Flip Video Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (White) - U2120W

flip ultra HD is better than expected

3/16/2010

My company bought a similar model for employees. I played with one for a few minutes and decided to buy one for myself. Better than any video camera that I have owned in past and much, much lower in cost. Performs perfectly and the video is sharp as a nail. Great for general video, not for macro.

Flip camera support - terrible!

3/16/2010

I bought this camera with the idea of emailing short videos to friends and family, as the literature suggests it's designed to do.

Well, upon engaging the "Email" function, I find that little works. I cannot send a video (it just sits there dumb) and cannot access or add email addresses to it.

OK, I sign up with customer service and after filling out all the forms I receive an email back that contains no answer but suggests that I call them, which I do.

Upon reaching a customer service rep, which went quite quickly, it turns out that not only do they not have my correct name connected with my case number (it was someone else's name entirely) but they have my phone number with numbers transposed and none of the information I had originally filled out and sent. Huh?

The bottom line is that my problem is caused by a single letter domain; in my case [...]. Their system cannot account for a single letter domain. So it was originally suggested that I find a new domain...like I'll find a new ISP just to allow this camera's software to function correctly, right?

I responded as calmly as I could (while blood was boiling out my ears) and after a few minutes pause the customer service rep came back with the statement from a supervisor that they are working on this problem. I don't know how many people before me complained, but q.com is a pretty common domain in Arizona and I can't believe I'm the first one to complain. So how long have they been working on it? I couldn't get an answer to that question.

Another problem with this software is that it buries the videos somewhere and, I guess, changes the file name, as I can't find them anywhere. I don't like not having control over files on my computer, but the lame excuse goven by "Flip" is that they don't want the customer to inadvertently delete or corrupt the videos. Please spare me.

The screen is very difficult to see in bright daylight, but I suppose that's just something to get used to when one purchases a cheap camera. Another real problem is plugging this into a USB port on my computer...it hangs and connection is intermittent. The company is clever enough to sell a three-pack of USB extensions, however. Like one would need three, right? It should've come with the camera to begin with. I'm going to Frys to find *one* at a reasonable price.

Bottom line...I'm sorry I wasted my money on this thing and the optional "goodies" I purchased separately. Once again, done in by advertising and cheap Asian crap.

FLIP is a FLOP! Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes

3/16/2010

FLIP is a FLOP! Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes
As modern parents on the go we had a scheduling conflict this weekend. My husband was with our youngest at a hockey tournament and I was with our oldest at the State Wrestling Finals. Because of the seating at the arenas and fast motion of the players, he took the Canon Camcorder. A week before the meet, we ordered the Flip UltraHD Camcorder so I can video our sons wrestling matches.
We charged the OEM battery for 24 hours before using it. We recorded a couple minutes to get a feel for how it works. The camera is basically very simple to use. When you're used to a professional grade video recorder it almost seems too simple.
We packed it up for the weekend with all of the optional accessories, carry case, rubber sleeve, additional rechargeable NiMH batteries (Just in case....) I even brought the laptop so I can use the USB port to charge the unit between matches.
I was able to video his first match which lasted all of three minutes. When getting ready for the second match, I pressed the power button to get the correct visual setting and nothing! No power it was dead! Not only was I upset that a brand new camera was dead, I also missed recording the last four matches of his Junior Wrestling Career! Memories gone!!!
Sunday night I sent an email to tech support explaining the situation in detail. I got the standard email, "Did you charge the battery fully?... What type of port did you plug it into, press the power and red buttons at the same time...." It was still dead as a door nail! They were not very helpful.
I got tired of the email chain with Tier 1 tech support. So, I called Tech Support instead. That was just as comical as the emails. He notified me that I had a 30 day Warranty. I quickly checked the website where it clearly stated that the Warranty is 90 days. Keep in mind they only warranty their products for 90 days, I don't think they have much trust in their products with a 90 day warranty! It's sad when Tech support has no idea the Warranty of the products. I also had to push them hard for an RMA.
I now have the RMA and the unit is going back. After losing the memories of my child's last wrestling tournament forever, I'm not sure I can trust FLIP with any more of my family's precious memories. I've been a long time Canon customer and feel bad that I strayed from the family. We have 20 years of footage shot on Canon cameras it's time to go back! Just because the camera is inexpensive doesn't mean your footage is unimportant.

Ruby's Mom

3/15/2010

I really love this little camera. My niece stationed over in Okinawa has one and sends videos of the baby all the time., so I inquired of her to see if she "loves" it and
she did., so I bought one. We have an Alaskan Cruise coming up in May and I am going to take along. I love my investment.

Fun, Easy; Have a Few Suggestions

3/15/2010

Overall, very fun and easy to use. I suggest buying the following items though.

1) an extension USB cord
2) better carrying case than what it comes with
3) the AC adapter as it takes me about 2 hours for it to charge on my computer
4) the videos are in mp4 format, so you might need to buy a converter software; I did for about $29.