Page 1: Intro, Box, Parts
Intro:
Since ASE Labs is getting more and more into producing videos, it is time to start reviewing digital video cameras. The first such device is absolutely perfect for the Youtube crowd and has been making the rounds on the internet. The Flip Video Mino from Pure Digital promises web videos made with ease and they aren't kidding.
Box:
The box basically shows the exterior of the product contained inside as well as some technical details. It is black with some other color accents.
When you open it up, it has a very iPod like feel to the packaging. I'm sure someone put a great deal of thought into how the initial impressions of the unit would turn out.
Parts:
Aside from the Mino itself, you get a carrying case (felt), RCA hookups for watching videos on a TV, the manual, and a wrist strap. There is no software CD, everything is stored on the device itself. No Linux software was included so the software portion wasn't tested.
The Mino:
The Mino itself is about as big as an original iPod Nano and thicker. Included with the Flip Mino is a flash storage size of 2GB (1800MB usable) which is internal so you can't just add memory when it runs out. Pictured here is the lens (which the protective cover still on) and the audio port behind the flap. There is also an orange light that lights when it is recording so you really can't do stealth recordings that easily.
The back of the unit contains the various buttons for controls. The center red button is the heart of the device. It is the one touch button for recording and really gives the unit that ease of use you should expect with the price it's asking. The remaining buttons on the back are all touch sensitive and will light up when the unit is on. You have controls for digital zoom (don't bother), stop/play, deleting, play navigation, and volume control. The screen is 1.5" diagonal and is 528x132 (the specs say). That means that there will be some chopping of lines when viewing on the device itself, but the Mino records at 640x480.
The slide button on the upper left of the unit pops out the USB connection for transferring and charging. The unit features an internal battery that should last about four hours of use which is pretty good considering you only get 60 minutes of video to record. The USB connection flips out (I guess that's why it is a Flip?) and looks like it would be the first thing to break.
The included RCA cabling on the device can plug into the lower left port. It is only active when playing video. You cannot see what you're recording on the TV. It serves its purpose fairly well. You can bring the decide and the cable and plug it into any TV with RCA to view the videos. The internal screen shuts off when this mode is in use.
The other side of the unit contains the power button and the location for the wrist strap. If you couldn't tell by now, the device screams of simplicity.
The bottom of the unit contains the mount for a tripod (and it is metal which is nice). Inside the tripod mount is the reset toggle. Stick a pin in the hole in the mount to reset the unit. I had to reset it once.
Since ASE Labs is getting more and more into producing videos, it is time to start reviewing digital video cameras. The first such device is absolutely perfect for the Youtube crowd and has been making the rounds on the internet. The Flip Video Mino from Pure Digital promises web videos made with ease and they aren't kidding.
Box:
The box basically shows the exterior of the product contained inside as well as some technical details. It is black with some other color accents.
When you open it up, it has a very iPod like feel to the packaging. I'm sure someone put a great deal of thought into how the initial impressions of the unit would turn out.
Parts:
Aside from the Mino itself, you get a carrying case (felt), RCA hookups for watching videos on a TV, the manual, and a wrist strap. There is no software CD, everything is stored on the device itself. No Linux software was included so the software portion wasn't tested.
The Mino:
The Mino itself is about as big as an original iPod Nano and thicker. Included with the Flip Mino is a flash storage size of 2GB (1800MB usable) which is internal so you can't just add memory when it runs out. Pictured here is the lens (which the protective cover still on) and the audio port behind the flap. There is also an orange light that lights when it is recording so you really can't do stealth recordings that easily.
The back of the unit contains the various buttons for controls. The center red button is the heart of the device. It is the one touch button for recording and really gives the unit that ease of use you should expect with the price it's asking. The remaining buttons on the back are all touch sensitive and will light up when the unit is on. You have controls for digital zoom (don't bother), stop/play, deleting, play navigation, and volume control. The screen is 1.5" diagonal and is 528x132 (the specs say). That means that there will be some chopping of lines when viewing on the device itself, but the Mino records at 640x480.
The slide button on the upper left of the unit pops out the USB connection for transferring and charging. The unit features an internal battery that should last about four hours of use which is pretty good considering you only get 60 minutes of video to record. The USB connection flips out (I guess that's why it is a Flip?) and looks like it would be the first thing to break.
The included RCA cabling on the device can plug into the lower left port. It is only active when playing video. You cannot see what you're recording on the TV. It serves its purpose fairly well. You can bring the decide and the cable and plug it into any TV with RCA to view the videos. The internal screen shuts off when this mode is in use.
The other side of the unit contains the power button and the location for the wrist strap. If you couldn't tell by now, the device screams of simplicity.
The bottom of the unit contains the mount for a tripod (and it is metal which is nice). Inside the tripod mount is the reset toggle. Stick a pin in the hole in the mount to reset the unit. I had to reset it once.