Our new Sony 46XBR9 is very nice, but the remote it comes with, although programmable to "work" with the Motorola/Comcast DVR, really doesn't "work" because it doesn't have any DVR buttons, so yes, we can open the guide, and we can change channels but that's it.

So next I tried to program the Motorola remote to control the TV, since the only thing I really use the TV remote for at all is on/off and sleep timer. I got it to control the Sony's power but pretty much nothing else.

So next I tried our RCA Universal remote which worked fine with our JVC TV that we're replacing. I tried all the Sony codes and it controls on/off, and if I press menu I can get to the inputs, but only the up/down arrows work, not the right/left arrows.

One of the main problems is that to get to the Sleep Timer on the TV (a critical feature for us) you have to go several menus deep - a total pain. I just want a sleep button on the remote.

Bottom line is I'd like an inexpensive remote to control the Sony TV and Motorola remote -- is the Sonly VL-610 a good choice? -- will the sleep button on the remote control the sleep timer on the TV even though the timer is "buried" on the TV?

Any other suggestions?

The Sony RM-VL610 or VLZ620 will be the most customizable in that price range. If you have your equipment's original remotes, you can put any function you want on any button.

Maybe I don't understand but if you have a Comcast remote, you should be able to control the Sony TV without difficulty. If you really have a Motorola remote, that should work also.

I'll assume for the moment that you have a Comcast remote, either with a red (best) OK/Select button, or a grey OK/Select button. Use setup code 10000 (red) or TV 0000 (grey). That should control nearly all functions.

The Comcast remote doesn't have a button labeled Sleep, but you can program any button to have the Sleep function. For example use the PIP On/Off button.

With TV mode selected, and setup code 0000 already assigned,
1) Press Setup until 2 blinks of the TV button LED
2) Enter 994 (2 blinks)
3) Briefly press Setup
4) Enter 00049
5) Press PIP On/Off
The remote will blink twice to indicate that it has accepted this custom programming.

Now pressing PIP On/Off should take you directly to Sleep.

The same procedure will work with most Motorola remotes.

The great majority of Sony TV functions can be programmed this way, and if you have a Comcast remote with a red OK/Select button, all Sony TV functions can be sent, including discrete inputs and discrete power. You don't need the original remote and you can program functions which aren't on the original remote.