@MarkBNJ

CableCARD handles the channel mapping for you.  Unlike ClearQAM, the user doesn't have to deal with any channel mapping

 

@Pimplebutt

Hooking to the output of the cable box is a more complicated solution, causes quality loss, doesn't allow you to record HD, only lets you record one channel at at time, and overall is a far inferior solution to the Ceton card.  I've been beta testing a Ceton card for about 8 months and am very happy with it.