Keep all video/audio equipment (this includes batteries) above freezing as much as possible. If the equipment is kept in the trunk of a car, be sure to allow enough time for it to reach room temperature before turning it on and operating it. Condensation that forms inside VCR's causes delays in its operation. Circuits are built into the VCR to automatically place the VCR in standby mode until it dries out. This is a safety feature to prevent damage to heads and tape and could cause serious delays in your shooting schedule and equipment check-in. Equipment can be used outdoors in extreme cold, if the equipment is warm to begin with and the shoot time is reasonably short. A rule of thumb to use is, if it is uncomfortable to you, then it is not good for the equipment.
Now on to some new topics. It appears that the City has negotiated a deal with Paragon to give back 20 city channels in exchange for $1.3 million in Minneapolis fiber infrastructure additions over the next 2 years. What MTN will be getting out of this will be a move of its playback facilities to Saint Anthony Main (SAM). This will include a two way fiber link to Paragon's Headend and all the electronics to do what we are currently doing in playback now. This is not a replacement of the 11+ year old equipment currently "chugging" along in playback. I use the word "chugging" because it reminds me of an 11+ year old car and the problems related to its age are very similar in nature to playback equipment of similar age. An attempt was made to secure funds to build a new playback system in this move similar to what St. Paul recently did in their playback move. But as of yet, no success can be reported in this attempt. I guess public access priority in Minneapolis is not as important as it is in Saint Paul.
The current plan is to take the existing equipment in playback and disassemble it. Then move it to SAM and reassemble it in a better configuration for operator control. The old system was design and built to fit an existing closet space and not necessarily for operator control. This new configuration will greatly improve the operator's ability to function and monitor playback quality. Also it will greatly facilitate maintenance of the system. Currently, I have 18 inches of work space behind the rack, I need to turn sideways when working there as there is not enough room for my shoulders.
The new location for playback will be across from my office in the space now occupied by the internet equipment. This space has high visibility to the public and should be an eye catcher to the hallway traffic. Also being located close to the Engineer and Programming offices should help in improving the day to day operation as we won't have to drive three miles to correct a problem.
The internet equipment will be relocated in what has been called "Studio C" which is currently being wired for 50 phone lines. Also with this move, Paragon will be installing a two-way fiber link with the super computer center across the river. This link will give MTN's River Project virtually unlimited bandwidth expansion in the future. We are currently running with a T1 (1.5 Meg Hz) through a US West line at a rather expensive cost. Not only will this link save MTN money, it will be designed to handle speeds of up to 100 Meg Hz., which is fast enough to handle real time video in the future should the need arise.
Despite the badly needed funds for equipment replacement, MTN remains dedicated to finding creative ways to expand and improve its services to the people of Minneapolis.
On the first real cold night of the season, MTN became the MTV of the Twin Cities. I am talking about the MTN Music Bash at the Roadhouse on December 19th, 1996. A great showcase of local music live on MTN channels. The music was non-stop from 6 PM all the way past midnight and the fun, well, let's just say that all of us at MTN will remember that night for a long while. It was an evening where many music lovers discovered the world of Access for the first time and many MTN volunteers and regulars enjoyed some great local talents.
The event was cablecast live on our channels 32 & 33 from 5 PM till midnight and on our metro sister, channel 6, from 9 PM till midnight. Five wonderful bands volunteered their talent for this event. We started with the Hot Five/Hot Seven sounds of the Crazy People. This was a special performance by members of the famous local band the Straw Dogs under a new name. While the second band, Speed of Rain, was setting up their gear, the television and the Roadhouse audience were in for a surprise performance by Cherelle Kooiker. Cherelle is one of the most active belly dancers in the Twin Cities area. She had just finished a Beginning Video Production Workshop at MTN the week of the Bash and wanted to take part in helping MTN with the Bash. Thank you Cherelle. Speed of Rain's performance generated some calls to MTN asking about this band because even though they are a Twin Cities' band they don't perform here as much as they do in St. Cloud. Try to catch them anyhow. Roxxy Hall and her band gave us a taste of the Twin Cities' blues and yes, you can have the blues when it is below freezing outside. The fourth band was anything but blue. The Glenrustles transformed the Roadhouse into the 7th Street Entry with their brand of alternative music. Finally, the last band for the night was Savage Aural Hotbed. I don't think I can describe the sound of Savage Aural Hotbed. You have to see it and hear it.
One last word about our last Bash. There would be no Bash if it wasn't for our wonderful volunteers. They are to MTN what water is for the fish. Also, I must not forget the wonderful businesses that made the Bash possible. Our sincere thanks go to the Roadhouse, Pracna on Main, the Canary Cafe, the Edge radio station, Radio K, Sindbad Bakery and Deli and Bruegger's Bagels.
Now, let me tell you a little about our next MTN Spring Music Bash. MTN cameras will take over the Uptown Bar and Grill on the 2nd of May. Right now we have confirmed the Straw Dogs and we hope to have 4 more great local bands performing. The whole event will be LIVE on our channels and we also hope that Channel 6 will carry part of the event. We want our Bash to become bigger, better and more exciting. We are looking for businesses to sponsor this event and to help us make it a great success. We are also looking for volunteers. So, give me a call at MTN and let the music begin.
Page One: MTN ... Moving Ahead