The latest breed of home video cameras have a wide range of capabilities, such as HD. Noticeably absent? Video tape.
Video cameras that replace tape storage with flash drive and hard drive storage require owners to adapt to new technology — and a new mindset: videos are intended to share information (quickly) — not simply archive it forever.
As a result, digital video cameras have been redesigned to reflect how people are them. Video cameras are simpler, smaller and cheaper. The poster boy for this new generation of video cameras is The Flip video camcorder. The Flip sets itself apart by making the process of creating, editing, and uploading short videos to sites like YouTube very uncomplicated.
In two years the company said it sold 2 million devices.
The Flip records quite decent quality video at 30fps and a TV-friendly resolution of 640×480 – roughly the same as good consumer compact digital still cameras are now producing. It’s got a 1.5 inch screen for instant playback and review, takes AA batteries, and can be connected directly to a TV for playback. A pop-out USB plug lets you connect the Flip straight to your computer without an external cable, and the Flip’s onboard software lets you edit the video, put soundtracks to it and mix videos. Then, through the same interface, you can upload to YouTube or send the video via email.
A 1GB/60 minute version of the Flip sells for about $150 — although I recently bought a refurbished unit for $75 online. HD versions of the Flip sell for around $200.
What is a video camera, anyways?
Given the quality of video that can be recorded by cell phones and other mobile devices, the gaps between “video camera” and other devices are steadily narrowing. Consider the 5th generation iPod Nano (16GB for $175)… Apple is has ‘one-upped’ the Flip by inserting a video camera inside its new family of iPods and iPhones. Like the Flip, these devices make it easy to upload videos to YouTube, Facebook, and other destinations — and offer more utility (and less dependence on a PC connectivity).
Two minute memories
Home videography has changed forever. The 4-hour video tape is an endangered species. They’ve been holding the best moments of your life hostage in the back of your closet or the bottom drawer of your cabinets. Imagine all the hours of tape that you’ve shot — but rarely (if ever) viewed. They’re all waiting to be off-loaded from tape, edited and shared with friends on your TV.
New video cameras challenge you to share glimpses of your life in two-minute increments, as it happens.
And, that’s a good thing.
Something to Flip Over
No need to take my word for it. View Stuart the Puppet’s review the Flip video camera:
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