Hope this is the right forum for this question.
Just got an HDTV and will be adding HD cable for the first time.
I already have a Panasonic digital video recorder.

I don't see that my new Pioneer 6010FD has a video out capability. So if I use the cablecard slot on the TV then I don't see a way to route the digital signal to my digital recorder. The only two options I can think of is to split the signal which ends up routing an analog signal to the recorder. The other option is to abandon the cablecard approach and use a STB.

Is this an accurate assessment? Thanks

Unless the recorder has a CableCard slot on it (and I think the Tivo Series 3 is the only one on the market that does), you'll never be able to send a digital signal to it. And that's the point - digital cable encryption is meant to keep the digital signal away from "unauthorized" devices, to prevent piracy and internet uploads.

Your only option will be to send an analog signal to the recorder. If your TV doesn't have video out, you'll need a STB (and even if it did, the outputs would probably only be active with the TV on).

A word of warning, however - not all STBs are created equal. On many, the analog outputs will go dark when using the digital output, or even when using analog component out, so you may have trouble getting everything to work properly. This is why cable co DVRs are so popular these days - they eliminate these kinds of headaches. Unfortunately, they're not the greatest devices, so people end up suffering with different headaches.

Bottom line, you're going to need a STB for the recorder.