[nik at work]

This is probably a bit low-brow for you DSLR remote flashing wads but...
The wife has seen a Flip (one of those little HD(720) camcorder jobbies with a built in USB wodget) and is now hankering for christmas. Now I'm not dead against the whole concept, easy to get onto computer, small and portable so likely to make it out to the crag, HD-ish. All fine.
But I think the zooms are digital (bleurgh) and you need to be stood WAYYYYYYYYYYY back to fit in your average boulder problem. Not good. It's possible to fit after market wide-angle lenses it would seem but I dunno how well this works.
So if anyone has the lowdown on which of the baffling array of Flip-esque cameras would most suit my needs (filming cimbing outside) whilst still having the simple stuff so her indoors can point'n'shoot the nipper doing hilarious things and float the video evidence over to the in-laws via a simple-enough-for-girls plug in to the PC and off you go interface.

She seems a bit obsessed with the built in USB socket (rather than a seperate USB cable) so if you can limit suggestions (assuming there are any) to things of that ilk.

Cheers in advance me luvvies...

[gremlin]

Is it for you, or your wife? 

[nik at work]

She wants it so it has to be to her specs. However as it is HD once we've got one my pleas for a HD camcorder will fall on deaf ears as "we already have one" so ideally it will provide me with a usable means of filming (assuming I charge it up, take it out with me, bother to set it up, etc...).

[Paul B]

I think Jim was looking for something along those lines in another thread?

[nik at work]

I think that he was looking at something that didn't come with a built in USB plug. Obviously that is a very minor difference everywhere in the world apart from inside my wifes head, but there you go

[SA Chris]

I think Jim was looking for something along those lines in another thread?

I think Jim and I both went for Sanyo Xacti types, which record onto SD card, so possibly not what Nik's trouble is looking for.

[nik at work]

Although that would probably be ideal for my needs it does fall foul of the random requirements of THE BOSS.

[Dolly]

I've got one of them VADO things.
Am pretty pleased with it really. Don't need to stand miles away, seems robust AND has an internal USB which sort of folds out

[nik at work]

Cheers Dolly, that's another one to add to the list.

Just thought of another would like to have feature, if it recorded in a format that can be easily edited, I know some of these things use obscure formats that are not readily edited...

How are you getting on with your Xacti thing Chris? I might be able to persuade her to go down a card based route.

[Dolly]

Just thought of another would like to have feature, if it recorded in a format that can be easily edited, I know some of these things use obscure formats that are not readily edited...

With Vado you can do in own format or AVI - so best of both IMO

[Paul B]

if its going to be of any use for the usual tripod'd bouldering videos then make sure its actually got a thread for a tripod. (I might be pointing out the obvious here).

[BB]

I've got a flip Hd and can confirm that it has a tripod thread. Quality is very good and the lack of wide angle lens shouldn't matter too much for bouldering. The digital zoom is pretty crappy though.

[Jim]

My xactia was SD card and recorded in .MP4
there was a screw thread as I had it on a tripod a couple of times.
It was very good, unfortunately it got lost/stolen with all my other camera stuff in my camera bag.
I will be buying another one tho.
why the usb thingy? just as quick to get the sd card out and stick it in the card reader plus you can carry multiple cards or just get a massive card.
those flips look like they are only 4 or 8 gig and are only 720

[tomtom]

Gorillapod is well worth getting - and as its got a tripod mount you can get these for £15 or so...

[Paul B]

Gorillapod is well worth getting - and as its got a tripod mount you can get these for £15 or so...

Really? Maybe you have the beefier version but mine is shit. It can't even support the weight of ony of my cheap (light) flashes.

[GCW]

why the usb thingy? just as quick to get the sd card out and stick it in the card reader plus you can carry multiple cards or just get a massive card.
those flips look like they are only 4 or 8 gig and are only 720

Have to agree with Jim here, USB seems a bit pointless.

[Jim]

just seems like a shit gimmick to me. most laptops and desktops have sd card slots and card readers are cheap if you don't have one

[tomtom]

Gorillapod is well worth getting - and as its got a tripod mount you can get these for £15 or so...

Really? Maybe you have the beefier version but mine is shit. It can't even support the weight of ony of my cheap (light) flashes.

Yeah - got the old man one for his SLR and it works fine.. magnetic feet too 
That is the beefier slr version mind, but those flips weigh feck all..

[nik at work]

just seems like a shit gimmick to me. most laptops and desktops have sd card slots and card readers are cheap if you don't have one

You know this, I know this, GCW knows this, we all know this...

...apart from my missus. Just to be clear the USB thing is not a requirement of mine more the deranged request of a technophobe with delusions of technophilia.

I will try (doubtless in vain) to persuade her down the Xactia route.

On a seperate note I quite like my gorilla-pods (I have a big 'un and a little 'un) however I can imagine being slightly wary of using them with expensive (and relatively heavy and large) DSLR/proper camcorder type gizmology.

[lagerstarfish]

If you get a cheapish HD cam, you can always add one of these to the front to get a wider angle - I saw someone with one held in place with an elastic band.

There are wide angle lenses for Flip cameras too

[GCW]

Point her in this direction.

[nik at work]

I am never showing her that site, she'll have those heated slippers ordered in a trice...

Cheers Lagers, I'd seen those wide angle lenses, at that price I'd assume they'd be slightly better than the bottom of a coke bottle (or alternatively they are cashing in on the technophobe-with-delusions-of-technophilia market).

[SA Chris]

How are you getting on with your Xacti thing Chris? I might be able to persuade her to go down a card based route.

Great, really easy to use. As Jim said - records in MP4 format on SD, and has std screw thread for tripod mounting. Haven't used it out bouldering much, as I haven't been out bouldering much, but got loads of amusing bairn related footage.

If anyone finds gorillapods too flimsy, try an Ultrapod II. http://www.pedcopods.com/products.shtml

Looks like there is an Ultrapod Digital too, but it looks like a repackaged II in pretty colours.

[BB]

why the usb thingy? just as quick to get the sd card out and stick it in the card reader plus you can carry multiple cards or just get a massive card.
those flips look like they are only 4 or 8 gig and are only 720

Have to agree with Jim here, USB seems a bit pointless.

It charges via the USB thingy. Still pointless?

[GCW]

So you have to plug it into a cable to charge it?  Radical!

[Jim]

In reply to BB - yes

[robertostallioni]

I've got an Xactia, Nik. Shall I come round with mine this/next week, show it to  the Mrs and just let her handle it for a bit? She might like it. Problem solved, no? 

[GCW]

Is that some kinda euphemism, Stallion?

[robertostallioni]

Not at all. I need to get my shoes back.

[GCW]

Might see you there, demonstrating your equipment.

[robertostallioni]

3's company, 4's a crowd, G. 

When you going?

[GCW]

No idea.

[nik at work]

Sorry about the lack of response gents, I've been struggling to get on UKB today. Anyway I think I'll try and persuade her down the Xactia route, so cheers for your various thoughts.

[Jim]

just about to order one of these.
incredible value

or if you've got another £30 going spare get the slightly better one

comparison here