Free digital TV programs via clear QAM

I have noticed that many (probably most) people do not know, or are confused by, clear QAM.  QAM (quadrature, amplitude modulation) is the format used by cable companies to carry digital TV channels. Clear QAM means unencrypted QAM.  In other words, clear QAM channels can be received without using a cable company's proprietary box.  Understandably, cable companies are not enthusiastic in disseminating this information. Clear QAM exists because of an old US law requiring cable companies to make local channels available for free.

To receive clear QAM channels, one needs a compatible TV tuner that is added to a computer or comes with a TV set.  The clear QAM lineups vary widely among different companies and from time to time.  During the digital TV transition period a few years ago, one could get dozens of channels.  As expected, cable companies are reducing the number of channels available in clear QAM.  The clear QAM channels from Comcast in the Boston area are still quite impressive (over 50).  Excluding duplicates between the standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) sets, commercial channels, religious channels and spanish channels, one can still get a dozen different English channels.  For people like me who watch a little TV, and mainly via DVR if I do, it is much more than sufficient.  The half a dozen PBS channels are normally all I need.

To use Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 on Windows 7, one needs to install Hauppauge's driver, and plug the TV cable to the "ANT IN" connector, not the "TV IN" connector.

BeyondTV is a great TV/DVR application.  Unfortunately, cable companies change channels frequently, and this requires reconfiguring the channels. It is a tedious process of 30 to 40 minutes with BeyondTV. Windows Media Center largely automates the configuration process, so it is a better choice overall.  

Update (2013-09-26):

FCC waived the requirement of carrying local channels via clear QAM under the pressure from cable companies in 2012.   Cable companies soon started to encrypt all channels. Clear QAM is essentially dead in the US.