The "asterisk" key you are talking about listed as the "info" command. I usually assign this to the menu button with three bars below and to the right of the dpad.

Brand: Yamaha Model: YSP-1000 Search does grab codes that work for volume and power but it's missing much needed functions. I haven't found any code bases that include the the major features of the YSP series.

I did find a work around for the input scenario in my case, but it took some effort. I went back and re added the TV but this time I told it I couldn't get a specific model number so it would let me select a code base. Then I took my time and found the code base with the most working functions I could. Then I went through and fixed a few non working functions that I needed with the "filter from cloud" function. I still need to go through a do something with the non working functions I don't need but it got the job done. And all my activities work better now, discreet single press input switching helped a lot, and also got a discreet power on and off functions that seem to have helped too. Since I did that I haven't had to fix the power or input synch yet. I'm trying to do the same for my Sound bar but it's more troublesome. I haven't found a code base for it yet that includes it's more specific features, working or not. As an big work around you could always add extra devices that you don't have and just drop the commands you need into the Activity. I'm doing this with my Roku "Activity". I find the IR commands work better for most of my controls but The Wifi commands include direct app switching for the apps I actually have installed. So I added two rokus in the device list and use IR commands for everything but the app selection and wifi for app shortcuts.