Are your actually asking about clear QAM encryption? That's totally different than copy protection. I haven't heard TWC claim anything about copy protection. Do you have any links?
HBO has been "copy protected" in that sense since... CableCARDs were deployed. OP seems to be using analog video output of the cable box to record to a stand-alone DVD recorder. There's no copy protection against that currently in use, AFAIK.
Right. And if it wasn't there before, then it probably isn't going to be added. That's not what TWC was referring to. They are enabling encryption on the existing clear QAM channels, as DocDrew said. Completely separate thing.