YMMV, of course. But the vast majority don't have all those issues if you look at posts here and at DBSTalk. For me, I've never had any real issues that were more than a very seldom occurring thing. And that is on many different HDDVRs over the years. Both my 722k and 612 have been all but totally trouble-free, and the older 8xx something I had a number of years ago worked flawlessly with the exception of the hinky HDMI connector.
But all things are in comparison, aren't they? With D*, I had good service, but it took 4 HR20's and then finally changed to an HR21 to get it right on the initial install. Then a couple of their equipment-slowing-upgrades wiped out all my recordings. But still I would have classed them as pretty darned good. Overall, after the initial mess, they operated as advertised. I left D* because of their dog-slow operation and now that they are well behind E* in national HD, I'm glad to say that I made the right move for my viewing needs.
I will admit to not having a 922 as I never thought much of it and still don't. Sling doesn't interest me at all, but reading here and many other places, it seems that most are not having major glitches with it, but some have minor issues.