Have a look at this film shot by Groove Armada fans using Flip Video Cameras.

FlipShare 5.0 is now available (US) HERE.

FlipShare 5.0 Software Features:

Pre-loaded software to organize, edit, and share videos
Works on a PC or Mac
Email videos and video greeting cards
Upload videos instantly to Facebook™, YouTube™ and MySpace™
Create Flip Channels to share content privately with groups of friends or family
Share instantly to mobile phones using the FlipShare Mobile app
Share instantly to any TV using FlipShare TV
Capture HD snapshots from videos
Watch videos on-the-go at FlipShare.com
Create movies or use Magic Movie to create custom movies in moments

FlipShare Mobile Features:

Available for iPhone, Blackberry, and Google’s Android platform (at no cost)
Mobile Devices currently supported: Apple iPhone, iPod touch; Blackberry Curve 8520, Curve 8900, and Bold 9000; Google G1 (T-Mobile) and MyTouch (T-Mobile)
View favorite FlipShare videos and photos
Access their personal Flip Channels
Watch Flip Channels from friends and family
Create playlists (iPhone) and favorites
Share videos by email or on Facebook
Users can find the links for the iPhone, Blackberry and Android mobile apps on the www.FlipShare.com site or at their respective app stores

$10 Off Coupon from Flip Video, extended till 2/28!

Use Coupon Code : FLIP10 at checkout

Check out Mark Ray’s video ‘flipstring’. Another case of how versatile the Flip can be if you dare. In this work the Videomaker swings his Flip over his head. Nice moves.

In my day job I work as a TV Director making Reality and Factual Entertainment TV.

This gives me an instant focus to my work. Although I love shooting home video on my Flip it’s great when I film for work with a goal in mind: to shoot and shape hours of footage on a topic into a (hopefully) entertaining show for others to watch.

So you got your Flip for Christmas, and you’ve randomly filmed family activities, fun and games for the past few days! This type of footage is precious to keep for years to come as people grow older but it can easily get swamped amidst the thousands of clips you will shoot.

I find that more Produced films can really stick in the mind. So I recommend setting yourself a more defined project for the New Year.

This is what ‘Producing’ Video is all about: having a plan before you shoot. Here are just 4 examples of the type of projects I mean, but I am sure you have some of your own. Please add a comment or link to share your ideas.

1. Sit your Kid down in front of a plain background, think about the lighting (add some desk lights if you don’t have a lighting kit). Stick the Flip on a tripod or wedge it steady on a chair and interview your child. Plan a few questions in advance, name, age, favorite colour, favorite toy, what they want to be when they grow up? etc. You’ll get a really nice record of your child and it will be shot differently and more focussed than grabbed soundbites in the kitchen.

2. As above, but make a record of an elderly parent or relative. Old people love to tell stories from earlier life, you’ve probably heard them 20x but how great to record them for future generations.

3. Your House. Maybe 2010 is the year when the housing market picks up? Who knows, but it’s always great to make a film about your house so when you move you have a record of where you lived. You could even shoot one as part of the sales pitch if you are selling. You could simply walk around (slowly and steadily) and narrate the features of the house behind the camera. Even better shoot lots of cutaways of details and sweeping shots of the rooms and cut them in MTV Cribs style! Use fast motion in the edit to speed up slow bits as you walk between rooms.

4. Friends chat show. How often do we just grab the camera and shoot random chat with friends, but when you watch it back it seems all over the place. Next time you have gathered a few friends at home or in a Cafe, produce the conversation. What I mean is like any Chat Show Producer you need to introduce themes and topics and focus the talk around that. So for example, you could ask everyone to talk about the “The first time I met you I thought ….” or “The funniest time we ever had was …” You get the picture.

Do you like the designer Flip Mino pictured above? If you are in the US you can find it here.

This entry level Flip Ultra 2nd Generation in Black is sticking firmly in the Amazon Bestsellers list as we head towards 2010. If you can’t quite raise the funds for the HD model then this is the Flip for you.

Tech Specs:

• 2 Inch Screen
• 120 mins record time
• 960 x 240 resolution
• 1/4″ VGA CMOS Sensor 5.6 µm pixels
• H.264 video compression, AAC audio compression, MP4 file format
• f/2.4 (fast lens for low-light environments)
• 2 AA Batteries (included) or optional Flip Video AA rechargeable battery pack (1.2 Volt NiMH rechargeable). Rechargeable through USB

Flip Video Ultra Camcorder 2nd Generation With 4GB Memory at Amazon UK

In the USA? See the Flip Ultra Camcorder 2nd Generation 4gb at Amazon US

UPDATE: FOR A RECENT COMPARISON OF THE NEW RANGE OF 3g FLIP VIDEO CAMERAS AS WELL AS OLDER MODELS PLEASE SEE MY BUYERS GUIDE!

UPDATE: SINCE I WROTE THIS POST THE NEW MINO HD WAS RELEASED IN THE US AND UK – I SUGGEST YOU HEAD HERE TO SEE THE COMPARISON BETWEEN THE FLIP ULTRA HD 120 MINS AND THE FLIP MINO HD 120 MINS

I get a lot of people asking “Which Flip Video should I buy?” Let me help. Following on from my post for people trying to decide between the Flip UltraHD and the Flip MinoHD here’s a great video that really shows up the size difference between the Flip UltraHD and the Flip MinoHD plus highlights the main features.

As I’ve said, if you want a Flip to fit in your back pocket (unless you wear huge trousers) then you’ve got to go for a Mino but if you want slightly better quality and flexibility with batteries and a bigger LCD you need to go for the UltraHD.

This was made before the new Flip Mino HD 120 mins became available in the US so it features a 4gb MinoHD but if you are in the UK where the Flip Mino 120 mins has yet to be released (no date set either) then all the comparisons in the video are valid. US readers trying to decide between an Ultra HD 120 mins or a Mino HD 120 mins should read this post.

Check out the Flip Video camera I recommend here at  Amazon UK or Amazon US for the best prices I’ve found on the Web. This link will take you direct to the product.

We have a discount code for buying a Flip Camera direct from Flip HQ in the USA.

OFFER NOW EXTENDED UNTIL 31st DECEMBER – Link below. You also get Free shipping and a Free Accessory!

Note: Flip only sells Flip cameras direct in the USA, if you are in the UK check out the best prices I have found at Amazon UK

$10 Off Coupon from Flip Video! Click here and use Coupon Code: FLIP10 at checkout

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The Flip has a lens I consider to be wide enough for most purposes, especially family and friends filming and head and shoulders vlogging. But there’s a new trend – hacking a Flip by gluing an adaptor ring and adding some extra width with a Sunpak 0.5x wideangle lens (around $40).

This will void any warranty from Pure Digital but is worth a go if you are shooting subjects like citiscapes, landscapes or big groups in confined spaces. This video shows you how to do the hack, it rambles on a bit but definitely worth 6’06 of your time.

Buy the Sunpak 0.5x adaptor at Amazon US

Buy the Hama 0.5x adaptor at Amazon UK

The Flip Ultra (First generation) has had a price slash recently, as I write now I’ve spotted one at £79.99 on Amazon UK, that’s around £68.00 less than the Flip Ultra HD!

If you are Stateside see the Flip Ultra at Amazon US.

But is it worth considering the older model? The answer is yes, absolutely. If you are on a tight budget and want an entry point into the world of Flip then grab the chance now. Ok so it’s only Standard Definition, non-widescreen and doesn’t have rechargeable battery pack!

But I’ve been using my original Flip Ultra for over a year and didn’t miss any of those features before they came along. You’re unlikely to be making professional content with the Flip so you do you really need HD or widescreen? Yes these are nice features but you can still shoot very decent videos without them.

The less the unit costs the better. Why? Because I let my 6 and 3 year olds use it. And if (in the unlikely event) they decide to drop it down the WC when I refuse to buy them chocolate, at least I have taken less of a hit in the wallet. Letting them use my Flip Camera really does give them something to be creative with and have fun. Better for them to learn to create video themselves than just stare at the box.

Of course Adults are also prone to destroy Camcorders, I once lost a load of Camera gear on a beach in the Caribbean when the beach I was on got hit by a King Size wave! It’s the last time I will ever take a £1,000 Camera on holiday!

So in my view if you have the cash, yes go for the Ultra HD or Mino HD but the Standard Ultra will do you fine and the videos you capture in terms of sentimental value will be worth the cash.

I like this video because it’s honest. It shows the pluses and minuses of choosing a Flip. As you might have figured I am a Flip fan, but you need to use the camera to its’ strengths.

As I’ve said before I use the Flip because it’s hassle free and I can take it everywhere, no clip on batteries or big bags required. I wouldn’t bother lugging a bigger camcorder around (especially as I am already weighed down with a laptop on the tube or a bag full of Kid Stuff at the weekend). I’d rather capture the moments than miss them whilst my super all singing and dancing, tea making camcorder sits at home.

If I was going to shoot a sports day or school play from a distance I wouldn’t rely on the Flip and shoot on something else, it’s zoom wouldn’t get me close enough but for the buzz afterwards, it’s great.

Until you own a Flip it’s hard to get why they are so cool and convenient but this video will give you a clue.