Meet the Flip Ultra HD. It’s my newest possession. It is a video recorder that solves every problem that you never really knew you had with other camcorders and luckily, you only have to pay $199 to buy Pure Digital’s newest camcorder. Trying to improve on a device that is successful because of its simplicity can be dicey. Adding features often means increasing complexity, as well as the heft of a device–and the UltraHD is bulkier than its predecessor. The Flip’s makers are keenly aware of these tradeoffs, which is why at first glance there appears to be only one major change in the new product: It now records in HD video (720p). But on closer inspection there are a number of upgrades included in the UltraHD that ought to make it even more popular than its best-selling predecessor, or the even sleeker Flip MinoHD.

What’s New in The Flip UltraHD

* 2 hours of record time (an extra hour versus the previous models)

* AA batteries that recharge when you plug the camera into a computer

* 2-inch screen (up from 1.5-inch in other Flip models)

* Stereo audio from two microphones, one on either side of the lens

* Crisper images from an upgraded video processing engine

* Lens has increased field of view (48 degrees up from 42 degrees on the MinoHD)

The UltraHD is just as simple to use as the original Flip, and it looks nearly identical to its predecessor. The increased size and weight is immediately noticeable, but this is not an entirely bad thing since the rest of the Flip line can be accused of feeling like expensive toys that are easy to break. The 2-inch screen on back is larger, making it easier to hold the device at arm’s length while recording, and much easier to view in sunlight.

It’s still got the mechanical buttons for play, record, and other functions (as opposed to the flat touch-controlled buttons of the MinoHD). The UltraHD is not as sleek and shiny as the Mino either–but it’s targeted at a different crowd. The recording time has been increased to 2 hours, up from 1 hour in the original. It’s also the reason the UltraHD still accepts AA batteries, so that it can be powered up in a pinch without the need to recharge.

The AA batteries that come included with the UltraHD are rechargeable in two ways: You can flip-release the USB arm from the side of the camera and plug it into your computer to charge up, or buy the wall charger accessory for $24.99. A full charge using the USB plug takes about 6 hours, but only a couple of hours using the wall charger.

The upgrade to high-definition quality video as well as the addition of an HDMI output on the side of the UltraHD means that the camcorder can be plugged directly into the back of that high-def television so that videos can be viewed right away, without having to download, encode, and transfer them first. But when it is time to share those videos, the UltraHD is just as easy to pull video out of as in the past. Once it’s plugged into the USB port, you can either drag and drop the videos directly from the device to a Mac or PC, or use Pure Digital’s FlipShare software for processing and organizing your library.

There is very little to complain about with the UltraHD, unless you happen to own the Flip MinoHD (Note: I have used the MinoHD.). The two cameras are mostly alike, the chipset inside the camera is the same, so is the basic video quality and recording time. But UltraHD has a slightly better lens, stereo mics instead of mono, and an improved video processing engine that delivers clearer images. And the Flip UltraHD is $30 less expensive. The MinoHD’s smaller  body (it now comes in chrome as well) keep it attractive, but the UltraHD is superior in a side-by-side comparison.

Here’s a sample video I recorded that shows the image quality of the UltraHD. The colors are crisp and true to life. Meet my 15 year old dog!

Flips are renowned for their low-light capabilities–these tiny cameras produce decent images in settings that would normally require a much more expensive camcorder. Flip has also released an updated non-high definition version, the UltraSD. It’s $50 less expensive than the HD model, and aside from the lower definition it has new features–stereo microphones, a new lens–and comes in yellow and pink. I highly recommend paying the $50 extra and getting the Ultra HD. It’s so worth it.

Flip UltraHD

$199

Colors: Black, White (with chrome trim)

Technical Specifications

Records: 2 Hours

Memory: 8GB (2 Hour)

Screen: 2″ Transflective

Video Resolution: High Definition, 1280×720 Frame Rate: 30fps Progressive Scan

Video Format: H.264, MP4

Average Bitrate: 9.0Mbps

Batteries: 2 x AA + Rechargeable Pack (incl.) Battery Life: Up to 3 Hours TV Output: HDMI Widescreen

Zoom: 2 x Digital

My Conclusion – head over to theflip.com and buy an UltraHD Flip. You won’t regret it!!!