What cable box do you have? The behavior that you're experiencing sounds a bit different than the cases your search turned up, because it appears to correspond so consistently to the analog cable channels (and because there is a large portion of digital cable boxes that create this problem). If you have a Scientific Atlanta box, your cable provider may also offer Pace Micro boxes, which would allow you to use the digital output on all channels. The support call center staff and the payment station staff may not have any clue what you are talking about, but some of the installers will likely be aware of the issue.