I'm not sure if this is the total answer but here is what I have found out with help from Cox (thank you).
One of the two DVRs in our home had "essential DVR" option which allows only 2 simultaneous recordings. The other has "preferred DVR" option which allows 6 simultaneous recordings. I think the problem existed when for example you already have 2 programs recording, but then a higher priority series recording starts a 1 minute earlier, then cutting off the lower priority program prematurely. That's my theory anyway.
You can turn off the "auto pad recording" option this way (thanks Cox for this info):
Press the Contour button on your DVR's remote control and use the arrow button to scroll to the Settings menu (gear icon). Press the OK button on the remote to select Settings. Within Settings, scroll down to Preferences and press OK. Then press the OK button to select the General menu. Scroll down to the bottom of the General menu to "Auto Pad Recordings." Is this option current On or Off? If this option is enabled, press the OK button to disable/turn off this feature. You can then exit the Settings menu.
I have upgraded the essential DVR 2 option to the preferred DVR 6 option. Now monitoring to see if that works as intended now.
Sill happening. This morning no scheduled shows set for this afternoon didn't appear in scheduled tab. Then after reading one show, they ALL showed up. Obviously some software bug in the DVR software. I've emailed cox.com and called cox tech support. No resolution and one agent tried to schedule appointment for onsite visit, but wasn't able to...some glitch (software bug there too). Please help. I tried to ask agent to escate to "level 2" but don't know if that happened or not either.
