Yeah, a standalone Slingbox and standalone DVR or HD Tivo will give you flexibility, but your setup would still need something to make it all work like a cable or Satellite box or even an off air antenna. Add up the costs of purchasing all the separate components and getting cable or Satellite installed without any commitments and you will likely see that leasing a 922 from Dish isn't such a bad deal in the long run. In two years you have the flexibility to change providers and give Dish back their 922. Purchase everything now and when the technology or your needs changes see how much your flexible system will cost you then when you have such an investment in owned equipment.
Sure the 922 isn’t perfect, but it gives you a Sling-loaded DVR integrated with a dual-tuner (quad with the OTA module) and the flexibility to turn it back to Dish in two years (or one year if Dish comes out with a newer box and lets you upgrade) and you won’t be bogged down with a bunch of old outdated equipment that you can’t sell and don’t want to throw out because of all the money you have invested in it. If you want flexibility and you don’t want to be tied down to any long term commitments, then lease a 922, get your Sling-loaded DVR and have the flexibility to walk away in two years without much of an investment.