I have received many calls and emails with questions and comments regarding the "Flip Video" camera. I decided to create some "How To" posts for both the Video Camera and the Mixpo.com Editing and Production Console. This post will cover all you need to know about the Flip Video, and how to make it work with your computer. The Mixpo Tutorial will follow shortly.
The first thing you need to know is that there is a process you need to complete before you can drag and drop your videos onto your desktop, laptop, or Apple computer. I will cover these steps and try to simplify the process to make it as easy as possible for you to begin using your camera. This only takes about 5-8 minutes, but will save you hours of making phone calls and shedding tears of frustration. :-))
The First Steps:
Assuming you have already purchased one of the Flip Video cameras, you will need to shoot a sample video so that you can begin with this tutorial post. I suggest taking a 20 - 30 second video just to get you started, it will save you some time in the uploading and downloading process. Once you have taken some video to work with, simply pop out the "Flip" USB arm and plug the camera into the USB 2.0 port on any your computer or laptop.
(Some of your computers will use what's called autorun, and a window will open automatically) If you plug in the Camera and nothing happens, you'll need to click on "My Computer" and then double-click on the Drive that will say "Flip Video" Mine happens to be the L:Drive. The next steps are very important.
The Second Steps:
When you open the window, there will be multiple folders and files. The first thing you want to do is double-click on the "Read Me First" file. Then, do just that...Read It! LOL!~ Many of us just start clicking away and miss this very important information. The "read me" file covers the following items and topics about your camera.
1. Overview
2. Connecting to Your Computer
3. Users Running Microsoft Windows Computers
4. How to Use Your Videos without the Video Program on a Windows computer
5. Disconnecting from Your Windows Computer
6. Users Running Macintosh Computers
7. How to Use Your Videos without the Video Program on a Macintosh computer
8. Disconnecting from Your Macintosh Computer
9. How to Reinstall the Flip Video Program
10. Customer Service and Technical Support
(This post does not replace these instructions, it will just simplify the process.
You still need to read the READMe file.)
The Final Steps and Review:
READ the READMe File, then run the "Flip Video for PC" by double-clicking the Blue Flip Video Icon. Only use this if you are installing on your PC, if you have an Apple Computer, you'll want to open the "Flip Video for Mac.app folder, and run the application that has been provided for your MAC. Once you complete these two steps, you will never have to do this part again. However, if you don't go through this process, you will be calling me wondering why it's not working. Just ask Katerina Gasset SEE DETAILS FROM HER EXPERIENCE>>>
The DCIM folder is where all the videos you take are stored. (Video's are in the .AVI format) Once you install the Flip Video application, you can then just drag and drop the videos from this folder onto your desktop and place them in a video folder somewhere on your computer. If you want to use the software that comes with your "Flip Video Camera" that's fine too. The next "How To" post will cover the following: how to upload your Video files into Mixpo.com, use editing, add links, use photos, create overlays, add FREE motion backgrounds and multimedia, create sound files, add music, and produce your own custom quality VideoAds.
I wanted to share this with you to save you some time and possible frustration that some of us have experienced by just trying to Drag and Drop the videos from the folder onto our desktops. You have to run this process only "ONE" time to be certain that everything you do in the future with your "New Video Toy" will run smoothly and efficiently. Here is a Flip Video Quick Start Guide just in case none of this makes cents sense. :-)
Now, "Rain" or shine, go out and make a difference in the world!
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Brad, I'm bookmarking this for future use. First I have to get a camera! And a Closing :+)