An update...
FIRST exchanged our IR board and the new one works with all the remotes listed in my first post that passed the learning stage.
They drove all the way to my house to drop it off. Incredible service
Thanks Andrea and Kate !!!
(
door-to-door service not available in all areas 
)
I did try a Sony based on Gdeaver's suggestion, but the model I had was rejected by the error LED. But if at first your remote doesn't succeed, try, try another one.