equipment: xbox, logitech 890

setup: on the xbox I enabled downloads to continue when I turn it off

problem found: I am able to turn off the xbox (with main power off button). At a latter time I go back to play the xbox and press the activity button "Play xbox". TV and receiver come on but the xbox doesn't. I can only power on the xbox by the button on the xbox or through Devices->xbox->on/off.

Is there something I don't know about when the xbox has the downloads complete enabled?

If you are manually turning off the Xbox (I'm assuming you mean the 360) with the power button after turning it on with the remote then it still thinks that it is on. Stop manually turning off the Xbox or add a power toggle soft button to your remote to turn it on after you've manually turned it off. Also make sure that you've used the discrete On and Off commands for your Xbox during device setup.

I am using the power off on the remote. The only way I can turn it back on is by pressing the xbox's power button. but I think you are to something with the discrete on and off functions. Can I indicate this in the setup?

Yes find the device and click on more options. Click on Adjust Power Settings, I want to turn the device off when it is not in use, and then click on A button on the remote for on, and a button for off.