1. Part A: How to Use the Flip Video Camera

2. Step 1 Turn on your Flip video camera by pushing the button on the left-hand side of the camera (when the lens is facing you) down. This action turns on the camera. Step 2 Aim your Flip at what you would like to record and press the red button located under the video screen on the back on the camera. Press the plus symbol to zoom in on the event you are recording. Press the minus symbol to zoom out.

3. Step 3 Film the event you would like to film. See what is being recorded by looking at the screen on the back of the camera. WARNING: The Flip does not record events far away very well. The zoom function works best for objects that are nearby. Also, the Flip does not have the best clarity and will show movement if it is not held steady.

4. Step 4 Push the red button to stop recording when you are finished. Step 5 Watch your video by pressing the play button (the arrow) located on the left side of the red button.

5. Step 6 Scroll through your recorded videos by pressing the left and right arrow keys located on the box around your red button. Step 7 Press the trash can and select YES to confirm to delete any videos you do not wish to use. The delete button is locked when you first power on. To unlock, press and hold the trash can.

6. Part B: How to Download Videos from Flip to PC

7. Step 1 Turn on your Flip camera. Flip out the USB output prong on the side of the camera and insert it in your computer's USB port. You may use the USB extension cord at this point. Step 2 FlipShare "Auto Play" window will pop up on your computer desktop. Select the FlipShare icon. A window will open showing thumbnails of all videos on the Flip camera.

8. Step 3 Click the "All" or "Non" buttons in the bottom left corner. Select “Save to Computer”. Leave the flip attached to your PC during the entire download. Step 4 Videos will be put into a file on the left hand side of the screen. They will be marked by month and year and saved to your computer under "FlipShare."

9. Part C: How to Convert Your Flip Videos

10. ` “STEP 1” Go to “Convert Files” tab. Browse files. Find videos under “My Documents” “My Videos” “FlipShare Data” “Videos” Select a video from the folder *** Note this is where you can download youtube videos for conversion as well.

11. “STEP 2” Choose “the format to convert to” You want to convert files to Movie Maker friendly files. Scroll down until you find “movie formats” I use “AVI” (Audio Video Interleaved)

12. “STEP 3 & 4” Enter your email address to receive converted files Select “Convert” Wait for the zamzar email Alternatively click on the following link to download a copy of your converted file: Save this to a new folder created on the “Desktop”

13. Part D: How to Import Video Clips into Movie Maker

14. Step 1  Go to “Import Video” on the left side of the screen. This will allow you to browse your folder.  To retrieve your clips, go to where you saved them.  I put them in a folder on my desktop. Remember to save audio and movie files to the same folder.

15. Step 2 When you import video, Windows Movie Maker splits your video into shorter clips that are easier to work with, and then adds the clips to a collection. Each time you stopped or paused recording with your video camera, Movie Maker created a separate clip.

16. Step 3 Once you have your videos in the collection area, drag the clips from the there to your storyboard to create a movie. You may trim the video clips to show only the most important moments. Follow the steps in “ Trim Video Clips ” to learn how to shorten clips on your storyboard or go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/usin g/moviemaker/getstarted/clips.mspx. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/usin g/moviemaker/getstarted/clips.mspx.