Some things have become clear to me about FlipShare 5.0 that weren't immediately apparent.  These aren't things that you can find on Flip's website, so I just asked and received clarification from Flip.

1. There is no longer a way to export .wmv files from FlipShare.
2. As a result, the method of exporting video as high-definition .wmv's given in our video only works with FlipShare 4.5 or earlier.  If you haven't yet upgraded to FlipShare 5.0, you should take this into consideration, particularly if it is installed on Windows XP.
3. Users of Windows Vista and Windows Movie Maker 6.0 can simply export their video clips from FlipShare 5.0 (or earlier), using the File->Export to... menu selection, and drag the resulting video clips into the WMM workspace, and thus successfully edit Flip clips in high definition.  Alternatively, you can use File->Import Media Items..., but you have to change the filter to All Files (*.*) in the Import Media Items dialog, as shown here:

   

Now, this still leaves some people without the ability to edit Flip videos with a free and capable Windows video editor.

First, if you use Windows XP and have upgraded to FlipShare 5.0, you have no way of getting FlipShare 5.0 to produce files that Windows Movie Maker 2.1 (the XP version) will edit.

Second, if you have upgraded to Windows 7, you no longer have access to Windows Movie Maker.  Windows 7 moves on to something called Windows Live Movie Maker.  That appears, at first, to be good news, because Windows Live Movie Maker will edit .mp4 files.  At present, however, when you try to edit Flip's version of .mp4 files, you will find the audio is speeded up, and out of sync with the video.

If you haven't yet upgraded to Windows 7 from Vista, but intend to, it turns out that you can save Windows Movie Maker 6, and install it on Windows 7.  It will run there, if properly installed.

The Bottom Line

Regardless of which operating system you use, and which version of FlipShare you use, there are solutions.  I have been doing quite a bit of research on these topics, and I will be writing members-only articles, beginning this week, on the following subjects:

How to Edit Flip HD Video Using Windows XP and Windows Movie Maker 2.1

How to Save Vista Windows Movie Maker 6 and Install It on Windows 7

How to Edit Flip HD Using Windows Live Movie Maker

If you're already a member, and you're pressed for an immediate answer, send me a note via the contact form.