Gadgetrepublic.com - Gadget Review

But who wants to lug around heavy and, let's face it, often prohibitively expensive video equipment on the off chance there'll be something worth filming? For the die-hard video junkie maybe, but frankly, for the rest of us, it's usually more trouble than it's worth.

Enter the range of miniature Flip Video camcorders.

By taking the concept of the digital camcorder and stripping it down to the bare minimum, the Flip Video Mino has managed to produce a compact, affordable and ludicrously easy-to-use video solution that's always ready to capture those elusive moments.

The Flip Video Mino (around €150 from various online e-tailers and major electronics retailers) that gadgetrepublic.com reviewed is tiny - about the size of a current mobile phone, just a bit thicker.

It slips easily into a jacket pocket or handbag, and with 2GB of onboard memory, it's ready to capture up to 60 minutes of high-quality VGA (640x480) video at an impressively smooth 30 frames per second. It's quick too: hit the power button and from a standing start the Flip is ready to shoot in three seconds flat.

Operation is simplicity itself. Just point the Flip at your subject, frame on the crisp 1.5-inch colour LCD screen and hit the prominent red button to start recording.

When you want to stop, hit the red button again. It's that simple. You can also zoom in and out using the touch-sensitive up and down arrows on the control panel, scroll through and play back the videos stored on the Flip's internal memory and, of course, delete any clips you don't want to keep to free up space.

When you're ready to transfer your digital masterpieces to your computer, the designers of the Flip have also gone out of their way to make things really, really easy.

Flick a switch on the side of the unit and out 'flips' an integrated USB connector. Plug it in and it launches the built in software, offering you various options for viewing, managing, transferring and sharing your stored video files (including instant uploads to your AOL, MySpace and YouTube accounts, although we'll have to take the documentation's word for that because a software glitch on our review model prevented it from working properly).

While connected, your Flip is also recharging its internal lithium ion battery, so you're topped up and ready to go again once you've finished.

Depending on the position of your laptop/desktop's USB ports, you may find direct connection a bit awkward (for example, I couldn't connect the Flip directly to my Dell Inspiron when the power and network cables were plugged in) - but that's easily remedied with a standard USB extension cable.

While most mobile phones today can record video, few can match the quality and ease of use of the Flip. It makes recording high-quality video for online distribution simple, straightforward and fun.

This is a new breed of camcorder for a new breed of film-maker. If you're looking to share your life and/or your business through online video, you should seriously consider adding a Flip Video Mino to your electronics arsenal.

Price: €133.05 (incl VAT) from Dabs Ireland

What we liked: Compact size, competitive price, ease of use

What we didn't like: Touch-sensitive controls occasionally stick, software glitch on review model, USB attachment can be awkward, no image stabilising

Verdict: The 'must-have' gadget for the social networking videophiles.

Calvin Jones

By Calvin Jones