Freak. I caved. In for 2. Thanks, Woot.

Dude:
This cost 40 something buck.

sdc100 wrote:While this is one of the best Flips, it's still a FLip, which has significant disadvantages over other palmcorders:

1) It is not expandable -- which is unique among these devices. Even $15 Chinese generic models usually have an SD slot. Once you run outof memory, that's it. You either have to start deleting videos or find a computer to download them. THere are no built-in editing features for your to get rid of junk footage to regain memory.

2) More importantly, you can't remove a memory card to download, share or transport videos. That's inconvenient since it means you can't just put the card into digital photo frame to play videos. NOr can you easily give your videos to a friend until you're by a computer. This can be a problem for journalists, for example, who sometimes need to quickly give their most recent footage for editing, while continuing to use the recorder.

3) Most importantly, since Cisco has discontinued the Flips, support will be non-existent in the near future. IN other words, no new drivers will be developed. What happens then , when you upgrade to WIndows 8? It may not be compatible with this Flip. With any other recorder, you can simply remove the memory card and copy the files. No such luck with this. If this Flip is not recognized over USB, you'll need to find an older computer to download.

4) Again, unique among handcorders, Flips DON'T TAKE STILL PHOTOS!!! And again, even the cheapest Chinese models bought through eBay have a still mode. But Flips don't. Instead, you have to go to your computer and do a "frame capture" while playing the video. That's not only inconvenient, but the photos are usually of poorer quality. Furthermore, you have no idea how the photo looks so you wouldn't know if you have to re-take the photo until you're by your computer. With a normal model, you get instant results so you can re-take if necessary. WORST, this means that you have to take a video every time you need a photo. THAT'S A HUGE WASTE OF MEMORY (that's not even expandable!!!).

According to the description:
"Capture photos using the easy Snapshot feature: You can grab a still-image photo from any of the 60 frames that comprise each second of your video"

What they don't mention is that the "Snapshot feature" is not built into the Flip. It's part of the software installed on your computer.

5) The famous Flip USB arm is a stupid feature because it is delicate and non-replaceable. Very rarely do people have the desk space to have this jutting out of your laptop. And putting it in a desktop means that it's suspended in the air by the arm alone, risking breakage. A USB extension cord is then needed, which defeats the whole point of this built-in USB arm. Furthermore, unless your laptop's USB port is at the perfect height, having this plugged into your laptop means that it's bending your computer's USB port (and its USB arm) under its weight. Not good. That can break the port and the Flip. Using a simple old fashion USB port means that you can buy a replacement cord for about $1 on ebay. On the other hand, if this USB arm breaks, you have a paperweight (especially since it's the only way to download videos since IT DOESN'T USE MEMORY CARDS!!!). Or do what the Creative Vado did: Have a compartment for a built in cord. Then you'll have the cord always with you, which is the supposed advantage of the Flip arm. Frankly, that claim is stupid since most people wil need to bring a along the USB extension anyway.

6) You cannot adjust the resolution or frame rate, meaning you don't have the choice to sacrifice resolution for video length. With most palmcorders, you can choose a lower resolution or frame rate. That allows for longer videos. But with this you must use the default HD 60fps setting, limiting the capacity to 1 hour max. And if you have a lot of movement, the capacity is even less because movement is not as compressible. This is stupid because you really don't need 60fps unless there is fast movement, i.e sports. What a waste of space. It's even worse when you consider that the memory is non-expandable.

7) Finally, like all palmcorders, you can't pause during recording. This problem is not unique to the Flip. Most digital cameras cannot pause either (with Samsung's being a notable exception). That means more junk footage and wasted memory. It also means lots of little snippets instead of one video when it is in fact, one event. That makes organization annoying, and time consuming because you will have to concantenate all the snippets. Furthermore, you can't just play an entire session for instant presentations since since many video apps don't automatically advance to the next video like a slide show. You'll have to manually forward to each new snippet. But again, this is a flaw that is present in all handcorders.

All in all, the Flip is a poor choice that's more form than function.

I recently had a bunch of electronic equipment stolen, including a Toshiba Digital Video recorder.

This deal comes at perfect timing as replacing all the equipment has been expensive.

Nice stopgap until I can afford to upgrade.

In for one.

jmalten wrote:I don't have a flip so I looked on the web for example video from this model. That is what I was experimented with.

I think most of the sites that have the videos up (YouTube for example) only display 30 frames per second. If you make a video with this Flip and upload it, it may play back the same way but the videos that you burn to BlueRay for example would still be 60fps.

Non-buyer's remorse :-(.... I could have been a filmmaker. Oh well if there is a next time,I'm in.

wootalyzer wrote:Wootalyzer's Pricing Post! - The price of today's woot item is saved here for future reference
------------------------------------------------------------
Flip MinoHD 4GB Camcorder w/Image Stabilization (3rd Gen - Newest)
$39.99 + $5 Shipping
Condition: New

*DISCLAIMER* Wootalyzer! is in no way affiliated with Woot!, and this post may not always be here!

unkl210 wrote:

I just want to buy this wooty camera for 39.99 That was the price this morning.

Help.

unkl210 wrote:I just want to buy this wooty camera for 39.99 That was the price this morning.

Help.

The following is from the what is woot link on woot's main page...

"I missed yesterday's item, can I still get one?

No. Each woot.com product is discontinued at 11:59pm central time. That's that. Period. We may get more at a later date if we're lucky, but we offer no guarantees, we allow no backorders, and we have no waiting/notification lists. Too bad."

mm20 wrote:How many charge cycles can the battery take before becoming worthless?

It took over 4 years, but I finally got my first woot item. Alas, the first is the breaking of the dam. I must go and ready my bank account for the deluge...

sdc100 wrote:While this is one of the best Flips, it's still a FLip, which has significant disadvantages over other palmcorders:

1) It is not expandable -- which is unique among these devices. Even $15 Chinese generic models usually have an SD slot. Once you run outof memory, that's it. You either have to start deleting videos or find a computer to download them. THere are no built-in editing features for your to get rid of junk footage to regain memory.
...

Excellent review, with alike problems as the most popular Amazon reviewer's for the MinoHD 8GB, who says it's worth no more than $20: http://www.amazon.com/Flip-MinoHD-Video-Camera-Generation/dp/B0040702I4/#R29ZB7MSWUQX09.

This is stupid because you really don't need 60fps unless there is fast movement, i.e sports.

Glue is fast; rockets are swift; pizza is speedy; birds are quick; deeds are hasty; motes are fleet. http://google.com/groups?q=%22Comparisons+for+the+illiterate%22+fast.

leehector wrote:How nice are the stills taken from the video of this camera? What quality are they?

Very nescient, as there are none.

alysdexia wrote:Very nescient, as there are none.

Yes there are. The included software allows you to take stills from the videos.

stans39 wrote:Does this Flip have any advantage over the iPhone 4?

Doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

ben242 wrote:I like this deal, ordered one unit. I have a Canon 5D Mark II, which is awesome for HD video (although the buit-in mic is terrible, FYI), but I would never dream of mounting the 5D on the handlebars of my bike and riding around NYC with it.

A $40 Flip, on the other hand, is perfect to put on my bike! Stoked! And shopping for a good handlebar mount. Anyone have a recommendation? Tons of different parts on ebay, but I'm never used one before, not sure if there's a "best" one.

Check out Amazon for the handlebar mount. There is a tripod that morphs http://www.amazon.com/Flip-Video-AAT1B-Action-Tripod/dp/B003N7NPF4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1318359564&sr=8-3

Did anyone get notice of shipping yet? I like the deals here but man, why does it take so long to get something shipped, and of course it's almost always smartpost. I need this think for a gift. C'mon woot...enough with the daily e-mails, improve your shipping.

genii69 wrote:The following is from the what is woot link on woot's main page...

"I missed yesterday's item, can I still get one?

No. Each woot.com product is discontinued at 11:59pm central time. That's that. Period. We may get more at a later date if we're lucky, but we offer no guarantees, we allow no backorders, and we have no waiting/notification lists. Too bad."

their back up right now!!!!!

porcia83 wrote:Did anyone get notice of shipping yet? I like the deals here but man, why does it take so long to get something shipped, and of course it's almost always smartpost. I need this think for a gift. C'mon woot...enough with the daily e-mails, improve your shipping.

yes! when are these gonna be shipped? i'm leaving on saturday morning for a month in ecuador and wanted to bring this along... i think chances of making it to me before then are dwindling

I bought one and I loved it. I said a couple of times, "I need to get another one of these" and I DID!!! I shoot videos in skating rinks and there's not always the best lighting. This thing rocks plus I get to skate as well and not have to carry around bulky equipment or worry about it in case I get bumped or fall.

Great video. Long battery life. Wonderful shots in low light. In fact, I don't think I've ever used it during daylight hours. Better get yourself one before they're all gone. I do hate the company is going away but...that's life. Thanks for the chance to at least use the Flip and buy another one.

Also, I never cared for making still shots with this. I have a real camera for that. As for the support from the company, it's only $39 not $399... Use it until you can't anymore. The thing I care about most - low light video - is wonderful. If the vid is too muddy, I just bring it up a little with video editing software...

WOOT!

FOr those wanting a sample of vid shot with the FLip:
http://www.youtube.com/user/sk8queen?ob=5#p/u/1/Ru9Vg1GNGMo

Purchased 10/7/11 but has not shipped. Does anyone have word about a shipping delay?

yeah, I haven't gotten any shipping news, either :/

minibarmatchman wrote:yeah, I haven't gotten any shipping news, either :/

Me neither. I wonder when its going to ship.

Sure wish I had my Flip now. No word on shipping either. Has anyone ever purchased something that they actually rec'd from Woot! ? This was my first purchase.

Nearing the five day mark and still no word on shipping.....

Wootbot just sent me an email informing me my Flip has shipped. Just thought you might like to know....

Having never bought anything from woot, curious if anyone has an idea how long the flip cam will take to arrive. Tacking number is of no help.

RV617 wrote:Wootbot just sent me an email informing me my Flip has shipped. Just thought you might like to know....

malen33 wrote:Having never bought anything from woot, curious if anyone has an idea how long the flip cam will take to arrive. Tacking number is of no help.

I think it usually takes things about 5 - 7 days from shipping date to get to me here in Boston via SmartPost. The tracking number will give you a delivery estimate in another day or so.

Received an email last night. My Flip has been shipped.

No Email for me yet - The waiting is the hardest part - why can't Woot have a "Prime" membership like Amazon?

jeffreyschulman wrote:No Email for me yet - The waiting is the hardest part - why can't Woot have a "Prime" membership like Amazon?

Ditto. And I could really use these in time for my wedding, Oct 22. hint hint.

Sportzcoop wrote:Ditto. And I could really use these in time for my wedding, Oct 22. hint hint.

Knowing full well how slow woot is, I still thought something I bought on the 7th would be here before I left for vacation on the 21st! As it is, I guess my new game is to guess how many days it sits on my doorstep while I'm gone, before some passerby decides to "liberate" it.

No notification for me yet either.

Hey WOOT... forget the shipping and email. I'm in Carrollton every day anyway. I'll just pick it up in person, ok?

EDIT: Got my email yesterday night (10/13), says it will be delivered by the 18th. My experience tells me that it might get here a day or so before that.

Just so you guys know I got my shipping notification the other day. Mine left Woot on the 12th. It's scheduled to arrive on the 17th. Not so terrible.

I've been lurking on Woot for close to two years and this is my first purchase. I must say I'm a little disappointed in the time for getting my order processed and shipped. Order processed Oct 7th, shipped out on the 13th, delivery expected for the 18th according to the tracking number info

unitas wrote:I've been lurking on Woot for close to two years and this is my first purchase. I must say I'm a little disappointed in the time for getting my order processed and shipped. Order processed Oct 7th, shipped out on the 13th, delivery expected for the 18th according to the tracking number info

Don't worry about it. Don't you know that the Woot warehouse employs all the Oompa-Loompas that were laid off when Wonka Chocolates was bought out by a big corporation and went to automated production?

Give them a break...they have short legs and don't move too quick.

Mine arrived today and I'm currently letting the software update itself. My first official video from this came out very good. I'm happy with my purchase!

bobbyshawatl wrote:Mine arrived today and I'm currently letting the software update itself. My first official video from this came out very good. I'm happy with my purchase!

Mine also got here today. Charging it up and will record drunken antics tonight.

Thankfully received my order today-- it was a birthday gift for my dad (his BD is tomorrow!) and was scheduled to arrive Monday.. I kept my fingers crossed because Smartpost occasionally arrives a day early so was pretty happy to see it showing up today.

Of course since the time I ordered this he got a new cell phone which likely will take almost as good (or better) video than this, which was a big part of the reason I got it for him..... oh well!

Mine arrived here in Austin yesterday (Saturday). Pretty cool.