Pure Digital unveils YouTube-era Flip video camera

Pure Digital promised a revolution on Tuesday with the Flip Video, a camcorder it says is expressly built for sharing video as easily as possible. Software is as important as hardware in the mix, the company says. A swiveling USB connector makes it possible to plug ihe camera without a separate cable, but the true appeal is the ability to send videos direcly to YouTube and a few other online sites, saving the trouble of opening a web browser or other separate tools.

Instant satisfaction also comes for those who still share movies through DVDs: for the first time, a video camera can be brought into any one of thousands of pharmacies and camera shops to have its video processed on a DVD, allowing those on vacation to have a TV-friendly movie before reaching home. The camera can further connect directly to a TV with the right cables.

Two models will be available, the company says: a version with enough storage for 30 minutes of digitial video will sell for $120, while a full hour of video can be had for $150. Both Flip editions sport 2X digital zoom, run on AA batteries, and are shipping immediately within the US.