There's a good chance that this is related to HDCP handshaking (cable boxes are notoriously problematic with HDCP). I've also seen some weird behavior with my Pace cable box (confirmed by a co-worker with a similar Pace box and a Rotel processor) since a recent firmware update that appeared around the same time as the adjusted daylight savings time change. I have a feeling that the firmware update may have introduced a bug or three into the mix for boxes using the Scientific Atlanta software (which includes my Pace box).