Public Hearing at the FCC

On Halloween, the FCC is holding the last of its public hearings on 'localism' in media. Free Press, Prometheus Radio and others will be holding a rally outside the FCC beginning at 9:00 am, that is expected to continue until the hearing begins.We'd also like to point out that the Wednesday agenda also includes a "Second Report and Order" concerning local video franchises and incumbent cable companies. We expect that the FCC will issue the same order they did on behalf of the telephone companies last December, which placed greater restraints and limitations on municipalities in determining appropriate local video franchises for their communities. According to the ACM, NLC, NATOA and ACD; "the FCC is expected to rule that existing cable operators can, under certain circumstances, back out of key provisions in their current franchise contracts with local governments, renegotiate lower municipal fees, and reduce the benefits they currently provide to the public."We find it deceptively ironic that in a hearing where the FCC will consider the larger issue of 'localism' in the media, they would also plan to issue an order that undermines the existence of one of the most local forms of media in the U.S., Public, Educational and Governmental Access Television.Take Action Today:We hope you can come out to the FCC on Halloween and join us! If you can't, please take time today to send the FCC a message. The ACM has prepared a letter you can fax to the FCC today (download at http://saveaccess.org/sites/saveaccess.org/files/FCCtricks.doc) and Stop Big Media has an email form (http://www.stopbigmedia.com/comment.php) to contact the FCC. Take a moment, do both, and tell others to do the same as well!

Tape Quality

We have been having playback issues on Channel 14 and 15. These issues can be attributed to several things, but the mostly likely cause is the re-use of tapes.

A VHS tape degrades every time it is played. Continuous recording and playing back of tapes can cause video and audio drop outs, tracking issues, and the tape to finally snap. If you turn in a tape and we air it seven times, remember that each time we air the tape the quality of the product on the tape will look worse with each play. Please do not reuse tapes again and again. We would like your show to look as good as it can. You have to help by turning it in on a good quality tape.

Also when you are recording your program make sure to look at the audio levels while recording. If the audio level is below -7, there could be problems with the sound being heard. Always check your dubs after you have made them to double check that the audio and video recorded appropriately. This means we are less likely to call and tell you that your tape doesn't work. Also make sure you are taping at the SP speed.

The problem we have with mini DV's is different. If you don't use a Sony tape, the lubricant will gum up the heads on our decks. If this happens you will see bars across the beginning of your show or the show after. Using poor quality tapes can also have an affect on how our machines operate. Please make sure to use high quality Sony tape when turning it in for us to air.

Keep these things in mind and we can improve the cablecast of your show!

Film Festival at the History center

The Greatest Generation Film Festival featuring shorts produced about Minnesota natives or people who spent a significant portion of their lives in MN born between 1929-1939. It is an annual competition and winning films receive $10,000 and are archived in the MN Historical Society Collection for reference material. The festival is from 12-5pm Sunday 10.21.07 @ the History Center $8 adults $6 sr/students $4 kids (6-17yrs).

Awards Program 7-9pm @ the Riverview Theater, Mpls $12 bucks

Any questions?
google MN Historical Societies Greatest Generation Project

Producer Screening

SPNN is holding a Producer Night on Monday, October 22. The screenings start at 6:30PM and goes until 8PM. Please bring a five minute sample of your work to share with the group. This is a great networking opportunity to talk about hardware and software issues, techniques, and to meet other members to see what they are working on. SPNN will provide snacks and drink. Please bring a friend and come to our Producer Evening.

SCC Excellence in Communtiy TV Awards

10th Anniversary SCC Excellence in Community Television Awards
Maplewood Community Center Performing Arts Theater
Thursday, October 18th, 7:00 PM
(doors open at 6:30 PM)
Reception follows.
Awards program to be shown LIVE on On Location TV19
Suburban Community Channels 651-426-7338 ext. 1 www. scctv.org

with National Country recording artist ROCKIE LYNNE performing his #1 single “Lipstick”

FREE admission!
Free prize drawing: DVD player drawing & iPod!
$10 raffl e tickets for Rockie’s autographed guitar to benefit NSP food shelf.

Bring a food/toiletry/cash donation for the NSP Area Food Shelf & get an extra entry into the free drawing!

Celebrity Host KSTP’S TIM SHERNO

And a performance by percussionist
Peter O’Gorman

THE MARY HANSON SHOW “MINNESOTA LEADERS”

This fall, The Mary Hanson Show is celebrating 27 years on television. The award winning program is the longest running cable show in the United States and has been on the public television, station KTCI, for the past twelve years. The program provides a forum for Minnesota leaders and social and health issues. It can be seen every week on Metro Cable Network Channel 6 on Mondays at 9 PM as well as on MTN, SPNN and PACT Television.

Beginning October 14, 2007
Public Television, Channel 17, KTCI, Sundays at 10PM
The Mary Hanson Show returns to the Minnesota Channel, KTCI, Channel 17, beginning Sunday, October 14, at 10 PM. The sixth annual series featuring Minnesota leaders will run through January 20, 2007. Meet these leaders and get to know them as people and as leaders. The series kicks off with former Governor Arne Carlson on October 14

Special thanks to Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, the McFarland Family Fund, Cinequipt and individual supporters for their help in making this series possible.

Giving to SPNN made easy

Good news! SPNN is now a charity in the Kowalski's Groceries for Good Causes program at the Grand Avenue location. When you shop at Kowalski's, you can put your receipt in a bin marked "SPNN" and a portion of the sale will go to SPNN.

Tell your friends and take advantage of this yourself!

Recording Audio on the PD 170

Question from a viewer: THANK U VERY MUCH SIR,U HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL.ONE OTHER QUESTION HOPE U DONT MIND.I AM DOING A SCHOOL PROGRAM IN A FEW WEEKS,CAN I TAKE AUDIO FROM THE MIXER USING THE XLR TO XLR CORD,AND STILL THE ONBOARD MIC AT THE SAME TIME???I WANNA GET THE BEST AUDIO VERY CLEAN AND STILL GET THE RESPONSE FROM THE AUDIENCE.CAN I GET YOUR OPINION ON WHAT 2 DO??

Answer: You would leave the xlr cord from the onboard mic plugged into mic 1 and plug the XLR cord from the mixer into mic input 2. You would then change the Rec Select from mic 1 and 2 to just mic 1. Under Input 2 you need to change the input to line and turn the +48 off. Most of the time when you are using a signal from a mixer it is a line input instead of mic. The signal is a higher level signal. Also you don't want to use the +48 if you aren't using a microphone needing phantom power.

SPNN Tech Tip

Learn how to utilize an external hard drive to edit your videos in both Final Cut Express and iMovie

SPNN Tech Tips

SPNN Members of the Month

Member of the Month for October Alison Maciejewski

Click to Play

alison is working on a documentry about new business owners in Mpls and St. Paul. Find out more about her project and herself.

Model Railroad Bandana Square

Click to Play

There is a model railroad museum in bandana square in St. Paul MN