Flip SlideHD – Camcorder with Humongous Sliding Screen
Thumbs Up:
The Flip SlideHD has pretty straightforward recording controls; has 16GB of storage space; has 3-inch LCD and finally the en suite FlipShare software of the camcorder remains superb.
Thumbs Down:
The Flip SlideHD doesn’t have the HDMI cable included, doesn’t have memory expansion option, the touchscreen controls here are too finicky and the camera on a whole is expensive.
The Whiz Kid Speaks:
Manufacturer: Pure Digital Technologies
Price range: $279.99
Part Number: S1240W
Dimensions (H x W x D): 4.1 x 2.2 x 0.9 inches
Weight: 5.9 ounces
Resolution: 1.6 megapixels
Digital Video Format: H.264
Flash Memory: 16 GB
Features: Child Safe mode, Touch screen and Tripod mount
Software: Drivers & Utilities
Included Accessories: Wrist strap and Soft protective case
Razzle Dazzle:
The entire body of the Flip SlideHD is a two toned body with white tone for the main body and silver tone for screen. You can also get a personalized look for your camera by picking up one design from Flip’s web site and getting it imprinted on the body. But as the body entirely is made up of plastic, it feels really cheap in hand, especially when you compare it with the metal bodies of the rather less-expensive second-generation MinoHD from the same manufacturer. In addition to the cheaper feel, the SlideHD is comparatively bulky as well, despite being smaller in size than the Flip Video UltraHD. Although can excuse the camera for its bulky size, because it uses AA size batteries.
Inside Dope:
Priced at $279.99 the Flip SlideHD mini-camcorder is comparatively higher priced than the class to which the camera belongs. Though the immense 16 GB internal memory of the camera can be attributed the excess weight of the camera. The straight 3 inch wide touchscreen LCD of the camera also is responsible for the slight weight increase. The wide LCD screen of the camera not only is touchscreen, but also acts as a screen for viewing photos and videos, and “slide” opens at a comfortable angle. This Flip SlideHD also makes shooting and sharing videos an easy maneuver, so easy that almost everyone can do it.
The humongous LCD screen of SlideHD is used for controlling most of the functions of the camera, as a result of which you will see a really limited amount of physical controls on the body of the camera. As a matter of fact there only are a couple of them. The first physical control is positioned on the right spine of the camera and is a small power button; the second button is for flipping the USB connector to be connected from top. The camera lens is positioned on the fascia of the camera along with the red record lights and mic. The red record lights have been concealed in mic grilles. Positioned at the base are a Mini-HDMI port, a threaded tripod mount and a headphone jack. One thing that we didn’t liked here is the fixed memory storage of 16 GB of the camera, although we’re sure that it might be sufficient for some, but still an expansion option would be nice.
The videos stored in the camera can be watched whether the camera is open or close, but for recording the screen of SlideHD should be closed. The LCD screen slide opens on the right side, hence if you are holding the camera with your right hand, then your hand will stop it from opening, but still a lock for it would have been much better.
The touchscreen here is sufficiently responsive, but don’t expect anything like an Apple iPhone or even anything like the modern touchscreen digital cameras. Though, you will be able to accomplish the functions of the camera, but it can be painful at times.
The touch controls of the camera are pretty much the same what we have seen in the other devices from the company. The touch controls includes Play, Delete, Record and four-way navigation. The controls, features and options of this camera are pretty ordinary, and pretty much the same what we’ve seen earlier, so don’t expect anything serious here.
One thing that we particularly liked about the camera was the video quality, which here was pretty impressive. The video clips shot here were compellingly sharp, with sparkling and precise colors. Though the videos shot in dim light were clearly noisy, but that’s something people expects. So, on a whole you can say that the performance of the SlideHD was imposing, especially if you consider the size pf the camera.
Nitty Gritty:
The Flip SlideHD in straight words is just another camcorder with humongous sliding screen facilitating viewing and sharing videos. So if this is what you want to do with your camera then this is a worth buying small camera, or else its good for nothing.
