Getting started using video online has never been easier for landscape professionals. With simple to use tools like YouTube and Flip video cameras, even us non-techy folks in the landscape industry can use video to better market our services.
I recently purchased a Flip Mino video camera from Amazon and I have to say that I've been very impressed with its performance. With a relatively small price tag (refurbished for $70), I'm confident that I'll be getting my money's worth.
I chose the Mino over the more expensive models because the one hour of internal memory is adequate for how I use it. I also chose not to pay extra for the HD version.
Here are my thoughts regarding the Flip video camera:
Recording video
The Flip is about the size of a cell phone so it's very easy to carry in your pocket wherever you go. It's not like carrying around a bulky camcorder. That said, the small size makes it somewhat difficult to hold steady when recording. We're not shooting professional grade video here so this isn't a big deal. Just know that your video will be a little "jumpy".
I like the fact that the Flip has zoom capabilities, although the 2x zoom is somewhat limited.
I found that it also adjusted well to sun/shade situations when recording on a job site.
The best feature is the Flip's ease of use. Just point and push the big red button--it's hard to screw that up!
Downloading your video
The Flip got its name because of the handy "flip out" usb plug. No cords or other hardware required--just plug and play.
The Flip records in .AVI video format which is a very common format. At this point you can save your video file to your computer and/or share it online.
Editing your video
This is where I think the Flip falls a little short. Although, I realize this is a deliberate attempt by the manufacturer to keep this device as simple as possible. Remember, the Flip appeal is all about shooting and sharing video fast with very few barriers.
The Flip comes with free software called FlipShare that allows you to "trim" the beginning and ending of your videos.
If you want to edit your Flip videos beyond this simple trimming, you will need to use standalone video editing software (I personally use Camtasia Studio).
Sharing your video
Again, this is one of the main benefits of the Flip--quickly and easily sharing video online. With two clicks of the mouse, you can send your video to either YouTube, Facebook or MySpace. I was actually a little disappointed with this limited selection. I would like to be able to post directly to Twitter and my Facebook Page (The Flip only posts to your Facebook profile). But, because it posts to YouTube, this is not a deal breaker for me.
For a video 2:50 in length, it took five minutes for the video to upload to YouTube. It took me another four minutes to add a title, description and tags to the video on YouTube and another minute to post on my Facebook Page. All in all it took about 10 minutes to post a video from my Flip to my Facebook Page--not bad.
I like the fact the Flip video camera is small, is a simple plug and play device, and allows me to quickly share my videos. This is exactly the opposite of my much more expensive camcorder. This is also the reason I no longer use my camcorder.
The Flip video camera is the perfect device for entry into the world of online video. Whether you are capturing your progress on a landscaping site or documenting "how to build a retaining wall", the Flip is perfect for you. If you are an active social media participant and want to go beyond sharing images, the Flip is a good choice. It couldn't be easier.
Below is a video I recently shot using my Flip camera:
