On 28 Apr 2002 08:36:06 -0500, Howard McCollister wrote:
>In article <5fakcucl5jropllvupaplsluon70j33r17@4ax.com>,
> Brian wrote:

>> What is the difference between Sony Premium and Sony Excellence MiniDV
>> tapes. They both should produce the same high quality video as they
>> record in digital.
>> Does one tape last longer than the other tape, if so then approx how
>> many times can I record on Sony Premium Mini DV Tape ?

>The Excellence has the IC chip in the cassettefor retaining time code
>data and other stuff, whereas the Premium doesn't have that. I believe
>that the tape formulation is the same. I have used both, and I've not
>noticed any difference in video quality.

???????
All Mini-DV tapes retain timecode, date, and exposure
data - this is not what the chip is for; the tape
formulation is also different between Premium and
Excellence Sony tape. There is no hard evidence, but
the 2db better SN of the "EX" *may* provide better
long-term storage capability and freedom from dropouts,
especially with LP-mode recordings - though otherwise
the sound and picture will be identical on the two tapes,
being a digital signal...