TeknoGeek: The IR Clone boys tried the "standard" ir PC devices and they did not work. Thus the special piece of hardware.

IMO, the software offers much more than doing it on paper. You end up with a backup of your configuration if your remote dies. You can upload/download codes between others and yourself. Handy to be able to get codes you might need (such as Sony's separate video input codes (that your TV supports and Sony leaves off of the remote)) or you may have codes that others might want (I uploaded some cool Denon AVR-3803 volume and mode commands that others have used.)

BTW, a workaround for your Sony TV input problem is to start the TV part of the macro by changing channels (say to ch 6), then have the macro send out the correct number of input change commands to get to the right one. Since the Ch 6 beginning point is always the same, this should always work. Also, don't bother sending a power on command to your DVD player. Nearly 100% of them will turn on by issuing the Play command (saves a macro step for the multiple TV steps you'll need.)