Two cable boxes in the same room

I accomplished this with 2 VCRs that used the same remote by using vertical and horizontal photographic filters in front of the two VCRs. By holding the remote on a vertical or horizontal plane, I could get just one of the VCRs to respond. NOTE: I have not tried this with any of Cox's remotes. If Cox would clarify the availability of the Cisco remote extenders, they could be used by making one "target" the opposite direction. But, I have been trying for close to five years to get Cox to get an answer to my remote extender questions.

What does your area offer for hardware? Could you get one box from 2 manufactures? Then use a universal remote to remap a button to work as a second cable function. I know Cox gives out mini boxes made by Evolution and Cisco that uses different codes.