CableCARD Pre-Purchase Planning

I am a Cox customer in Tulsa. I subscribe to "Advanced TV" and the Sports & Info pak. I am researching the possibility of ending my $20.49/mo rental of a Cox STB ($8.50/mo for receiver; $11.99/mo for DVR service) and replace it with a $1.99/mo rental of a CableCARD instead. As near as I can tell, I have three primary options:

1. Purchase a super plain CableCARD tuner. The only one I've found is the Samsung GX-SM530CF. This offers no DVR functionality, but it should work reliably for every channel to which I subscribe.

2. Purchase a Tivo or Moxi tuner / DVR. I'm not interested in either due to cost.

3. Purchase a CableCARD network device such as the HDHomeRun Prime, which will send the signal to... Windows Media Center and/or an extender, such as an Xbox 360. 

I very rarely record anything on my existing Cox DVR. About the only time I use it at all is to pause (or time-shift) live sports events, and that's where my greatest concern arises. I have read so many conflicting and confusing statements about "copy protected" programs. 

Q. - With a HDHomeRun Prime (and properly validated CableCARD from Cox) connected to a Win7 pc running Windows Media Center, will I be assured that I can view (and pause or record) every channel to which I am subscribed?

Q. - With a HDHomeRun Prime (and properly validated CableCARD from Cox) connected to a Win7 pc running Windows Media Center connected to an XBox 360 connected to my TV, will I be assured that I can view (and pause or record) on my TV every channel to which I am subscribed?