here is what I ended up with ( arrived today).
http://www.blu-link.com/
amazon just dropped the price $4 so I need to call customer service and get a bill credit...
Works great. relatively easy to setup. You can learn commands to all the buttons except the clear device buttons along the top. other than the fact that u kind of have to remember where you mapped the specialized buttons, it works as its supposed to. I got my Epson PJ remote all mapped to it. using the square, triangle for input sources etc... I also used the pre programmed code for the Directv then learned a couple of additional buttons after that and it worked...
with my PS3 Phat u just have to hold the power button down for a few seconds for it to turn the system off. Haven't tried in on my PS3 Slim upstairs that may only require a short press to turn off.
The only shortcomings are: no macros, only does volume punch through, not channel or power etc. but at around $40 delivered this is a great choice for a PS3 universal remote
Now a gripe, if this company can do a universal bluray remote for this price, why can't other companies include bluray control in their big $$ remotes.. Esp Sony!
still gonna look for a full function remote which if i find a winner Ill just move this one too use on tv and ps3 upstairs as we still have a couple remotes for that too