The tiny-and-popular line of Flip Mino camcorders has a new addition with the MinoHD. It’s basically a Flip Mino that – you guessed it – records at 1280 x 720 resolution onto four gigabytes of onboard memory. The camera appears to be about the same as the regular Mino except for some updated software, the higher resolution, the 4GB of storage, and the $229.99 price tag versus the standard Mino at $179.99.
Like the standard Mino, you can personalize your MinoHD with your own graphics at TheFlip.com for free with purchase or you’ll be able to pick up a MinoHD in black at retailers like Amazon.com, Best Buy, Target, and Staples.
I’ll be very, very interested to see how the MinoHD sells versus the standard Mino since the whole idea of these camcorders is to not overload users bothersome stuff like “features”. Will the simple addition of “HD” be enough to persuade people to spend an extra $50 on a point-and-shoot camcorder? It’ll be a true testament to the power of the high-definition movement in general.
I’m guessing that the $229 price point might scare more than a few people off. It takes the cute, fun Mino into more serious territory. I think Flip would have an easier time selling the HD idea if the company had added a flip-and-swivel LCD and an optical zoom – two added features that wouldn’t complicate things for users at all, but would make a world of difference as far as utility is concerned.
I lent the standard Mino to a non-technical friend of mine so he could film some stuff at a wedding and he returned it to me saying how impressed he was at how easy the thing is to operate. I was curious to see how much he thought a camera like the Mino should cost. He replied, “I don’t know. Fifty bucks? Maybe eighty?” I told him it sold for $180 and his response was, “That’s ridiculous, who would pay that much?” As it turns out, plenty of people are happy to pay for simplicity when it comes to video cameras (as Flip knows). But will those people pay almost $250 for simplicity plus HD?
Flip Video [TheFlip.com]
Full press release:
Pure Digital Introduces Flip Mino HD – The World’s Smallest HD Camcorder
Tiny camcorder and new FlipShare software make it simple to capture and share stunning HD video
San Francisco, CA – November 12, 2008 – The maker of Flip Video™ – the best-selling family of affordable and simple-to-use digital camcorders – today introduced its latest breakthrough product: the Flip Mino HD. The world’s smallest HD camcorder at just over 3 oz., the remarkably slim Flip Mino HD makes capturing and sharing HD video easy and affordable for the first time. The stylish camcorder from Pure Digital Technologies, priced at $229.95 (MSRP), records up to 60 minutes of HD video and features Flip Video’s new FlipShare software. This breakthrough on-board software application allows consumers to plug the camcorder’s signature flip-out USB arm into any computer for easy organizing, editing and sharing on YouTube, MySpace, AOL Video or via email.
This latest innovation from Pure Digital Technologies builds on the success of its wildly popular Flip Video camcorder line. After just one full year in the marketplace, Flip Video has sold over 1.5 million camcorders and currently has the number one best-selling camcorder in the U.S., according to the latest rankings from leading market research firm NPD.
“Consumers have embraced Flip Video because it delivers on the promise of making video simple, affordable, and fun,” said Jonathan Kaplan, Pure Digital’s chairperson and CEO. “Flip Mino HD, along with FlipShare software, now make it easy for anyone to capture and share their stories in stunning HD quality.”
Flip Mino HD comes equipped with FlipShare – Flip Video’s next-generation built-in software application. FlipShare features a simple drag-and-drop interface to make it simple for Flip owners to organize, edit and share their HD videos. FlipShare enables fast and simple video emailing and one-click uploading to YouTube, MySpace, and AOL Video. Users can also create custom movies, complete with music and credits, and capture HD still photos from their videos. FlipShare is fully compatible with Windows software as well as Apple’s Mac video applications including QuickTime, iMovie, and iDVD. FlipShare is also available as an upgrade to anyone who already owns a Flip Video camcorder.
With its introduction, Mino HD also becomes the first and only “designable” HD camcorder. Using Flip Video’s next-generation personalization platform, launched last month on theflip.com, consumers can choose from thousands of professional designs or custom-design their own Flip Mino or Flip Mino HD at no extra cost. Additionally, consumers have the option to share their designs on theflip.com to earn commissions for themselves or non-profit causes.
Flip Mino HD Features and Availability:
· Weight: 3.3 oz.
· Resolution: HD 720p
· 4 GB of internal memory to record up to 60 minutes of HD video
· 1.5 inch anti-glare LCD display
· Internal, lithium ion battery recharges when USB arm is connected to computer
· One-touch recording with 2x digital zoom
· Touch-sensitive buttons for recording, playback, fast forward, rewind, pause and delete
· TV connection for instant viewing (cable included)
· Tripod Mount
· Available in black at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Wal-Mart.com, theflip.com and leading retailers
· Completely “designable” at theflip.com
· Suggested retail price: $229.95
New FlipShare Software Features:
· On-board application installs directly when connected to PC or Mac
· Simple drag-and-drop interface for easy browsing, playback, organization and archiving
· Integrated online video publishing to YouTube, MySpace, and AOL Video
· Free, unlimited private emailing of videos and video greeting cards
· Custom editing of movies, with the option to use your own music and add titles/credits
· Capture HD still photos from video
· Order DVDs online and have them shipped anywhere in the world