Tech Blog

[#1]

The challenge for the Flip MinoHD is for it to make the case for you to take it with you. Chances are you own a smartphone - and if you’re a Future Shop customer, it’s probably a pretty sexy smartphone with lots of GBs, a video camera app, and a data package that lets you upload stuff to YouTube. That’s a lot for the MinoHD to overcome, so the question is: should you take it with you?

The Body

Let’s take a look at it; the folks at Flip have done a great job in producing a gorgeous little camera. The brushed metal exterior really does feel nice to touch, and makes it slightly grippy so you don’t feel like you’re going to lose it when you palm it out of your pocket. The back is a fingerprint magnet in shiny black, but the touch sensitive buttons are great, very responsive. The left side holds the spring loaded switch that releases the integrated USB connector, and the right has the power button.

The lens is still uncovered, which has always made me uncomfortable... but my original Flip’s lens is in great condition, so I really need to just get over it. The MinoHD comes with a velvety bag to slip it into, but chances are it’s going to live in a pocket while you’re out with it. Keep that pocket clear of keys, phones, and change, and your MinoHD should be alright.

Turn it on already!

Press the power button for a second and the MinoHD will spring to life with a beep. The setup takes only a few moments, you’ll set the date, time, and whether or not you want the camera to be vocal or seen when it’s recording. I like to appear not-creepy, so I left both the light and the beep on. The recording light on the MinoHD is a solid bar across the body, which lights up to a gentle red glow - very slick.

Operation is as simple as ever. Point at subject, hit red button, shoot video. The difference with the MinoHD is that the video is really, really good quality. I’m just getting used to the 720p video recorder on my iPhone 4, but the MinoHD produces some great video. The low-light performance, in particular, is excellent - on par with what I’ve come to expect from Flip.

Video was smooth, and the stereo sound felt like it had depth.

Power and connections.

The MinoHD has an internal battery with no visible way of digging into it to replace it; compare that with the AA rechargeable that’s been in and out of my Flip and I was concerned about power. The MinoHD charged fast, however, and had more than enough juice to fill the two hour recording time (on the 8GB version that I have).

The MinoHD also includes an HDMI port - it’s an HDMI Mini-C port, so you’ll probably need to buy a cable for it. Video and sound coming out over the HDMI was clear, and I like the single cable connection.

USB is used to charge the MinoHD, as well as letting you upload and edit your video. I’m really impressed by the continued improvement of Flip’s built-in software. Being able to go anywhere, shoot, and use any computer to edit and upload is pretty awesome. It’s not as handy as upload over 3G, but the results are of a much better quality.

So it is worth it?

I love being able to shoot video on my iPhone, and I loved being able to shoot video on my BlackBerry - but neither had the video quality or the low light performance that the MinoHD has. I’ve also found that I’m not fretting over battery life with the MinoHD (a constant fight with any mobile phone). Finally, it’s small enough that you can pack it in a pocket, a purse, or even (dare I say it) a man-bag and you’ll hardly even notice it there. Having high quality recording at arm’s reach all the time? Yes, I think I can say it’s worth it. So where do we stand on the challenge set out for the MinoHD? It rises to it and you should take it with you.

[#2]

I have one and love it.   Keep it in my purse so its always with me waiting for the action to happen.  I'm a rare breed that has no use for a cell phone, but a small video camera is great.

[#3]

I want one! I have the iPhone and have been getting by with it, but as you said, the video quality cant be compared.  Besides, by the time you find the app, load it, wait for it to focus and start recording, the moment may be over

Getting one.

[#4]

I'd say it's worth it. That's akin to saying you don't need a digital camera because your iPod nano already has one.