It is a coincidence that most of my recent entries are technology related.  I promise I will go back to my write-ups on outer-V and mascara, eyeliner and angled brush in no time.

One evening, I have attended a blogger event hosted by Cisco in one of the restaurants at Vivocity.  Centered to this event is a new video recording and sharing device called “Flip Video”.  Do I take videos?  Of course I do.  I have a camcorder that takes video during my holiday trips.  I have a digital camera that takes video during some of my oil painting and music playing sessions.  I have a mobile phone that takes and shares video on the go.  So, how would a “Flip Video” fit into the picture?

“Flip Video” is tiny, simple to use.  In fact, the moment I got hold of the test device, I was taking video straight the way.  Each device can take up to 2 hours worth of video in 1280 x 720 resolution (30 frames per second), which is more or less how long the battery would last as I was told.  There is an HDMI jack for you to output to your television.  And it can be plugged directly into a computer via USB without the need of a cable.  Once the device is plugged into a PC or Mac, as I have seen at the demo booth, uploading video clips for online sharing is a breeze.  There is a software called FlipShare that converts the clips into an optimal form and size and uploads the clips directly to Facebook, YouTube, or MySpace with just a few clicks.  If you are concerned about privacy, there is a FlipShare website for you to share your videos privately with your friends and family.  You can perform some basic editing within the application as well.  Sounds good so far?

I have given some thoughts on what I would use it for.  “Flip Video” does not replace a camcorder or even a digital camera if video quality is what I am going after.  But it is tiny and can be carried around quite easily.  Comparing the output from “Flip Video” with the same video clip I took using my Nokia N900, the color does not seem to be as vibrant and the picture does not seem to be as sharp (perhaps due to the lens quality?).  Having said that, the skin tone taken by the “Flip Video” appears to be more natural and if HD format means something to you, “Flip Video” recording comes with a decent resolution and frame rate.

One interesting point to note is that you can mount the “Flip Video” onto a tripod, or any mounting devices (one looks like a spider).  That is something – as far as I know – none of the mobile devices can do.  Use your imagination and it can be pretty handy.  You could mount the “Flip Video” onto the handlebar of your mountain bike and document those wonderful and humanly impossible maneuvers for sharing because no one can understand or visualize what you are raving about (yes, Robert, I am talking to you!).  You could mount the “Flip Video” onto the spoiler of your car and pretend that you are a F1 driver on ESPN sport channel.  You could self-directing your, erm, home movie at ease because you can mount the “Flip Video”onto a tripod and no longer need to creatively look out for where to put your mobile phone.

And etc.

“Flip Video” is made by Cisco and is selling at S$349.  What do you think?  Is it something you would want to carry with you?  What type of video would you shoot with it?