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Snowball Reviews...Flip Video Ultra
I have been waiting anxiously to be able to review this for you guys and gals for the past week or so. This is by far the coolest thing I have ever received to review for you my friends. Thanks to Miranda for getting this to me.
Good news is, if you are in Canada, today is the official launch of The Flip Video Family to the Great White North! You can buy the Flip Video's at WalMart's now and in Futureshop stores in mid June!
First of all, a Summary of the Flip Video. I did this as a Geek Gadgets Review for This Week in Geek. This was recorded on the Flip Video Ultra, as well as edited using the built in Software.
Click "Read More" for the full review...
Since it's a tech gadget review, I'm going to review this in several different categories. Ease of Use, Positives, Negatives, Geek/Fun Factor, and then Overall Summary.
So let's review!
Ease of Use:
You can't get any easier with this thing. Literally like the video above said, all you do is turn it on, push the big red button and that's it, You're recording! This little camcorder is not only for the Point and Shoot Crowd, but it is a perfect gift for your parents, your grandparents, or anyone that's not necessarily tech savvy.
Even the software is easy to use. All you have to do is plug it in to your computer using the built in USB Dongle and the software automatically loads up, and you can edit, or share your videos online!
There is nothing more simple than that. Pure Digital Technologies really got the simplicity with this one. They are the Apple Computers of the Camcorder World.
Ease of Use - 
5/5 Snowballs
Okay so this is something I'm doing different with the reviews, mainly because it's harder to categorize a Tech Gadget review into simple categories. So no 5 out of 5 Snowballs here. Just simple Facts.
Positives:
1) Good Quality - Does 640x480, 30 Frames per second, mpeg quality video. This is perfect quality if you are on the go.
2) Size - Compact, light weight, fits in your pocket. As for the built in memory, you can get from 30 minutes up to 60 minutes of video footage. No need to worry about how much hard drive space you have left.
3) Software - Simple, Easy to Use. With the ability to upload video clips to YouTube, AOL Video, Myspace, and any other video sharing site, this is a bonus that you can do it right in the software itself. Runs on PC or Mac. For PC users, the Magic Mix gives you several Video Styles to edit your movies in. Plus, you can add music to the video using the built in music or you can add your own mp3.
Negatives:
1) Low light - This can have issues in regards to low light situations, but it still is a far better choice and a much cheaper choice than what you would get in this category.
2) Software - Now granted, the positives on the software are great, but on the Mac, it can be troublesome. You can't edit and splice together clips into one movie on the Mac, you can only view them and upload them. This may be fixed with a new software update, but for the current version (v.3.1) that's the only problem on that end. For PC users, the Magic Mix feature is great, but when adding music, the music does sometimes drown out the video and is a bit too loud, which you can't adjust. And the compressing quality of the video is not as great either. Like I said before, this can easily be fixed with a software update.
Geek/Fun Factor:
This thing is sooo fun to use, I want to do more video blog posts with this thing. It's perfectly suited for that! I can't say anything more than that.
As for Geek Factor, this is perfect for if you are at a tech conference or just a con in general and want to record a quick video of anything. Plus it's great for quick interviews if you are a podcaster, or just to do videoblogging.
Geek/Fun Factor - 
5/5 Snowballs
Overall Summary:
With the negatives in mind, the positives still out weigh the negatives. This is a great video camera. Like I said in the video, don't expect to make a Hollywood Blockbuster Movie with the flip, but for those that want to shoot video on the go, it's perfect.
You can pick up the Flip Video at http://theflip.com or if you are in Canada you can now buy them at Walmart now for around $159 or you can pick them up at Futureshop stores in mid June.
Overall- 4/5 Snowballs
Make sure to check out this blog on June 17th to 23rd as I am going to be posting videos using the Flip Video Ultra while Mike and I are heading to Dallas Texas for the Ironman of Gaming Competition put on by the folks at http://screwattack.com.
If you are in Dallas or in that area, email me or contact me through Twitter http://twitter.com/stevesaylor and we will see about meeting up!
Anyway, if you would like to share your thoughts on this review or the Flip Video Ultra, by all means leave a comment below.
So that's it for this weeks edition of Snowball's Reviews, tune in next time, Same Snowball Time, Same Snowball Channel!!!
As always, I remain, obediently yours.
Steve "Snowball" Saylor
Hey that was great. I saw a Youtube vid of May Dent Singing Oh Paris. He played different parts during the song in different locations but it all synchronized with the song. Do you by chance know how to do that? or the program I would buy that could do it? thanks in advance, more lessons from you would be great
Thanks for the comment!
To answer your question, I'm not sure how May Dent would have done it specifically. But there are some tricks to attempt that. It is mainly done through technique more so than software. It's the editing that it all comes together, but here is what I would suggest.
1) When recording yourself playing each instrument, listen to the song as you are playing. Either through headphones or from somewhere else. That way you aren't lost and the timing for playing is synced as you are recording. Think of how you would lip sync to a song playing. Same idea.
2) Do a visual cue to match a sound. If you notice in movies they have the clapper board. Before each take of a shot some guy appears with a board that has a hinge that they raise to clap down to start a take. That's there for a reason. It is a visual cue to not only tell the movie editor which scene is being shot, but it allows the editor to sync up the sound of the clapping of the clapper board with the sound that was being recorded on set. You can do the same thing. You don't need a clapper board, but you can clap your hands before you start playing. That way you can sync the beginning of the song to your claps on each shot of you playing each instrument and that way all the shots will sync together.
3) Editing is where you can tweak the sound and the video afterwards. Video editors have the ability to see video and audio in two separate tracks so you can adjust where the song begins which you can sync to your clapping on screen.
Hope that helps!
As always, I remain, obediently yours....
Steve "Snowball" Saylor
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