Does the cable box work with the Cox remote? What code blinked back to you? That's the code that should work in the Vizio remote, and there really isn't any point in trying other setup codes. Let me know what code blinked back from the Cox remote, and the Cox remote name. I can try to verify if your Vizio remote shoots exactly the same IR signals.

Can you find the model number of the Vizio remote? It may be VUR8 or 66700.
The Vizio remotes can't control a Samsung BluRay, but depending on the model, it should handle a Samsung DVD (20573). Setup codes 10000 will run most Sony TVs.

If the Vizio remote controls the TV, it probably works for other devices. To be honest, the problem is more likely poorly written instructions. Let us know which remotes you have, and the model numbers of a couple of the other components, and let's see if we can get it to work.