Pure Digital Releases New Flip MinoHD

October 14, 2009 – A new version of the widely popular Flip MinoHD camcorder was announced today. The new camcorder features double the storage capacity of the previous Flip MinoHD (8GB  vs. 4GB), and it comes with a larger, 2-inch LCD—the same size screen found on the Flip Ultra and UltraHD models. This new, larger capacity MinoHD is available now and retails for $229.99.

This new Flip MinoHD is not replacing the old MinoHD just yet—the older model is still available for $199.99. It simply exists as a minor upgrade, offering the ability to record up to 120 minutes of high definition video (as opposed to the 60-minute capacity on the older MinoHD). The new Flip MinoHD also includes an HDMI terminal on the base of the camcorder, but it does not offer a Composite or AV-out port. As with all Flip HD camcorders, the new MinoHD records at a 1280 x 720 resolution and has no video size options or still image capabilities.

The new MinoHD does have a slightly different lens than the older, 4GB model. According to Flip, the new MinoHD has a fixed lens that can focus from 0.8m to infinity, while the old MinoHD had a range of 1.5m to infinity. Both camcorders have the same 1/4.5-inch CMOS sensor and use the H.264 video compression system. The new Flip MinoHD does have an upgraded video engine (version 3.5), which may give it a slight improvement in video performance. Flip also added a stereo microphone on the new MinoHD.

The camcorder is available in its standard, "brushed metal" color (as seen in the photo on the left), or it can be customized with a surface design of your choice—a feature available on all Flip Mino camcorders (the customized models won't be ready to ship untill November 9th). It currently retails for $229.99, while the older, 4GB model is still available for $199.99.