MySpace, YouTube and other video sites
• Share your videos using email or greetings cards (free and unlimited video sharing)
• Records high-quality H.264 videos that work with iTunes, iMovie, and iPhoto (MP4 files)

Specifications:

• Internal Memory: 4GB (60 minutes)
• Screen Size: 1.5” (transflective TFT)
• Screen Resolution: 528 x 132 pixels
• Video Resolution: 1280 x 720
• Frame Rate: 30 frames per second (constant frame rate, progressive scan)
• Video Bitrate: 8.8Mbps (average - auto adaptive algorithm)
• Video Format: H.264 video compression, AAC audio compression, saves as MP4 file
• Lens Type: Fixed Focus (1.5m to infinity)
• Aperture: f/2.4 (fast lens for great results in low-light environments)
• Zoom: Smooth multi-step 2x digital
• Interface: 8 Touch-Sensitive Capacitive Buttons (Power, Play, Delete, Record and 4 way navigation)
• Dimensions: 3.94” x 1.97” x 0.63” (H x W x D)
• PC Connection: Built-in flip-out USB arm (up to 2.0 USB speed)
• TV Out: NTSC (cable included)
• Battery Life: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, charges using built-in USB arm
• Tripod Mount: Yes
• Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista,Mac OSX

And here is the review roundup - all open in a new window.

• Engadget (WSJ)
• geeknewscentral
• obsessable.com
• Electronista.com
• NYTimes video review
• photodoto.com
• macworld.com
• pcmech.com
• digitalcamera-hq.com
• Malika Risley (Mino vs Mino HD)
• Odeo (video review)
• geeks.pirillo
• laptopmag.com
• the look from the bay (video)
• davekemick.com
• digitaldaily.info
• pcmag.com
• galttech.com
• AOL Television (video)
• MobilityToday (video)
• octechnophile.com

Buy Flip Video MinoHD Camcorder, 60 Minutes (Black)

These should keep you busy for a while ;)

Sony MHS-PM1 Webbie HD reviewed by camcorderinfo

The MHS-PM1 also comes with internal software that allows for quick, seamless video and image upload to YouTube as well as other media hosting websites. With all these features and options, it is clear Sony is hoping to grab a big chunk of the ultra-compact market and steal some of the spotlight away from Pure Digital's Flip series of camcorders. The camcorder is available in three colors—eggplant, orange, and silver. Lens & Sensor The MHS-PM1 has a fixed lens, which means the lens has no moving parts and cannot perform an optical zoom. The lens is able to rotate, however, thanks to a swivel-joint system on the top of the camcorder. This gives the MHS-PM1 the capability of capturing footage at odd angles, and it also helps deal with the viewing problems created by the stationary LCD on the back of the camcorder. The MHS-PM1 is packed with a huge 1/2.5-inch CMOS sensor, which corresponds to a whopping effective pixel count of 5 Megapixels. This sensor is nearly twice the size of the 1/4.5-inch CMOS sensor found in the Flip MinoHD.

Buy Now or Wait for a New Camcorder? infoSync tells you

infoSync just posted an article lining out the main reasons to buy now and also the reasons to wait for your next HD camcorder purchase. Check this snippet from the article:

Our crystal ball foresees a radioactive force emanating from Canon this year in the form of the new Canon Vixia HF S10. A mutant 1/2.6" CMOS imaging sensor that gobbles up 9-megapixels lies within the belly of this hulking monster, promising intergalactic image quality.

Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom


What about Sony's high-definition overlord? Well, the Sony HDR-XR520V is equipped with a new back-illuminated 1/3.15" CMOS sensor that pledges a 50% improvement in low light sensitivity. The Sony HDR-XR520V also offers GPS, allowing shooters to track exactly where a particular video clip was recorded via Navteq maps.

Head over to infoSync CES 2009 articles area for more.

Pure Digital Flip Mino HD reviewed by LaptopMag

From the review:

Unlike the Kodak Zi6, which can record at VGA resolution or 720p at either 30 or 60 frames per second, the Mino HD just does 720p video at 30 fps. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; 60 fps is only necessary in the fastest-moving situations, plus it eats up battery life faster than 30-fps video. We respect Pure Digital’s effort to simplify the experience for users.

Overall, we were impressed with the Mino HD’s smooth 720p video. It performed well in a wide range of lighting conditions, always delivering pleasant, lifelike colors and loud-enough sound. Only in fast-paced action sequences—an ice-skating rink, for example—did we miss the Kodak Zi6’s 60-fps option.

Kodak Zi6 Pocket HD Camcorder + 8GB Accessory Kit

Mino HD Pros

• Very good video quality
• Thin, sleek design
• Responsive touch-sensitive controls
• Intuitive, streamlined software

Mino HD Cons

• Still no memory card slot or digital still capability
• Tiny LCD screen
• Composite video output

Read the full review here.

DVFormat says Web 2.0 awakens new camcorder segment

DMN Newswire--2009-1-14--The consumer camcorder market remains one of the most complex and dynamic CE categories to date despite witnessing fairly modest unit growth in recent years. Now, the emergence of a new breed of low-cost, back-to-basics pocket video camera is connecting with a fresh base of consumers, opening the market to a host of non-traditional camcorder brands.

According to the article, pocket video cameras lead the way and High Def camcorders are on the rise. Non-traditional camcorder brands such as Pure Digital/Flip, Aiptek and DXG are currently dominating the PVC segment and applying pressure to traditional A brands.

Moving forward, there is clearly an opportunity for the industry to further revitalise consumer interest in the camcorder segment, despite the current economic climate, and Futuresource will continue to closely monitor developments in this market.

Check Flip Mino HD, Kodak Zi6, Aiptek and DXG mini camcorder prices

Head over to DVFormat for the full article.