Cisco Flip UltraHD Camcorder 8GB
Terrific HD Video To Go…
The latest iPod touch may include HD video recording, but it doesn’t produce video as good-looking as this latest- gen Flip pocket video camera. If you want a killer MP3 player, get an iPod touch, but if your focus is firmly on video capture and ease of use, the Flip UltraHD is probably a better choice.
The 4.5-ounce Flip UltraHD 8GB is an improvement over its predecessor in three ways, starting with image quality. Instead of capturing 720p HD video at 30 frames per second, the Flip has doubled it to 60fps, so video motion looks smoother. Second, the UltraHD no longer requires 
AA batter- ies; it includes a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The last improvement is the FlipPort accessories port; you can use it now to plug in Cisco’s optional microphone, or in the future, other accessories like bat- tery chargers and projector attachments.
The controls on this version of the UltraHD remain dead simple: a big, red button in the center of the front face starts recording and a bright red light next to the lens indicates that a recording is in progress. On the left side of the camera, there’s a pop-out USB connector, so you never have to worry about carrying a battery charger or a USB cable.
As for the video, make no mistake: You won’t get the same caliber of video quality that comes with a pricey full-blown cam- corder. But in my real-world tests, I found video captured by the UltraHD looked fantastic, much better than the 720p30 footage from an iPod touch or even the 1080p30 recordings captured by Kodak’s Playtouch Video Camera.
With the Cisco Flip UltraHD, you get sim- plicity and great image quality for $200. You can pull it out of the box and start shooting immediately.
Price $199.99 direct
PROS Very good HD video quality. Simple to operate. Easy-to-use video-management soft- ware. Integrated FlipPort for optional accesso- ries like microphones, projectors. Micro-HDMI port.
CONS Bulky. Small 2-inch LCD. 8GB storage is not expandable. No analog microphone input jack. No macro mode or still image.
Terrific HD Video To Go…
The latest iPod touch may include HD video recording, but it doesn’t produce video as good-looking as this latest- gen Flip pocket video camera. If you want a killer MP3 player, get an iPod touch, but if your focus is firmly on video capture and ease of use, the Flip UltraHD is probably a better choice.
The 4.5-ounce Flip UltraHD 8GB is an improvement over its predecessor in three ways, starting with image quality. Instead of capturing 720p HD video at 30 frames per second, the Flip has doubled it to 60fps, so video motion looks smoother. Second, the UltraHD no longer requires AA batter- ies; it includes a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The last improvement is the FlipPort accessories port; you can use it now to plug in Cisco’s optional microphone, or in the future, other accessories like bat- tery chargers and projector attachments.
The controls on this version of the UltraHD remain dead simple: a big, red button in the center of the front face starts recording and a bright red light next to the lens indicates that a recording is in progress. On the left side of the camera, there’s a pop-out USB connector, so you never have to worry about carrying a battery charger or a USB cable.
As for the video, make no mistake: You won’t get the same caliber of video quality that comes with a pricey full-blown cam- corder. But in my real-world tests, I found video captured by the UltraHD looked fantastic, much better than the 720p30 footage from an iPod touch or even the 1080p30 recordings captured by Kodak’s Playtouch Video Camera.
With the Cisco Flip UltraHD, you get sim- plicity and great image quality for $200. You can pull it out of the box and start shooting immediately.
Price $199.99 direct
PROS Very good HD video quality. Simple to operate. Easy-to-use video-management soft- ware. Integrated FlipPort for optional accesso- ries like microphones, projectors. Micro-HDMI port.
CONS Bulky. Small 2-inch LCD. 8GB storage is not expandable. No analog microphone input jack. No macro mode or still image.
