Review: Cisco Flip UltraHD

David Heath
Monday, 10 January 2011 22:52

Mobile devices

Want an HD video recorder in your pocket?  This might be it.

Recording at an image-stabilised HD720p (1280x720) and 50 fps, this tiny hand-held device - similar in size and shape to an older mobile phone - really will give you HD in your pocket.

The 8GB device (as reviewed) will hold 2 hours of MP4, H.264 compressed video which can be either replayed on the inbuilt 2" screen or on a TV via an HDMI cable (not included).

Aside from a big-red-button to start and stop recording and a zoom-in and zoom-out control, there's really very little to this device.  Well, on the device itself, that is.

Flip open the in-built USB connector (hence the name), connect to a computer and on the first such time the device will install the FlipShare software which will simplify the process of managing, editing and sharing the videos to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.  In addition, the USB connection will charge the device (which will also take 3 AAA batteries at a pinch).

Cicso's support site gives further details on the device.

Pros:

• Simplicity of use - my (metaphorical) grandmother could use it.
• Easy-to-use software.

Cons:

• On my laptop, the flip-out connector is poorly positioned to the extent that the weight of the laptop on one side is supported by the Flip.
• Using any PC which doesn't meet the quoted specs will yield very jerky video play-back.

The device has a recommended retail price of $279.95 and is available from a variety of Australian locations, frequently at a small discount.