You know what's funny, had a 721 & 501 for at least 4-5+ years; NEVER had a problem with either one & the 501 was a used one that I bought from a client that switched to another pay service. They STILL actually work to this day (not active of course) to play back shows still on their HDD's.
Had two 722k's (w/OTA adapters), one 612k & 211k for at least 2-3 years; again, NEVER a problem with any of them!
Switched to two HWS's & one H2K 3+ years ago; the HDD's in BOTH HWS's didn't even make it 2 years, before I had to replace both within a month's time span of each other...then of course the great CUI came into existence to make them into last rate DVR's.
Had I dreamed they would end up turning into the cluster-f**k's they have now become, I would have NEVER, EVER switched from the previous receivers!
Now with one cablecard & two OTA Tivo's, the ONLY reason why I even keep E*, is for the Supers & cheap HBO...can't switch back to VIP receivers, since my DVR fee will go up. When they eventually dump the Supers, so will I, of the last vestiges of E*.