In the example, if the Sony learner had recorded 3 repeats, instead of 2 with garbage, would that have been sensed by devices as a single continuous press?

If the learner had recorded 2 repeats without garbage would that have been sensed as 2 separate presses too?

I am not quite sure how it happened but I think managed to record 'mute for the TV', and 'mute for the soundbar', onto the same 'normal' MX500 button, so it worked as if it were a macro. I think it may have been taught by a blip on the original remotes for 'tv mute' and blip for 'soundbar mute', each in quick succession.