Flip Video Files The Flip video cameras use a unique video compressor (3ivx MPEG- 4) that can cause problems when trying to play or edit the video files. Without 3ivx installed you can usually play or edit the file but the audio and video may not be in sync. Most video editing software programs will not properly import Flip video files; the files must be converted first by software that supports the Flip file compression format. Playing Flip Video Files Flip video files will play properly if the 3ivx MPEG- 4 codec has been installed on the computer that is playing the file. The 3ivx MPEG- 4 codec can be installed by installing the Flipshare software. Flipshare can be installed by connecting the Flip camera to the computer or by downloading the software (www.theflip.com). Very Basic Editing Using Flipshare Very basic video editing of Flip video files can be done using Flipshare. You can shorten and combine Flip video files in Flipshare and then export the edited files for playback, emailing and uploading. However, Flipshare cannot adjust the audio level or export to specific formats such as Flash (FLV). Basic Editing and Conversion to other formats Using MPEG Streamclip Basic Editing and Conversion to other formats Using imovie imovie on the Mac is one of the few video editing programs that can import and edit Flip movies. imovie will convert the movie during the import process which can take time depending on the length of the video. Once edited the video can be exported to other formats however a current bug causes an error if trying to export to an FLV file. See below for information on using imovie for conversion only. Converting Flip Video Files to use Video Editing Software To edit Flip video files in editing software such as Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut, Moviemaker and others, the Flip video files must be converted first. If the file is not converted before importing the audio and video will not be in sync or the video may not play at all. The conversion process for editing is to convert the Flip video file to a compression format that the editing software will recognize. In all cases the 3ivx MPEG-4 codec must be installed to convert the file and the conversion process will take some time.
PC Based Converting for Editing Converting Flip Files for Editing on a PC using MPEG Streamclip The following are recommended settings to edit in Adobe Premiere on a PC: Mark the start in and out points if you want to trim clip Export (File- >Export to QuickTime ) using the following settings: The following are recommended setting to edit in Movie Maker on a PC: Mark the start in and out points if you want to trim clip Export (File- >Export to AVI ) using the following settings: Converting Flip Files for Editing on a PC using QuickTime Pro You can convert the Flip video files using QuickTime Pro. You can then import the converted file into video editing software such as Adobe Premiere and other. You must use the Pro version of QuickTime, which is not the free version. Open the Flip file in QuickTime Pro. Export (File- >Export) using the following settings: Export: Movie to QuickTime file (click on Options for other settings) Video Settings Frame Rate: Current Restrict Data Rate: Use a minimum of 1500 can be higher for higher quality Size: Current Audio Settings (these are the Flip file audio setting but can be changed) Format: AAC Channels: Stereo (L R) Rate: 44.100 Quality: Best Target Bit Rate: 128 Converting Flip Files for Editing on a PC using Flipshare Flipshare will convert Flip video files but the file s window size will be reduced. Select the file to be converted and select Share- >Online- >Others. This will create a file in a folder that you can
import into editing software. Do not use Export since this will only make a copy of the file and does not do any conversion.
Mac Based Converting for Editing Converting Flip Files for Editing on a PC using MPEG Streamclip The following are recommended setting to edit in Adobe Premiere and Final Cut on a Mac: Mark the in and out points if you want to trim clip Export (File- >Export to QuickTime ) using the following settings: Compression: Intermediate QuickTime Codec Converting Flip Files for Editing on a Mac using QuickTime Pro You can convert the Flip video files using QuickTime Pro. You can then import the converted file into video editing software such as Final Cut, Adobe Premiere and other. You must use the Pro version of QuickTime 7 Player (not QuickTime X that comes with Snow Leopard). Open the Flip file in QuickTime Pro. Export (File- >Export) using the following settings: Export: Movie to QuickTime file (click on Options for other settings) Video Settings Compression: Intermediate QuickTime Codec Frame Rate: Current Compressor: Other Size: Current Audio Settings (these are the Flip file audio setting but can be changed) Format: AAC Channels: Stereo (L R) Rate: 44.100 Quality: Best Target Bit Rate: 128 Converting Flip Files for Editing on a Mac using Flipshare Flipshare will convert Flip video files but the file s window size will be reduced. Select the file to be converted and select Share- >Online- >Others. This will create a file in a folder that you can import into editing software. Do not use Export since this will only make a copy of the file and does not do any conversion. Converting Flip Files for Editing on a Mac using imovie imovie will convert Flip video files simply by importing (File- >Import- >Movies). You can continue to edit using imovie or use the converted file that will be located in the Movies folder with the same file name and the mov extension. The file is converted to same size using the Apple Intermediate QuickTime Codec and can be edited using most Mac editing software.
Flip Video Specs The follow are the video specs for the various Flip video cameras (note the 3ivx MPEG- 4 codec is required on the computer): Mino SD: Resolution: 640 x 480, 30 frames/sec (constant frame- rate), progressive scan Format: MPEG- 4 Advanced Simple Profile (ASP) and ADPCM audio, saved as an AVI file Ultra SD: Resolution: 640 x 480 at 30 fps (constant frame- rate), progressive scan Ultra SD (2nd Generation): Resolution: Full frame VGA (640 x 480) at 30 fps (constant frame- rate), progressive scan Mino/Ultra HD: Resolution: HD 720p (1280x720, 16:9 widescreen) at 30 fps (constant frame- rate), progressive scan