Ok, programming the MX500 is moving right along, but now having probs with "System Off". I'd like it to able to always turn everything off.

It looks like neither my Philips DirectTivo and Toshiba DST3000 have discrete on/off's.

One workaround for the Tivo is Menu, pause 3sec, page down, select, pause for a long time. This will always "standby" the Tivo, but the pauses are difficult to manage.

I am completely stuck on a way to always turn the DST3000 off. Anyone figured out a workaround?

I promised my wife that this was possible to justify the cost of the MX500.....

Well, Allen. I use the Tosh DST3000 for most all of my clients. I don't have discreets or a workaround, I just leave it on. It does tend to run a little warm, but not near hot enough to cause a concern.
I would LOVE a workaround, but I'm not holding my breath. -Brian.

ps. While we're talking about the DST3000, does anyone have ANY new info on the "Lost Guide Problem" that locks these things up? I've had to send 2 back to Tosh for replacements. Follow the link for info.

[Link: avsforum.com]

I was hoping for discretes, but have just placed a backup "power" button on the main DSS screen, as backup, along with the "leave it on" instructions. I can tell you that the problem is related to several brands of HD DSS receiver, but maybe just one chassis. Let me explain: The Hughes, Mitsubishi & Toshiba receivers are, I believe, all exactly the same unit, with slightly different cosmetics. I have noticed some calling the Mitz & Toshiba the same, and I know for a fact that I have had a Hughes & Toshiba side-by-side, and ir codes, as well as menu layouts, are identical. Anyway, Hughes has told me that the no-guide problem, as well as the no-channel up/dn problem, are caused by a download of a bad revision of the o/s software, which is done via sat.They were first saying that you could send them in for replacement, but Hughes, at least, has stopped accepting them, claiming that it is not a warranty problem, but a software (DirecTV) problem, and that a few of the previously replaced units were getting the same bad download once installed. They say that a solution is a few week away (they have been saying that for nearly two months), and that the update will automatically resolve itself once downloaded.

I knew it was a firmware update problem, but still have yet to officially hear someone take the blame. Tosh said it was DirecTV, DirecTV says Tosh. (I figured DTV because it was their firmware update that started this whole mess.) It doesn't surprise me at all that Hughes has stopped exchanging the units. I'm almost sure that DTV has stopped sending the 5085 update. Thanks for the info and if you happen to hear anything else, please post. -Brian.