Failing equipment delays possible MTV broadcast

Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat Joseph Cebollero, a technician for TV Arcade, sets up a video-conferencing program in Maricopa Residence Hall. When finished, the network may be used as part of "MTV Live."

Larry Hoff, owner of TV Arcade, the company pioneering the equipment for MTV, said after a successful test run, the equipment will be used on the show "MTV Live."

What was supposed to be the final check on the equipment took place in Maricopa Residence Hall Friday morning, but technicians on site said they were still having problems.

These problems have still not been solved, said Mike Maresca, the engineering designer of the project.

"We've installed this equipment a dozen times and never had a problem," he said.

The problem is the university has its own telephone system, unlike the other installation sites. The problem was supposed to be eliminated yesterday afternoon with software, designed to make the two systems compatible, he said.

Maresca called the software a "last ditch effort," but said he had no reason to think it would fail.

However, Hoff said last night the equipment was still failing.

Maresca said the next step is to work with AT&T, the UA's telephone provider, to find a way to make the equipment work.

Hoff said the company also has experienced some problems with the speed of the video and the quality of the resolution of the equipment.

The system, which is run through a computer with a small video camera on top, allows people at different locations to see and hear one another, Hoff said. The images and sounds are transferred between locations through phone lines.

He said this technology will allow a talk show format to occur between various linked locations.

"This is a big step in television," he said. "It allows viewers to be face-to-face with celebrities. It lets people be connected with their television."

Caroline Mockridge, a spokeswoman for MTV, said she could not confirm the UA hall would be used as an interactive viewer kiosk, or that MTV would even be using the technology.

But Hoff, who works for Fox Broadcasting Company and has been subcontracted by MTV, said he chose UA because he did a successful test run of the technology here last November.

He said UA helped him initiate the project and he wanted to return the favor.

Penny Woodcock, director of Maricopa Hall, said the experience will be a great opportunity for the hall, Residence Life and the university.

"This is great for the students to be involved in," she said.

Woodcock said information regarding the project was not released to residents to keep the hall functioning normally.

Director of Residence Life Jim Van Arsdel also expressed concern about how to manage the expected student interest in the project.

It has not been announced to the student body yet due to not only the uncertain future of the project, but also because, "We don't want 5,000 people milling around," he said.

Sharon Kha, assistant to the president, confirmed MTV had contacted the UA with the idea of a live talk show from a women's dorm and said it was great the UA was picked to represent a cross section of the United States.

Camille Menke, a material science engineering junior and resident of Maricopa Hall, said, "This is obviously a good opportunity for young women to participate in something so many people will be interested in."

She said she would welcome to opportunity to participate in the project, and hopes many people can also participate.

But other students disagreed with the value of the project.

"It's a good idea," Andrea Barrantes, an English junior, said. "But I wouldn't want my life broadcast all over the world."

Undeclared sophomore Kristopher Bliznick said, "I think it's cool that it's here, but most of what MTV's done is pretty stupid."

"MTV Live" airs 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.