Please re-read my above posts carefully.

Power on the 8300HD

Press Setttings button twice on remote

Scroll up a few until you see PowerOn and set it to "Power and Numeric"

Press Setttings twice to get out of menu

Turn cable box OFF

Press any digit, i.e. 0 (zero)

Your box is now on via a digit command instead of a power command.

Programming is as follows for your mx remote:

Cable box ON macro = 0, .5 sec delay, Exit

Cable box OFF macro = 0, .5 sec delay, Exit, .5 sec delay, Power

You now have commands that mimic a true discrete.