just got a flip mino hd to use primarily to record live dancing and dancing lessons. Can't frame a person head to toe at 15 feet without flipping the camera on its side and using 16x9 ratio that way. This aint gonna work unless I limit watching playback to the tiny screen on the camera. Does anyone have experience with field of view for non hd flip cameras.? Would this frame better at same distance? Any other recommendations for simple inexpensive recorder for my purposes? This is really disappointing because video quality from mino hd is great even when played on my front projector tv and the device is so easy to use. Thanks in advance for your help.

just got a flip mino hd to use primarily to record live dancing and dancing lessons. Can't frame a person head to toe at 15 feet without flipping the camera on its side and using 16x9 ratio that way. This aint gonna work unless I limit watching playback to the tiny screen on the camera. Does anyone have experience with field of view for non hd flip cameras.? Would this frame better at same distance? Any other recommendations for simple inexpensive recorder for my purposes? This is really disappointing because video quality from mino hd is great even when played on my front projector tv and the device is so easy to use. Thanks in advance for your help.

Hey Docbill

I have the Flip Mino (non HD) and Flip Ultra that both shoot in 4:3, meaning you can be closer and get the framing you want.
Love both my Flips !!!!

I do have a suggestion for another camcorder though,, I also own the new Kodak Zi6 that shoots in HD 16:9 and can also shoot in SD VGA mode 4:3.
The Kodak Zi6 is also cheaper than the new Mino HD,,it goes for around $180.00 on Kodak.com,, the video quality from it is really very good and it also has a way bigger screen than the Flips have.

Hope that helps a bit.
Cheers
Davyo

thanks, dayvo I'm gonna probably return the hd for the non hd flip. The minimum diostance per the specs for focus is smaller on the ultra than the mino non hd. Does this equate to a wider view?

Also, really like the packaged software with the flip. Do you need to get software off the web to do editing or send emails with the Kodak? Is the packaged software as good and easy as flips?

Found a solution for flip mino framing problem since my wife liked the little camcorder too much and would not part with it, framing issue or not. The sunpack 2200 wide angle lens fits perfectly on the mino and is magnetically attached therefore easily removable. With the lens on, the camera is obviously significantly heavier but stll not cumbersome. Its a .45x lens and dramatically improves fov. Whole package is about $240 which I suppose is not a great deal but overall I'm happy with it. Before arriving at this solution, I bought an aiptek hd and was extremely disappointed compared to the mino. Build qualty is cheap and low light capability almost nonexistent. Its going back.