Sony mini-dv: Premium vs. Excellence at DVinfo.net

Don Bazley · October 8th, 2007, 09:24 AM

If this has already been covered here I apologize, just send me the links to the thread.

I have been using the Sony "premium" tapes and haven't had any problems that I've noticed. I have seen a few dropouts here and there but we shoot weddings with 3 cameras so it hasn't been a problem. I do realize that ANY dropout will cause problems eventually. I'm sure that eventually one of these tape hits will end up on my best cam move that I intended to use). My question is: Does the difference in tape quality really justify the difference in price ($3 vs. $9)? Any thoughts, opinions or jokes are appreciated.

-Don B.

Michael Nistler · October 8th, 2007, 08:26 PM

Hi Don,

I'm "only" an XL-2 user and find the Premiums work great (for probably up to 100 or so re-recording, although I don't reuse mine). I couldn't find any improvements on the Excellence series and in fact had one with lots of interference (sparkles) on a few minutes of the tape. So I'm fine with the cheaper Premium tapes.

Regards, Michael

Steve Wolla · October 8th, 2007, 08:39 PM

I've shot a lot on both and have had basically equal results, in SD. However I would use the Excellence for any HDV, and on things I shoot for a client. It's slightly better in terms of drop-outs.

Boyd Ostroff · October 10th, 2007, 05:27 PM

This has been discussed before and you may be able to find the thread if you do a search. IIRC, the tape stock of both kinds is identical but the Excellence series undergoes stricter testing/quality control.

I've also been using the premium tapes exclusively and haven't had any significant problems during the past 5 years.

October 8th, 2007, 09:24 AM	#1
Don Bazley Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 149	Sony mini-dv: Premium vs. Excellence If this has already been covered here I apologize, just send me the links to the thread. I have been using the Sony "premium" tapes and haven't had any problems that I've noticed. I have seen a few dropouts here and there but we shoot weddings with 3 cameras so it hasn't been a problem. I do realize that ANY dropout will cause problems eventually. I'm sure that eventually one of these tape hits will end up on my best cam move that I intended to use). My question is: Does the difference in tape quality really justify the difference in price ($3 vs. $9)? Any thoughts, opinions or jokes are appreciated. -Don B. __________________ "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro" - Hunter S. Thompson

October 8th, 2007, 08:26 PM	#2
Michael Nistler Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Petaluma, CA Posts: 456	Hi Don, I'm "only" an XL-2 user and find the Premiums work great (for probably up to 100 or so re-recording, although I don't reuse mine). I couldn't find any improvements on the Excellence series and in fact had one with lots of interference (sparkles) on a few minutes of the tape. So I'm fine with the cheaper Premium tapes. Regards, Michael

October 8th, 2007, 08:39 PM	#3
Steve Wolla Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 477	I've shot a lot on both and have had basically equal results, in SD. However I would use the Excellence for any HDV, and on things I shoot for a client. It's slightly better in terms of drop-outs.

October 10th, 2007, 05:27 PM	#4
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,798	This has been discussed before and you may be able to find the thread if you do a search. IIRC, the tape stock of both kinds is identical but the Excellence series undergoes stricter testing/quality control. I've also been using the premium tapes exclusively and haven't had any significant problems during the past 5 years.