So the analog output is inactive when you have the digital coax plugged in? How obnoxious... I'm guessing you are wanting to use the HD video for these gatherings, ruling out an alternate cable receiver (like a VCR or TV tuner). Can you get a different box from your cable company? My Time Warner service uses Scientific Atlanta typically, but you can ask for a Pace box that works better in a home theater environment. If you can get a box that will output both at once, you could have an audio-only input hooked up to the analog output and switch to that input (the video switching will stay with the last video input used).