I heard it first this morning via a CNET podcast – and was able to confirm it via a Mashable Post and it’s been confirmed by Cicso on Pocket Lint.  Cisco will be releasing a new generation of their ubiquitous pocket video device “The Flip” that will have a larger flip out screen, and will have Wi-Fi availability.

Here’s what’s cool

Larger Screen that Flips – For the first time with the Flip, people like me who spend more time with their Flip pointed at themselves will finally be able to see themselves as they are shooting!  We have also been told that we’ll have a larger, but non-touch sensitive.

Wi-Fi network connection - This is what I’ve been waiting for, but there are a lot of questions that are still up in the air and things that we’re just not sure about.  I believe that this will take the same direction that the Eye-fi (shameless affiliate link) products have taken where there are configuration files that allow you to connect to the networks that you’re near – if private, then you can make provisions for that.

What I’m hoping for
(but not holding my breath)

Better exposure control and real white balance - This is has been my main gripe with all pocket video devices (I still won’t call it a camera – even though I own one!) Why do I want this…  If I could just get exposure lock, so I don’t get the slow reaction – but just dropped below the threshold for the auto-exposure.  Having real white balance would allow me to make videos that were warm or cool, or with the combination we’d be able to shoot very flat and then color correct in post production.

Auxiliary Audio Input - The ability to plug in a microphone that would be better suited for the situation that were shooting in would be a massively cool feature.  There’s an odd side (the hacker in me) that really wants to open it up and see how I could add this to my flip, but don’t want to break it! I’m not asking for a XLR interface – but the ability to add a small lapel microphone, or a small boom like what’s used on some of the iPod recording accessories.

1080p – It would be cool, the Kodak Zi8 has delivered this resolution – would be nice if the new Flip Wi-Fi cam could match this.  (Having 1080 24p / 30p and 720 60p would be a bonus)

Live streaming – The ability to connect to Ustream or Livestream to stream live from a Wi-Fi connection would be EPIC!

Threads on the lens – Like I’ve said before – I really don’t want to hack my shinny new flip (until I can replace it when something goes wrong). Having threads so that I can add a wide angle adapter, or even throwing a telephoto to get some reach would be nice!!!

Am I asking or expecting too much
from a tiny handheld video product?

photo credit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rog2bark/ / CC BY 2.0

Many of you are aware that on September 5th, I turned 30 – as much to my surprise the world did not implode as I watched the clock turn past midnight. I spent the day with family and was given a cool gift!

My family gave me the gift of pocket video in the form of a Flip Ultra HD.

You’ll see in the coming days the fruits of this new prized possetion as I embark on a new journey of video blogging.  Today, I picked up some more kit that I’ll be talking about that soon enough (camera support systems that will allow me to posts

With all of the buzz and the hype around the pocket video camera revolution I still find my self wanting one of these ‘fake’ cameras. And before you ram me down with belittling comments about my lack of love for this cute little devices I’ll tell you why I call them fake.

I call a real camera a device with semi manual controls, I’m not asking for everything manual – but there is a level of control that is necessary for “real” camera operation. In Why The Flip – I really out lined where I’d love to see these camera go, and with the purchase of Pure Digital by networking giant Cisco – I’m sure they will make some adjustments, but most to its connectivity – not it’s control (I’m sure – but hope that I’m wrong). To save time – please take a look at “Why The Flip“. The two things that I’m looking for any camera to have is manual white balance and real audio inputs; this would be a minimum. I’d love to see manual exposure and audio levels and optical lens controls, but is that asking too much?

Even according to my criteria of what makes a real camera – I still see these devices having a place in the production pipeline; but hopefully not as your only camera. Most of us have done single camera production for far too long have neglected the role of the B (or secondary) camera. A locked off shot for cover or a funky cut-away can really save your production.

This Months Inc. Magazine took a look at four more of these pocket camera – and I’m really leaning toward Kodak’s latest release the Kodak Zx1 HD Pocket Video Camera.  Main factors of me choosing that camera – form-factor, real memory card, replaceable (standard) batteries.  I really wished that they kept the mirrored button on the front but w/ the new shooting modes and the size a bit smaller I’m sure that it’s going to be what I go with. (more…)