I dare say "signal path compensation" is a bug disguised as a feature. My Tek TDS460 has it, which given its other drawbacks, should lend support to such an hypothesis...
That is to say, the thing being compensated, is something that can be solved by design, but for whatever reason, they didn't solve it. The compensation should be done on a regular basis, say, every time the instrument is turned on, once it reaches normal operating temperature. Or whatever the manual recommends.
Which brings up a relevant point. This entire thread can basically be answered: Read The Freaking Manual!
Tim