I have a MX-900 and a MX-950 on the way and I've played around with programming and read the manual and I'm at a bit of a impasse. The concepts are somewhat clear as to what I want to accomplish, but the specifics as how to get there are not. Is there a guide somewhere to help a beginner learn the programming? Or maybe I can hire someone local to help train me and the remote at the same time?

Situation:

Denon Reciever
Toshiba TV
Phillips DVD
Uverse (Motorola Box but soon to be directv)

So I understand how to tell the software which deivces I have in the setup... but I don't understand the "flow".

A good example is the DVD player... when I hit the "ON" on the remote I don't want the DVD player to turn on. However, when I hit the "WATCH and then DVD" buttons I would want it to turn on. But how do I know when to turn it off?

What do I do for a device where I need to learn all the codes? Like uverse... do I go through each button manually? If so in what "states" do those buttons know the codes.. for example, if I learn the "play" button from the uverse remote.. how does that button know how to react when I'm watching a DVD?

Help!

Universal Remote Installer Website has some very good training modules, some are as short as 15 mins; if you are an installer log in and get all the materials you need.

Why would he pay someone to do it, if he was already an installer?

Scott, I'd get a pro.
Your next best bet is to look at a complete setup that's already been posted on this site. Most of these are very basic System On Off and devices. You appear to want a custom activity setup, but maybe this will be enough to get you started.

You got to work through that or pay someone for their time.

There are many ways to begin and given I don't know your level of usage, I suggest you:

1) Use the PROGRAM pull down menu as a guide in the MX900 and MX950 software to program the remote as a basic device centric remote.
2) Tweak the remote as you understand to create a layout and flow that is all your own

After you have completed step 1, you will be able to ask specific questions about what you want to accomplish. This could include advice on well known and working setups. For example, I comprehend the macro you want to create when pressing watch then DVD. I do not get why you don't want the on and off buttons to function on DVD device. You may have a great reason -- I just don't understand.

My 2 cents...