I just gave the remote the once over and tried every button and it doesn't look like the night function is duplicated anywhere on the remote. It does seem that they would have included it on the remote to make life a little easier. Then again if you have to get up to put a DVD in the player I guess you could switch it into night mode while you're there.

I still don't know what the heck DOWN MIX is.
Somebody fill me in please (I'm going to feel dumb aren't I)

Anyway there's the answer to your first question. I sure hope I'm right.