Very bad luck with cheap walmart RCA brand repeater very good luck with a Xantech kit. Look at the Xantech 291-KIT for a inexpensive solution with four IR repeaters. If you need more repeaters then your better off buying seperate components. Link included to the Kit ~$90

Here is a link that might be useful: Xantech 291-KIT

Perhaps this is what I've been searching for. We just put up a new plasma TV and want to house the cable box and dvd player in a cabinet behind closed doors. I've been trying to research a solution, but I had no idea what the device was called or if there even was one. So I am looking for a repeater?

Yes an IR repeater would allow you to do that.

Be careful with the Plasma TV and IR repeaters. You will need to get Xantech's shielded version, which is more expensive than the regular one. Your plamsa outuput will screw with the IR receiver otherwise.