Flip_Video

=The ultra cool [|Flip Video]=



This year I purchased two Flip Video cameras to test them out in comparison to our other digital video cameras. The obvious difference is the size. The Flip is about the size of an iPod. The hidden difference is how simple it is to use. Just turn it on, point, and shoot. The video is not as high of quality as our Panasonic DV cameras, but most of the time we're not making a Hollywood blockbuster, so it'll be more than good enough. The camera is streamlined with only a few buttons that are very intuitive.



And after you've finished shooting your video, it's a snap to import into iMovie where you can edit and burn to a DVD. The USB arm flips out to the side of the camera and you can plug that straight into your laptop. If you need some wiggle room, you can always use a USB extension cord to give you a little more flexibility.



Here is a short video that a colleague from MHMS created using a Flip video at this year's MICCA conference. It features tech-guru, Will Richardson, discussing the Flip video camera.

media type="custom" key="771497"

Now you're all set for using our cool new toys. Check them out in the Media Center, as you would any other tech equipment. Feel free to ask for a quick tutorial, or just take it and play around. It's so easy, you'll be an expert in no time.

Tips for importing Flip Video footage into iMovie:


 * Download the Flip software included ON the camera on the computer you plan to use for importing into iMovie
 * You don't need to USE the software but it has to be on the machine (weird, but whatever)
 * Important! You do **NOT** drag and drop the video clips...you have to **IMPORT** them ...File>Import

This seems to work on most of our school computers. But it may be a little bit different depending on the Operating System and the version of iLife that you have. If you have a NEW Macbook you might need to download some extra stuff. My colleagues at ELMS have come up with the following:

//There may be four things that you need to make sure are updated on your computer. We have been trying combinations of things here at ELMS and sometimes only one or two of these items need to be updated, other times all four need to be updated.//


 * //Update Quicktime//
 * //Update or install Divx for Mac Converter ([|http://www.divx.com/divx/mac/)]//
 * //Update or install 3ivx (when you plug in the Flip Ultra, this program install automatically comes up)//
 * //Update Flip4Mac for QuickTime ([|http://www.flip4mac.com/)]//

//The new flip cameras work with iMovie 08 without any installs, but these updates should make the camera compatible with iMovie 06.//