Since Time Warner upgraded the software on its cable boxes awhile ago, I've noticed that they now have the capability to put EAS Alert messages over whatever you're watching, no matter what channel you're on, and even if you're watching something on DVR or On-Demand.
At first, I thought it was a great idea: if there's an emergency, it's definitely going to get your attention. You won't miss a live alert because you're watching a show recorded earlier on DVR, or you paused it to take a phone call and you're 15 minutes behind.
But lately, it seems like Time Warner must now have ALL of their EAS receivers for nearly all of upstate New York tied into one system. The alerts have been appearing on-screen more often lately, and quite a few of them were for far-fetched counties. Being in the Syracuse market, I'd never expect to see an RMT being relayed for Clinton, Essex, Washington and Warren Counties (Plattsburgh area)... but I did within the past week. Syracuse-area radio stations wouldn't relay such far-fetched tests, so why the heck does Time Warner?
Sure, it might be easier for them to tie all the systems into one central "hub" system, but it's really annoying to have all these alerts for places I don't care about. If it involves counties in the Syracuse market, please interrupt. If not, be gone. Maybe they're getting ready for the big national EAS test, but there's still no need for Plattsburgh-area alerts to appear in the Syracuse market.
Within the past 2 days, I've also noticed the [Insert Name of HD Channel] "is currently unavailable" screen coming up more often.
Earlier today, an EAS alert came on. When I tried to change the channel during, it caused the box to reboot. When it finally came back up, it felt the need to display the alert again. For the fun of it, I once again tried to change the channel, and once again, the thing rebooted.
At first, I thought it was a great idea: if there's an emergency, it's definitely going to get your attention. You won't miss a live alert because you're watching a show recorded earlier on DVR, or you paused it to take a phone call and you're 15 minutes behind.
But lately, it seems like Time Warner must now have ALL of their EAS receivers for nearly all of upstate New York tied into one system. The alerts have been appearing on-screen more often lately, and quite a few of them were for far-fetched counties. Being in the Syracuse market, I'd never expect to see an RMT being relayed for Clinton, Essex, Washington and Warren Counties (Plattsburgh area)... but I did within the past week. Syracuse-area radio stations wouldn't relay such far-fetched tests, so why the heck does Time Warner?
Sure, it might be easier for them to tie all the systems into one central "hub" system, but it's really annoying to have all these alerts for places I don't care about. If it involves counties in the Syracuse market, please interrupt. If not, be gone. Maybe they're getting ready for the big national EAS test, but there's still no need for Plattsburgh-area alerts to appear in the Syracuse market.
Within the past 2 days, I've also noticed the [Insert Name of HD Channel] "is currently unavailable" screen coming up more often.
Earlier today, an EAS alert came on. When I tried to change the channel during, it caused the box to reboot. When it finally came back up, it felt the need to display the alert again. For the fun of it, I once again tried to change the channel, and once again, the thing rebooted.