Flip Video Flip UltraHD

Ease of Use (8.50)

If we had to pick one single element that is keeping the Flip at the head of the ultracompact class, we would have to pick ease of use. Pure Digital has clung to the bare bones minimum when it comes to these tiny camcorders... the new Flip UltraHD is no exception. There is no menu, no manual controls, and no clutter of options and buttons. The UltraHD records video, plays video, and has a 2x digital zoom. That's it. Just about everyone you know could pick up the UltraHD and figure out how to use it: more than we can say for nearly every other camcorder on the market.

To make the whole process even easier, the UltraHD has the same built-in editing and upload software that its predecessors had. Making minor edits and uploading a video to YouTube couldn't be easier.

Meanwhile, the competition hasn't been able to successfully mimic the Flip formula. The Sony MHS-PM1 is far more complicated, with an array of options, a complicated menu system, and frustrating software for uploading to YouTube. Sanyo's VPC-CG10 is also more complex than anything in the Flip series. Even the Kodak Zx1, which is easier to use than the Sony or the Sanyo, is more complicated than the Flip UltraHD.

Some may prefer to have the options offered by the Webbie or other more complex ultracompacts, but if ease of use is your sole concern, the Flip UltraHD from Pure Digital reigns supreme.

Handling (7.00)

Despite being nearly twice as thick as the MinoHD, the Flip UltraHD is still a very compact camcorder. It should fit comfortably in the palm and it feels like an oversized cell phone. The UltraHD also has a soft, rubbery coating on its front and back, which makes the camcorder easier to grip than the slick plastic design on the Flip Mino. The extra size and weight of the UltraHD also makes it less prone to sudden drops or falls. there is also the option of using the wrist strap that comes with the camcorder.

The Flip UltraHD is small in hand, though larger than the MinoHD.

The back of the Flip UltraHD should be immediately recognizable to anyone who has used a Flip camcorder. The large buttons are easy to understand and make things simple for beginners and technophobes alike. Buttons are meant to be manipulated with your thumb and everything can be controlled using only one hand. This all makes for a very easy user experience.

The controls on the back might remind you of a lot of cellphones.

Compared to the Flip Mino, the Flip UltraHD actually offers a better handling experience. While the layout of the buttons is nearly identical on the Flip Mino and MinoHD, its buttons are all touch-sensitive (with the exception of the red record button). These touch-sensitive buttons can often be frustrating as they do not physically push in, thus they can leave the user wondering whether or not the camcorder recognised the touch in the first place. The Flip UltraHD utilises real, tangible buttons for each of its features on the back of the camcorder. The playback and delete buttons offer audible clicks as you tap them with your thumb, and the directional pad that surrounds the record button softly presses down when you touch it. We found this design simpler to work with.
 

Stabilization (0.0)

The Flip UltraHD, like most camcorders in its category, does not offer any kind of digital or optical image stabilization. (More on how we test stabilization.)

Portability (11.84)

The UltraHD is considerably larger than the MinoHD.

Compared to the Flip Mino, the Flip UltraHD actually looks large. It is nearly double the weight and thickness of the Mino and this added size does make it less portable. While the Flip Mino is smaller than many cell phones and fits seamlessly into your pocket, the Flip UltraHD is more than 2 cm thick, which may make it uncomfortable for pocket transport. Still, the Flip UltraHD is a tiny camcorder and it is light enough to take anywhere. It also features 8GB of internal memory, which is double the capacity of the MinoHD. There are worlds between the Flip and the Sony MHS-PM1 (12MB) though, but the Sony is a lot smaller.

The only bigger and less portable camcorder in this set is the Sanyo VPC-CG10, which doesn't fit in any pockets with its exceptional design.

The camcorder comes with an ineffective bag of holding that is barely large enough to store the camcorder. When inside, the top of the bag doesn't fully enclose around the camcorder, leaving the top of the Flip UltraHD exposed. The camcorder is such a tight fit in the bag, that it also can be a bit of a nuisance to get the Flip UltraHD inside. A wrist strap ships with the camcorder and attaches to a link on the bottom of the Flip UltraHD.

Battery Life (4.95)

The Flip UltraHD lasted for 99 minutes in our battery test (1 hour, 38 minutes, and 33 seconds exactly). We tested the camcorder using its provided rechargeable battery pack, which charges by connecting the camcorder to a computer's USB port. The camcorder can also run on 2 regular AA batteries, which, according to the Flip's website, should provide longer battery life. (More on how we test battery life.)

Battery Life Comparisons

 
In comparison, the Sony MHS-PM1 lasted quite a bit longer in our test (124 minutes), but that camcorder has an internal battery that cannot be removed. The Kodak Zx1 also features an internal battery, and it lasted for 93 minutes in our test. It can run on 2 regular AA batteries and it ships with a set of rechargeable ones.

A power adapter is available for the Flip UltraHD, which enables you to recharge the device using an ordinary power outlet (see image below). This item is good to have, especially if you plan on travelling and do not expect to have a computer USB port handy to charge the camcorder. Pure Digital's website also claims this power adapter will result in faster charge times. Unfortunately, the design of the Flip UltraHD USB arm makes it difficult to connect the camcorder to the power adapter (not to mention a laptop computer).
 

You can supply your own AA batteries or use the rechargeable battery pack that ships with it.		Plug the Ultra in to your computer or buy this USB wall charger from the Flip site (not included with purchase).

LCD & Viewfinder (5.31)

The Flip UltraHD features a 2-inch colour LCD with a 230,400-pixel resolution. This is the same screen featured on the new Flip Ultra standard definition model. The screen is plastered to the back of the camcorder and cannot rotate, swivel, or pivot. The screen cannot move at all, which makes the camcorder more compact, but also makes things very difficult if you're filming at an odd angle or if there is lots of glare. The screen is coated with a glossy coating as well, which made glare even more of a nuisance.

There is no viewfinder on the Flip UltraHD.

The 2-inch, 230,400-pixel resolution LCD.

Menus (5.00)

As with all the Flip camcorders before it, there is only one menu on the Flip UltraHD—and if you don't look quickly you are bound to miss it. The menu can only be accessed right after you turn the camcorder on from a powered-down state. After pressing the power button, you have a little more than a second to press and hold down the record button to access the menu. It is a bit of a strange process, but the menu is so limited that its doubtful you will have to access it more than once.

You can hold down the Record button during start-up to access the bare bones Setup interface.

When the menu is opened, the camcorder first asks you to set the date and time. After these two screens comes an option to turn off the camcorder's tones (i.e. the noises it makes when you press buttons). The last menu screen lets you turn the record lamp on or off. That's it. There are no other menus or options on the Flip UltraHD.