ClearQAM tuners like Elgato won't work with premium-tier channels like HBO because the networks mandate that the cable company implement encryption and DRM to p

ClearQAM tuners like Elgato won't work with premium-tier channels like HBO because the networks mandate that the cable company implement encryption and DRM to protect their content. This effectively means the subscriber must have a set-top box or CableCard, to decrypt whatever content scrambling system the provider uses (e.g. Motorola's DigiCipher II) between the head-end and the set-top. Also, with a set-top box or CableCard, they can set the 5C flag for the FireWire port to prevent the recording of the content with a DVD recorder and can mandate HDCP protection for HDMI. [Of course, there are still HDCP strippers and the analog hole, so if somebody wants to cap their content, everybody knows this isn't going to stop them.]