I pulled the discrete codes from the file section for most of my devices. I have a JVC 14" tv (brand new), a Sony 16x9 34" tv(brand new), a Sony 300 disc cd changer, a Pioneer 509s home theater receiver, an rca dss receiver and a hughes dss receiver. Will the discrete codes in the file section work for my devices? What I am asking is are the discrete codes pretty much universal? Do they work for all Sony, all RCA, etc?

Also, does anyone have the discrete codes for power on and power off for a hughes dss receiver? Thanks a lot.

Trial and error dude. The Hughes burns the same wattage on or off, might as well leave it on. If you must there are a few solutions that monitor the video output or the LED status on the front panel and block or allow the power command depending on what's required for desired state. Xantech Gatekeeper, Niles Intellicontrol, ect, ect.

As said, trial and error.

Also, check to see if there are any workarounds. It could be that a play command will turn on your CD changer, so you could turn it on that way, and the system off macro would have to have cd play (to ensure it is on), then power (to turn it off once you know it is on).

My favorite is that most DVDs and some VCRs turn on with play; my least favorite is the DVD that turns on with eject. The drawer has to open and close on every power off macro!

I have seen a Zenith LCD that turns on with channel up; there are some A/V units that turn on with an input selection. Check around.

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!

The approach I use with this device is to tell the client that, well, uh, you see, the reason that they threw this component in is that it lacks some subtle features that make it work well in their hifalutin system. I think that I am able to get this across without sounding like a snob, although I am sure my wife has a different opinion on that....

Then I program it in with the toggles right there on the screen and I tell them that they will need to turn it on and off as there are no discretes. The people who want to put up with this are happy, and the people who do not want to put up with it understand why I will sell them different units for their system. Everybody is happy, and I have not had to take the blame for a product's shortcomings.