Pure Digital Flip Mino HD 720p Camcorder [Flip Embraces HD Video Recording]

Since releasing its original Flip compact YouTube camcorder Pure Digital have had to content with a host of companies looking for a slice of the budget, compact camcorder pie (it’s a highly lucrative market) and, with a spate of HD wannabes flooding the market of late, Pure Digital’s considered response is the new Flip Mino HD offering 720p video capture with built in editing functionality whilst retaining the Flips compact form factor, portability and ease of use.

Interestingly, whilst a great many comparable ‘YouTube’ compact camcorders boasting HD video capture rely, in the main, on external storage solutions – specifically SD cards – to record video footage, Pure Digital’s Flip Mini HD camcorder opts to offer in built storage capabilities – to the tune of up to 4GB of flash based memory – providing ‘out of the box’ recording capabilities and, as well as offering 720p HD resolution capture the Flip Mino HD also comes with what Pure Digital say is an easier to use drag and drop interface and  FlipShare allowing you to upload footage to YouTube, MySpace, or AOL Video and share footage via e-mail with ultimate ease as well as offering the ability to add music to your moves and title/credit your recording films.

For those interesting in the new Flip Mino HD, here’s Pure Digital’s press release which, you’ll note, makes the bold and not unimpressive claim that their new HD Mino is the ‘world’s smallest HD camcorder’.

The maker of Flip Video – the best-selling family of affordable and simple-to-use digital camcorders – today introduced its latest breakthrough product:  the Flip Mino HD.   The world’s smallest HD camcorder at just over 3 oz., the remarkably slim Flip Mino HD makes capturing and sharing HD video easy and affordable for the first time. The stylish camcorder from Pure Digital Technologies, priced at $229.95 (MSRP), records up to 60 minutes of HD video and features Flip Video’s new FlipShare software. This breakthrough on-board software application allows consumers to plug the camcorder’s signature flip-out USB arm into any computer for easy organizing, editing and sharing on YouTube, MySpace, AOL Video or via email.

This latest innovation from Pure Digital Technologies builds on the success of its wildly popular Flip Video camcorder line. After just one full year in the marketplace, Flip Video has sold over 1.5 million camcorders and currently has the number one best-selling camcorder in the U.S., according to the latest rankings from leading market research firm NPD.

“Consumers have embraced Flip Video because it delivers on the promise of making video simple, affordable, and fun,” said Jonathan Kaplan, Pure Digital’s chairperson and CEO.  “Flip Mino HD, along with FlipShare software, now make it easy for anyone to capture and share their stories in stunning HD quality.”

Flip Mino HD comes equipped with FlipShare – Flip Video’s next-generation built-in software application.   FlipShare features a simple drag-and-drop interface to make it simple for Flip owners to organize, edit and share their HD videos.  FlipShare enables fast and simple video emailing and one-click uploading to YouTube, MySpace, and AOL Video.  Users can also create custom movies, complete with music and credits, and capture HD still photos from their videos.   FlipShare is fully compatible with Windows software as well as Apple’s Mac video applications including QuickTime, iMovie, and iDVD.  FlipShare is also available as an upgrade to anyone who already owns a Flip Video camcorder.

With its introduction, Mino HD also becomes the first and only “designable” HD camcorder. Using Flip Video’s next-generation personalization platform, launched last month on theflip.com, consumers can choose from thousands of professional designs or custom-design their own Flip Mino or Flip Mino HD at no extra cost. Additionally, consumers have the option to share their designs on theflip.com to earn commissions for themselves or non-profit causes.

Flip Mino HD Features and Availability:

• Weight: 3.3 oz.
• Resolution: HD 720p
• 4 GB of internal memory to record up to 60 minutes of HD video
• 1.5 inch anti-glare LCD display
• Internal, lithium ion battery recharges when USB arm is connected to computer
• One-touch recording with 2x digital zoom
• Touch-sensitive buttons for recording, playback, fast forward, rewind, pause and delete
• TV connection for instant viewing (cable included)
• Tripod Mount
• Available in black at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Wal-Mart.com, theflip.com and leading retailers
• Completely “designable” at theflip.com
• Suggested retail price: $229.95
• New FlipShare Software Features:
• On-board application installs directly when connected to PC or Mac
• Simple drag-and-drop interface for easy browsing, playback, organization and archiving
• Integrated online video publishing to YouTube, MySpace, and AOL Video
• Free, unlimited private emailing of videos and video greeting cards
• Custom editing of movies, with the option to use your own music and add titles/credits
• Capture HD still photos from video
• Order DVDs online and have them shipped anywhere in the world

UPDATE: The Pure Digital Flip MinoHD Camcorder is available from Amazon for just shy of $230 as at the time of writing.