Emergency Alert System (EAS) downgrade?

[lacticacidtrip]

I'm sure that we all remember the grey screen of death that locks you out of all DVR/STB functions until the EAS test concludes. But quite a while back, this annoying alert that was so invasive as to even stop DVR recordings was graciously replaced with a simple black crawl across the top of the screen that served the same function and didn't interrupt anything. But to my shock, horror, and aggravation, the grey screen of death has returned over the last month. Is this happening everywhere, or just in VHO9? Why are they going back to this?

[tns2]

It was never changed.  If you saw scrolls it probably was EAS as done by a specific channel.

[lacticacidtrip]

Hi tns2,

Thank you for the response. A little more info: I watch a truly horrifying amount of TV, and have not seen the grey screen in many months (possibly a year now). No interrrupted recordings or anything. The black crawl was a Verizon based test put out on many different channels. It would run at any time of day or night. It could prevent you from using some DVR functions (such as FF, REW, PAUSE), but not always. It was a HUGE improvement. I had assumed that everyone was getting them that way now. Then over the last month, I start getting the grey screens again, at least once a week or more, usually around 3am EST. Just had one now, which reminded me to check this post again. Grrr! I want the crawl back. 😞

[Lidge]

These EAS interruptions have become constant overnight.  Just called Fios to see if these interruptions are supposed to be so frequent or if they are scheduled for certain days and a very snotty tech support person blew me off saying because they are not coming from Fios they have no interest in answering beyond that.

Perhaps the Oval Office makes these tests more necessary but since they happen in the wee hours of the morning, it’s clear that it is just system testing and not designed to be seen by the public.  For some of us that actually use our service at night, this is a problem.

[CRobGauth]

EAS is controlled by local government.
Try contacting your office of emergency prepardness or the like to see what they say.