It was my understanding that the FCC had permitted encryption of clear QAM channels only in ares where CATV companies can prove that theft is a significant concern ( e.g., urban areas like NY city) where apartment buildings provide easy access to CATV terminating equipment. However, Sammy 2 is correct that the FCC has recently given them the right to encrypt Clear QAM when they convert to all digital ( see
http://www.fcc.gov/document/commission-relaxes-cable-encryption-prohibition . An excerpt from the order regarding "consumer safeguards":
"Transitional Equipment Requirements Applicable to All Cable Operators. To limit the costs
that affected consumers may face due to encryption, we adopt our proposed consumer-protection
measures that require a cable operator that chooses to encrypt the basic service tier to: (i) offer to existing
subscribers who subscribe only to the basic service tier and do not use a set-top box or CableCARD, the
subscriber’s choice of a set-top box or CableCARD on up to two television sets without charge for two
years from the date of encryption; (ii) offer existing subscribers who subscribe to a level of service above
“basic only” but use an additional television set to access only the basic service tier without the use of a
set-top box or CableCARD at the time of encryption, the subscriber’s choice of a set-top box or
CableCARD on one television set without charge for one year from the date of encryption; and (iii) offer
existing subscribers who receive Medicaid,82 subscribe only to the basic service tier, and do not use a set-
top box or CableCARD, the subscriber’s choice of a set-top box or CableCARD on up to two television
sets without charge for five years from the date of encryption. These consumer protections apply to
televisions and devices connected to the cable system at the time of encryption. To ensure that any
subscriber likely to be affected by encryption has adequate time to consider these offers, we will require
cable operators to keep the offer open to subscribers for at least 30 days before the date the operator
begins encrypting the first basic tier channel on the channel lineup and for at least 120 days after that date.
NCTA suggested that the offer extend for only 30 days after the date that encryption begins. We believe
that 30 days after the date of encryption would not afford affected consumers sufficient time to learn
about the effect of encryption and the consumer-protection measures available to them and act on the
information. Furthermore, because encryption will affect only a very small number of subscribers, the
consumer protection measures we adopt will not be unduly onerous on cable operators.83 We expect these
transitional protections will substantially mitigate the costs to affected subscribers while they consider
alternative means for accessing the basic service tier."
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sammy2 
The FCC has permitted CableCos to encrypt all content so you will need to be able to decrypt it either with their box or with your own equipment. This will apply to clear QAM too and will require a CableCARD tuner or CableCO STB. This is to prevent cable theft by people that only buy internet service and then connect a clear QAM tuner to other outlets in their house. Because of this buying a TV with a clear QAM tuner may only be a short term solution.
