Every professional blogger I’ve talked to say video is going to be the next big thing and you should get in on it now if you haven’t already done so. While I was at Affiliate Summit West, I noticed that a lot of people were carrying around Flip Video cameras. Guys like Jim Kukral and Joel Comm swear by them.
With two big time Internet Marketers using the Flip video digital camcorder, I decided to find out what made this device so great. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it at the local Best Buy so I fired off an email to Flip Video’s PR firm and told them to send me one. A black Flip Ultra showed up at my door today. Now, that’s what I call service!
The main reason the Flip is so popular is because it’s so inexpensive. The 2GB unit, which can record an hour of video at 640x480x30fps, can be had for less than $150. That makes the Flip pretty much an impulse purchase.
I can see why the Flip is so popular at the trade shows. You can take this with you anywhere and pretty much make movies at will. The Flip Video has a built in USB plug which pops out of its side for fast transfers of your video files to your computer.
So far, I’ve only made one short 4 minute test movie with the Flip. The quality is really good for such an inexpensive device. It won’t match a HD Camcorder but for the video blogger, the Flip is damn near perfect. This thing is going to be great for my upcoming trips to Whistler and San Fransisco. Look for videos soon!
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I would love to have this gadget someday!
Same here! I’m using my DVD-R Camcorder still.. which works awesome.. but is a bit larger than this one.
How much larger? I saw those in the story, they’re pretty small for my hands… but I’d find the buttons fiddly.
It’s small, easy to handle, and at only $150 a great price. Who wouldn’t?
I think the fact that it’s small and a pretty good price will make it attractive to a lot of people. I must say though, that it almost has a cheap look to it. I mean, a lot cheaper than even the price of it.
~Terry
I think soon many affiliate companies would also join the video ad fever like what was recently launched by Google. It’s good new for affiliate bloggers.
It’s alright, I wish that cell phones had good video cameras though. It’s impressive how they have done so well with pictures, but it will truly be a great day when they also take good high quality videos.
I was going to get one of those digital camcorders, but this one sounds way better. It seems so versatile.
My Canon SD1000 can take videos @ 640x480x30fps as well, but I don’t think it compresses the video as well as the flip. I don’t think I can record 1hr on 2gb.
That sure would beat using my digital camera as a camcorder…
it looks so pretty…AAHHH MY PRECIOUSSSS…
*steals*
wow that is quick PR response! Did you contact them with an @johnchow.com domain or ttz for review?
It’s for TTZ.
Figured as much. Looking forward to the review…I haven’t seen much from you guys in a while…then again, we might not be on your mailing list
It’s not quick service. It’s the name John Chow!
That is one tiny camera. That’s also some nice service there : p.
I’d get one if I could flip the screen around or something so I could film myself, and see what’s being recorded. I’m unco, so without that my videos would probably end up having half my head cut out.
~ Dave
How does the video quality compare to your Sanyo Xacti CG6? I just received one in for review, and so far, it’s really nice.
I WANT ONE!!!
I’m going to have to get me one of these. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about getting into the whole video scene.
Thats what she said.
Oh snap.
Double snap!
I think if your going to vlog you should go more professional when they mean vlog will be the next biggest thing they talking about professional videos not home made videos with bad sound Even if your going to use a bad camera spend the money on getting good sound equipment because it will make your videos feel and sound better which will make more people wanna watch it more
Well, I think a lot of bloggers will end make poor videos. But you will have those who make very good quality videos–very professional-looking–and those bloggers will create a niche for themselves and do very well. It’ll create a whole new market that will establish the best and the worst.
do you guys know if you can use any editing software to edit vidoes from flip? (cut pro, etc?)
Thanks!
Anna
http://www.lucidnewyork.com
Windows Movie Maker works fine. iMovie can’t import the AVI file. You need to converted to a MOV file first using QuickTime.
Which would be the best for Mac? for editing videos?
iMovie works fine.
I know I have the reverse problem with my cameras… I have to decode from MOV file, it’s a real pain… and QT always nags me to buy it! Hah! …
Thank you for your answer, John.
I’m buying it using your link of course!!!
Anna
John, I haven’t used it yet, but it’s free video editing software. http://www.videospin.com.
Thanks for mention in post. I love my flip. Taken hundreds of videos with it and I do my daily show it with it.
Was ready to buy it but then I read reviews that the videos quality suffers when converted to use it with ivideo.
Looking forward to your remarks, John as you use it…
But will it blend?
Looks pretty sweet!
Let’s see how sweet it looks after the blend!
Some people have an idea that clicks, and this camera is one of that.
A lot of people are using this cameras now, cause it’s very small and easy to work. GREAT PRODUCT!
I think video is now not the future.
45n5 is one of the top blogs on the net and it is due to the daily video.
That is pretty cheap. Maybe I will invest in one of them sometime in the near future.
looks cool, I will be going to purchase it
waiting for your shootouts
Does anyone know how good the sound quality is on the FLIP? One of the problems with a lot of smaller video cameras is that they pick up sound in a 360 fashion. So, you’l be recording someone talking, but you can hear yourself breathing as well. Just curious,
- Dave
The other thing I’d love to know is if the Flip is going to come out with a camera with a higher resolution. A great 2-in-1 buy is a camera that you can use for vlogging AND recording home videos to watch on your TV.
Looks cool.. however 1.5 Inch LCD is too small….
640×480x30fps for less than $170 is not too bad.
I was about to buy the Sanyo C5 model which is pretty cool, too, but about 3 times the price, at least in Taiwan!
Kenneth
Look forward to some Flip videos.
That looks really nifty!
is it true? just about $150???if in m’sia just RM 600???
impossible,here goverment body will tax it………oh my…..
Thats really so cheap when compared to other geeky gadgets.. and the easy USB connection is one more cool thing
You gotta love the Flip, John!
Here’s a short video I did talking about doing online video. It gives you a look inside my studio.
Fastest Way to Make Online Video
I’ve had my eye on one of these for quite a while. You’re not helping convince me that I don’t need it!!
The camera & price looks nice but the config it’s good?
Looks like a neat phone, but I don’t think its worth giving up my easyshare 650.
Follow me on my journey! Make Money Blogging
Can’t wait to see JC’s first video! I hope it’s not about ‘shit’ again.
haha … I hope so too
Oh, boy! I just saw the news… you have to check out this amazing video of a woman riding her motorcycle: standing up with NO HANDS! It’s bloody amazing… She ended up in hospital though… Traffic accident!Apparently she’s not young, either!
Thanks, John for stopping by my blog!
Looks nice… but my iPhone can do the same thing
Looks cool. Might have to buy one.
looks like a cool like camera, when you put up your clip and we can see the resolution that will make the difference for me at least.
Very good this post. I like cameras.
I for one am not looking forward to video blogs. With the amount of articles I peruse on a daily basis, it’s more convenient to be able to scan the text and move on. If I want to comment/refer to an article, it’s easier to find specific posts than wade through video for the timestamp.
Lastly, there are some folks have a face for radio, if ya know what I mean….
Cool looking device, going to have to go check it out now. I see more and more of the better blogs starting to put up videos and Vlogs instead of entries. I wish I could do the same for my blog but unfortunately I’m too ugly and would scare my readers away!
that is an awesome camera John. I own one but it only records for 30 minutes at a time… still love it. We use it a lot to capture family memories. I am sure it would be a great marketing tool.
Pretty cool.
Which is better john Flip or your Sanyo xacti ? please reply
The Sanyo is smaller. The Flip is easier to use. The video quality is about the same.
Thats pretty cool, yeah I plan on going to whistler sometime in the near future.
Jim has been marketing this puppy for months and it seems to be catching up
-Mike
I look forward to seeing the video quality of these videos.
How good is the outcome though? Is the picture perfectly clear?
Check out my Hubpage – I Love My Flip Video:
http://hubpages.com/hub/I-Love-My-Flip-Video
Looks nice… Maybe I will buy one
That’s pretty cool and for $150 bucks I just might have to get one.
It certainly seems like a great value. Not to mention that it targets a very specific but profitable niche in bloggers.
I was looking at the Flip and came across the RCA Small Wonder EZ201 – it looks like the Flip only it has SD expansion and the view screen can flip around. Plus the price is less. So I’m torn as to which one to pick up.
I don’t see the point here. All recent model point and shoot digital cameras (i have the casion xlixr 7 Megapixels, it shoots at 30fps) have the ability to record video and sound. Also, it takes 7 MP photos (with flash) as well.
So, to me it would make more sense to buy a good digital camera use the video function, pop out the SD card (or even use the wireless sd cards) and save yourself $150.
Follow here for more on my blog. http://yeu2.com
Well, one of the main differences is the size.
Yes I have used this as well and it works like a charm. Though it doesn’t have anything that my camera don’t have. My camera makes just as good movies and it can hold 1 hour of movie and numerous pictures….
It looks like a neat camera.
One post later you say YouTube is a huge timewaster than you say every professional blogger thinks video is going to be the next big thing ???
My opinion, who the heck wants to watch a video of some ugly blogger talking about a bunch of garbage?
Also, if video is going to the “then next big thing”, I wonder how JohnChow.com will find a way to throw all those annoyin affiliate and referral links out to all you losers who read this waste of time blog???
That is one cool thing. Hey JC, you have a contest in mind? How about THAT as the prize. I’ll be the first to join. =D
Glad I read this.
I forgot that my Cybershot records vid. I have a full size recorder but get tired of mulitple devices and after hearing about the flip wanted something small. Went last night to check out smaller hand held recorders…flip in mind. Of course they didnt have it so I bought a new 160gb iPod to replace my 30gig. Was getting online today to find the flip but wanted to see video examples.
My cyber has the same specs, limited to the size of my sd stick and has twice the size screen of the flip. Can’t see the need now except I surf, wakeboard/skate and dive so the underwater case for the flip seems interesting though?
The Flip Video Camera is awesome. Had mine since Dec 07 and take it with me everywhere. The audio and visual quality is very good for a small camera. Works excellent with Windows Movie Maker and easy editing. I’ve made a lot of videos and make it a habit of putting video on my site.
Cheryl
That is a great tiny camera,I just might to buy one
I’ve been using my old Canon Digital IXUS 800IS Camera as my video capture device for a while now. I bought a 2GB flash card for over 1hour of video and it can capture up to 60 fps. Movies are imported to iPhoto together with photos when I plug in the camera. When I launch iMovie, it autopmatically imports the new footage from iPhoto and can be edited easily using iMovies point and click tools. Best part is the one button upload to YouTube from iMovie, all the compression and resizing is done by iMovie. Then I just use the Viper Video plugin to add the YouTube video to my blog with a single line of code.