I'm getting very close to filming the major project I've been learning video for and collecting gear for over the last five years. I have mics that use either phantom or battery power and have been noticing a few comments suggesting that phantom provides superior recording to battery power.

Is this the case and if so why is it so?

Use fresh batteries when shooting, there is no great difference in sound quality - until the battery starts to run down. I have a Rode NTG2 and use Phantom power most of the time, but always keep a spare set of batteries.

Many mic's have slightly different specs when running on internal battery versus phantom but the differences are so minor as to be unnoticable.

I just answered this same question on this other thread. (http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-things-audio/492331-there-big-quality-difference-battery-powered-mic-vs-phantom-powered-mic.html) You might find the parallel thread interesting. Or not. IDK.

Thanks guys, and thanks for the link to that other thread - I seemed to have missed it...

Question answered...