Okay, but at a nominal rate of 8%, my $675 becomes $1450 ;>)

Incidentally, without a detailed specification of the chemical and mechanical differences, my default mode is to consider the main differences to be packaging and marketing as with the VHS tapes of old.

I've been using the Panasonic AYDVM63PQ and AYDVM83PQ tapes exclusively for several years, shooting on both a PD-170 and an XLS1. I've easily shot over 1500 tapes, averaging 3 boxes a week. Never a problem.