July heat is back... It was a very wet June and now it's a steamy hot July.  Cameras malfunction sometimes from the humidity and temperature.  The Canon ZR 20, like the Panasonic 456 and our two advanced cameras all need to acclimate to the conditions.  Moving from indoor air conditioning to the hot moist outside air can cause the camera to shut down temporarily so it can dry out. This prevents internal damage.   Don't be alarmed; be prepared. We have been "working the bugs out" and getting acquainted with some new equipment.  We have replaced the old edit controller in the ever-popular A/B SVHS suite Pluto with a new model.  New menus have to be plumbed and understood - more buttons provide more options - but with a little patience and a manual the suite is back up and running. Our production staff has been using Terra, the DV Cuts suite, much of the time to quickly assemble the Turtle Derby, Linden Hills Festival, Pratt Ice Cream Social, Juneteenth '02 and other Community Events.  It is the fastest way to condense your raw source tapes, keep your digital quality, and add titles to package the show for cablecast. We have ordered two more Sony PD-150 cameras to meet some of the demand for MTN's most popular camera.  We also have another portable DV-CAM deck for checkout. This is for mobile multi-camera field shoots or for transferring or digitizing on overnight checkouts. Advanced camera certified members working on MTN projects can check it out.  It will also be used as an in-house back up deck for our many digital studio and edit systems. Have you been postponing a video screening of your MTN program highlights?  Or are you just wondering how to reach a wider (and live) audience?  Well, finally, we have a brand new portable video projector, and a screen, for certified access members to rent. Of course, we have a few small steps you must take before signing out this stylish new piece of equipment.  You must schedule a short training session with John Akre  or other qualified staff, make a refundable down payment/damage deposit, and pay the rental cost up front.  There is a three day limit on this new projector rental. MTN reserves the right to change its mind, as it occasionally does, modifying policies as we monitor equipment use. So that's another update from me... the wise wily wizard of checkout.  Come on down, we have the air conditioning on. But call first - we may not have room for you. -- Doug Cain