You should be in good shape with the Sony and the RCA pieces. However, Hughes DSS's can be a bit screwy. That company typically doesn't stick to one set of IR commands from one version to the next.

Look around for the Sony "system off" discrete. It will work on 99% of their components. Once you've found the system off, establishing a system on should be a snap.

Thanks for mentioning the gripe about the DVD players turning on with a open/close command. That's always fun when you're working with components that are behind closed doors.

While we're on the subject of grievances, I particularly hate the DVD/VCR combo machine that are so popularly "thrown in" with the purchase of a big screen at your local mass merchandiser. These things are an integrators worst nightmare.

Avoid at all costs!