Flip Mino HD 3rd Generation 60 minutes recording, 4GB Memory & Image Stabilisation - Brushed Metal

The best things about the Flip MinoHD has got to be it's compact size and how easy it is to use, the touch sensitive controls are easily mastered in a couple of minutes.

Approximately the same size as a chunky mobile phone it's easy to stick in your pocket or bag and comes in a presentation box with a wrist strap and soft case to protect it included. It has a mini HDMI port that you can use to connect it to a TV using a Type A to C HDMI cable (not included) - after purchasing one I discovered that it wasn't really necessary as I can play the video clips via the USB port on my TV or PVR, great quality playback by either method.

Just switch it on at the side and press the big red button to start recording then press it again to stop. To connect to your laptop/pc is a case of pressing a button to flip up the built in USB connector. Charging is also via the usb connector. The preloaded software should automatically install when you connect to a PC/Laptop the first time - mine didn't, but browsing to it and locating the 'setup exe' through the 'My Computer' menu was easy enough. The FlipShare software allows you to email, share through facebook or other sites, or send your video clips as greeting cards. There is also a support section within the FlipShare software which has some useful additional information.

For something so small the quality of picture and sound is very good and it also performs well in dim lighting conditions.

Update: Two months on my Flip died on me, I went to switch it on and nothing - completely dead. My first thought was that the battery was flat but after 4 hours charging despite the charging light glowing still nothing. The User guide advises to press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to reset but this did nothing. I searched the internet to see if there was support offered via a manufacturer website and came across a really helpful YouTube video advising there is another reset button hidden in the tripod mount hole and after pushing the end of a paperclip into the hole for 5 secs then switching my flip on, it came back to life.

I have done hours of research on which small HD camcorder to get, looking into the creative VADO and the Kodak Zi8 and I thought this would be the best so after weeks of deliberation I decided to buy it. Got it this afternoon and absolutely love it. It's so neat and small, smaller than I imagined! It fits well in the hand, turns on VERY quickly and is the easiest camcorder i've ever used. Literally takes about a minute to take your clips and make either a movie or just upload it to a website or attach it to an email... MUST HAVE!

The Flip MinoHD is very compact and easy to use. It's not flash with lots of features, it's simple to both record and to quickly plug it into the tv or computer and watch films. The size makes it small enough to take anywhere, and the picture quality is good enough to make it worthwhile doing so.

The biggest issue for me is the battery life. It only lasts about 45mins before it needs a recharge - and I'm too scatty to always remember.