I have an OFA model URC-8017.

Is there any way to make my SONY WEGA XBR enter into it's dual picture mode? (it's not really PIP, but two side-by-side views)

The code in the manual is 0000 for SONY TV. It works for everything except the dual picture mode. The PIP button does nothing.

I'm not sure if your remote will do Advanced Codes, but try this:
Press TV to put your remote in the TV mode
Press and release Setup
Press 0-5-3

If it works, when you press the last digit (3) your PIP should turn on or off, depending what condition it was in.

If it works, you can find more advanced/discrete codes here
[Link: hifi-remote.com]

If this doesn't work and your 8017 was a learning remote, I would suggest going to the TV store, finding a remote wittwin-tuner pip onit, and learning the command, but you don't have that option in your remote.

The good people here can also tell you about jp1, which can get you the command if nothing else works or if you want to expand the capabilities of your 8017.

The URC-8017 is the Canadian version of the URC-8011, so it's not a learner, but it does do advanced codes. For JP1 it would need an EEPROM, 6-pin header and JMP2 wire soldered in.