Since its appearance, YouTube has become a lot more than a website, video-sharing service or whatever else you might want to call it. In fact, YouTube has become a social issue, with numerous people doing all sort of stuff just in order to upload it to their personal accounts and who knows, maybe become famous, with a little luck.
In the service's early beginnings, most of the video clips uploaded to YouTube were either shot using mobile phone cameras or low-end camcorders. However, the manufacturers of such video imaging devices have decided to bank on this trend so they've begun launching all sorts of ultra-compact devices, which combine a fairly small form factor with more or less average recording options and a very user-friendly control system.
One of the most interesting products of this type to arrive on the market lately is the Flip MinoHD (launched in the second half of 2008) from Pure Digital Technologies, a device that builds on the platform of the previous Mino model, but adds HD-grade recording, probably in order to make use of YouTube's latest HD video service. So, without further ado, let's see what a male and female user of the MinoHD have to say about it.
Design
He says: To tell you the truth, the design of the MinoHD is of little importance. Actually, I consider it pretty plain, ugly even. Sure, you can choose a more colorful version, but it still looks like one black piece of plastic, fitted with a red button. No, without a doubt, some of the other YouTube – oriented cameras available out there are a lot more attractive, but I guess that the external design doesn't even matter that much, at least as far as this thing does what it's supposed to do.
She says: The Flip MinoHD camcorder from Pure Digital looks identical to its standard-def sibling, the Mino, but that doesn't make for a drawback, since it's pocket-friendly design is a very attractive feature. If you want to buy it directly from the company, it comes in black only. However, if you want to purchase it via Flip's website, you can actually get it in several custom versions (no extra cost), that might brighten your day with their vibrant colors and interesting patterns.
The only visible difference between the MinoHD and the Mino models seems to be the fact that the lens appears set further back in the body on the former, while the silver trim on the MinoHD has gone from matte to reflective silver. And that's about it. However, no matter the differences and resemblances, the MinoHD remains the world's smallest HD-ready digital camcorder and the fact that you can actually adapt its design and adjust it to your personal style and preferences is definitely a plus.
Features
He says: Besides the shooting-related features (which I'll talk about in the performance section), it's interesting to note that the MinoHD sports a fairly OK optics system - Fixed Focus (1.5m to infinity), with a f/2.4 (fast lens for great results in low-light environments), as well as a 1.5-inch LCD display, which allows users to view what they're shooting or review the videos.
Furthermore, the control interface is also quite interesting, since it features touch-sensitive buttons, which grant access to several useful functions, including the possibility of fast-forwarding, pausing or rewinding the videos.
Another very important issue is related to the start-up time, which is vital, especially if you want to catch something very interesting that's going on in front of you. Hence, the device will power up in just 4 seconds, which should prove to be enough (of course, it won't catch Superman flying past by, but that's a whole different story).
She says: But its sleek design and sheer simplicity of lines are by far MinoHD's greatest features. Thus, this high-resolution camcorder features a 1.5-inch transreflective LCD display, which allows you to see what's on the screen, even in bright daylight. The back navigation controls have responsive touch-sensitive buttons embedded into a shiny, flush surface.
Moreover, the MinoHD sports a built-in flip-out USB 2.0 interface, a built-in speaker, wide-range microphone, TV-Out and tripod mount. Power-up time is less than 4 seconds and there's a power saver function featured, as well as basic functions like Play All, Pause, FF/Rewind or Set Date/Time.
Performance
He says: Despite the HD moniker attached to its name, the device from Pure Digital Technologies is not a Full HD camcorder. Hence, it only records videos in 1280x720 pixel resolution (720p), which, despite not being as great as 1080p, is still quite enough for YouTube-related purposes.
The digital recorder comes equipped with a
1/4.5-inch HD CMOS sensor, and also boasts an ultra-low light sensitivity level (1.4 V/lux-sec), being apparently able to record videos in very low light with no significant loss of quality. Videos are recorded using H.264 video compression at 9.0Mbps (auto-adaptive algorithm) and 30 FPS, the camera's 4GB internal memory holding up to 60 minutes of video.
Furthermore, the device also provides automatic white balance and black level calibration, providing automatic exposure control with dynamic exposure compensation. The zoom level is not particularly bad (multi-step 2x digital), but we can't call it great either.
The camera is powered by an internal battery, which lasts for around two hours before requiring a recharge (three hours via USB or two hours via a power adapter).
All in all, the MinoHD offers a pretty good level of performance, although you shouldn't really expect any miracles from it.
She says: When it comes to performances, the MinoHD comes with a 4GB internal memory and features 60 minutes of recording time, although this can vary, based on recorded content. With a resolution of 1280x720, this “YouTube” camcorder sports ultra low-light sensitivity with automatic low-light detection.
The supported video formats are H.264 video compression, AAC audio compression, MP4 file format, while its internal Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery guarantees up to two hours of use between charges. The Mino HD can be charged either via USB port (approx. three hours), or via power adapter (approx. two hours).
User Friendly
He says: Since it's been designed specifically to record videos for YouTube, there's really nothing complicated about the MinoHD as far as the usability is concerned. Practically, all the user will ever have to do is simply push the big red button in order to record video. Then, by connecting the camcorder to a computer, they'll be able to upload the videos to a computer and then to YouTube. Everything's extremely simple, and if you know how to work with a computer, you'll surely have no problems operating this thing.
She says: Unlike some of its competitors, the MinoHD provides virtually no settings to fiddle with apart from setting the date and time. You shoot in one resolution and that's it. There's no choice to drop to a lower video resolution to store more video. Basically, the MinoHD camcorder is all about pushing the red button to start and stop recording and hit the playback button to see what you recorded and that's pretty much it.
Value for Money
He says: When it was first launched, the Flip MinoHD was actually a pretty sweet deal, with its 230 US dollar price tag. However, after several new ultra-compact camcorders emerged at this year's CES, some of them providing much better features (Sony's
Webbie HD) or lower price points (Kodak's
Zi6), the MinoHD doesn't seem that great, all of a sudden. However, if the manufacturers do slash the prices a little bit, the device will maintain a pretty good value for money (especially since it's the only model currently available in stores).
She says: The MinoHD retails for approximately 230 US dollars. Taking into consideration the fact that its direct competitor, the Kodak Zi6 Pocket Video Camera, sells for about 180 US dollars, it's basically up to you if you want to go for the MinoHD or wait for a bargain from elsewhere.
Cool Factor
He says: Given the fact that YouTube, as well as other video-sharing services, are still very popular and will remain so in the future, it's very likely that the Flip MinoHD will also manage to maintain its level of “coolness” for a longer period of time. However, given the fact that technology evolves at a very fast pace nowadays, the people over at Pure Digital Technologies will have to upgrade this model in order for it to keep up with its competitors.
She says: The MinoHD is everything but uncool. Its design and features combo make it a great device to have around; its user-friendliness makes it stand out from a sea of gadgets. Judging by the fact that it's still one of the few camcorders of its type, I'd say it's still gonna be with us for some time, so you wouldn't make a bad investment if you got it.
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