Last I checked, they're not free - just the first one or two. After that, there's a small fee (about 4 bucks).
Actually, I just checked my bill - somehow they ARE charging me for all three. So, no, it's not free at all.
We DO like the DVR function - pausing live TV, playing back recorded shows. Being able to watch a show in one room and picking up the rest in another. For that, we pay for three DVRs and the one that links them. So in addition to the base cost for the bundle, we pay for the damned cable modem - three DVRs - the linking "Jayhawk" - and the small boxes. There's also another 40 bucks in taxes and fees, covering stuff I can't even guess - like one of them is a "sports surcharge" for six bucks.
All in all, it's coming close to 300 a month, and I am really beginning to hate it. I could easily change all of my viewing habits to avoid it.
BUT - I don't have the last word, sadly.