This camcorder definitely makes my list of top gifts for this Christmas and after. Why is it different to any other camcorder?  Well, most traditional video cameras, however impressive their specifications or their cost, tend to stay in their box and only come out when we go on holiday or when we want to record a special occasion. For most of us they are too valuable to  risk damage by daily casual use. Also, they are often not small enough to carry about or to use without some fiddling. Not so with the Flip Ultra HD. 8GB.  It is so convenient to use, you will use this camcorder quite casually- almost daily:

  • It is barely larger than a mobile phone, so small enough to fit in your pocket and carry around
  • Easy to use with only a single big red button for ‘record’ and ‘stop’, buttons for fwd/play and rwd,  and a button for zoom.
  • It records video for up to 2 hours in HD quality — yes HD quality!
  • It connects directly to your LCD TV via an HDMI lead  for direct playback of video.
  • It ‘plugs’ directly to your laptop via its integrated USB arm (no leads) for charging and downloading video recordings.
  • No software to be downloaded from a disc.  The Flipshare software is downloaded automatically to your laptop when you first plug in the Flip Ultra HD.  You can then download the video recordings and also share video clips via email or upload video clips to YouTube.

I got a Flip Ultra HD 8GB as an anniversary present from my wife recently and it is nearly always in my pocket or by my side for use at a minutes notice, to record the ‘moments’ I wish to save and  for future viewing by family and friends and indeed by later generations. Of course I do have a really good incentive and video ‘subject’ at present — my two year old grandson who does something new and amusing nearly every time we see him and I just cannot help recording his amusing antics and viewing them with all the family later. I intend to use it a lot over the Christmas holidays.

Whether you just want a fun everyday camcorder to record your mates being silly,  important ‘firsts’ or  amusing actions of  your children or grandchildren growing up,  or a handy fun camcorder you can use  ‘on the go’  to capture unusual, amusing or important  events as they occur - the Flip Ultra HD 8GB is indispensible.

A word of caution: The model reviewed here is the Flip Ultra HD 8GB version which gives you two hours of HD quality video and comes in black or white. Do not confuse it with the Flip Mino HD 4GB, also a good little camcorder, but which will give you only one hour of video — or other similar models which give you only standard definition video recording.

The Flip Ultra Ultra HD  8GB model is extremely popular this year with an ideal price point for a Christmas present.   Currently, it is not widely available and merchants who do have them are selling out rapidly – so if you decide to buy one you will have to order right now!

The following online merchants still have stocks of the Flip Ultra HD 8GB model, but you will have to hurry!

Amazon

Play.com

Laskys

Firebox