The original pocket-size Flip camcorder has morphed in an HD version, which Pure Digital Inc. of San Francisco said this week is the smallest HD camcorder on the market, weighing in at a mere 3.3 ounces. The HD unit, like its SD predecessor, is not much larger than a cell phone.
Pure Digital says its introductory standard-definition Flip cam has already sold more than 1.5 million units since its introduction last year.
The new Flip Mino HD produces 16:9 images in 720p (1280x720) at 30 fps, and the firm said it holds enough memory (and power via a lithium ion battery) to record about one hour of HD content. A flip-out USB attachment plugs into a PC or Mac (using proprietary FlipShare software) for downloading that is compatible for iTunes, iMovie and iPhoto.
Pure Digital said other features of its new HD mini-cam include 3-second power-up; full pause, rewind/fast forward and playback features; a 2x digital zoom lens; a 1.5-inch color high-brightness ("transflective") display; and a connector cable to watch videos on a TV set.
MSRP is $230. In a new study reported in HD Notebook earlier this month, Forrester Research cited the rapid success of the original Flip digital cam as likely continuing to sell well through the upcoming (and highly uncertain) holiday season—perhaps at the expense of more costly HD and Blu-ray products (HD Notebook, Nov. 4, 2008).
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