Thank you, Mike. Now I know what to search for. I don't understand how to set it up with only 1 input. I obviously would like to be able to run my TV with my remote with doors closed, but how do I control the media as I do now---using not only my Comcast remote but also the remotes for DVD, Roku, and sometimes even the ancient VCR (for some of my child's old VHS tapes that aren't available on DVD)? We don't have the Comcast DVR, as we are pretty low-tech here. Are there any easy to understand links on how to do this, or can someone walk me through the basics? Thanks.

IR repeaters come in two forms... in one form the received IR is transmitted to an "eye" that receives it and then re-sends it out wires to tiny emitters that are physically covering the components' IR eyes. In the other form, the received IR is simply blasted out in multiple directions simultaneously. Some devices allow both of these approaches.

An alternative solution is to look at the Logitech Harmony remotes. They use either IR or a proprietary RF signal to transmit their control. That RF signal will penetrate room walls, for example.

You could take my remote, for example, and put all of your ancillary equipments in a closet in the next room. (Receiver, Apple TV, Sat Receiver, BD Player, etc, etc. If you did not need to use your Game Controllers, you could even put your PS-4 or Xbox One in there.)

In that next room you would also put my Harmony Remote's "RF Extender." This tiny box will receive the RF control signals from my remote and control all devices. Of course, you'll need to connect the wires to speakers and the video to the TV.

Now your remote will control all ancillary devices from your remote. Control of the TV will be by IR directly from the remote to the TV, as it's in the same room.

I actually have all of my equipment in one room, but I still use that setup and include the TV in RF control. Why? I don't have to worry about pointing the remote at the TV or other components. In fact, I can walk out of the room with remote in hand and hit Pause or Off from the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere.

In it's simplest form a repeater just "repeats" what it sees (think 'whisper down the alley' without the mistakes). It doesn't care who makes the remote or even what the remote is telling the device to do.

As SaltiDawg mentioned there are fancier systems out there. His Logitech remote can use radio waves (RF) to communicate, which means it can pass through walls, like FM radio or WiFi. That's unlike IR (infrared) which is line of sight.

If I could carry the remote into other rooms, it would just expand the area to where I would have to search for it. I'd be spending half the day looking for it, although there's probably an app for that too. [lol]

Thank you, SaltiDawg and Mike, for the extra information. This is all new to me, as we're pretty simple in terms of our AV setup. Currently, the TV is in an armoire which holds our cable box, TV, VCR, and old DVD player (not Blue-Ray). We have no speakers or anything else hooked up, and we don't have HD. We simply want to be able to easily watch TV.

We are building a new home, and our setup will be different. The TV will be on the wall, and we will have a media cabinet to store our cable, TV, VCR, and DVD player. We just want to be able to watch TV easily.

At first, the idea of just using a repeater sounds good. And I like the idea of a low-cost solution. However, in our current home we find we have to be extremely close to get any of our remotes to work---and often have to go through some contortions to point the remotes exactly right to get the equipment to respond. Because of that and because our new home will have a considerably larger great room, the Harmonics remote system sounds good (just a little concerned about cost).. I assume that the remote sends an RF signal to the receiver, which converts it into an IR signal that goes to the various components? Is that done wirelessly or wired? If wireless, would it work to put the receiver on top of the media cabinet, with the components underneath in the cabinet (possibly on top of each other)? Does the Harmonics RF remote come in a kit with the IR extender and RF receiver? Is there a specific model you would recommend? I have been googling information, but not sure exactly what equipment will work and what won't for my needs.

After reading and responding to the comments, I started searching online to see exactly what I would need to set up with a Harmony remote and ir repeater/extender. I think this might be problematic for me, as the remote is expensive and, if I am understanding correctly, I'd also have to purchase a Harmony Hub, which is also expensive. Plus, I can't figure out exactly what all I would need to purchase to make our components work. It would be nice if they had a package containing everything, but it would probably be too much money in the end. I didn't realize that setting up our modest AV system would be so confusing--or maybe it's just me. Is the Harmony remote the only one that will enable switching channels, turning the TV on and off, etc. from a longer range. What we have now (Comcast remote + remotes for peripheral devices) seems truly limited and will be quite annoying when we move into our home with the larger great room.

"I assume that the remote sends an RF signal to the receiver, which
converts it into an IR signal that goes to the various components? Is
that done wirelessly or wired?"

Yes, RF from the remote to the Receiver (RF Extender.) The RF Extender can be inside the cabinet or outside. The IR from the RF Extender can be either wireless via the "blaster" feature or by individual wires from the RF Extender to each component.

You can goto the Harmony Account and actually configure your remote and individual devices... without actually buying the Remote.

I have had a Harmony 900 for years. (Now discontinued, I see.) The Hub you mention is for Smart Phone control, I believe. At the Logitech site all of the RF Remotes I see come with the RF Extender. Looks like 50 and on up.

Harmony operates on the basis of "Activities." Take "Watch VCR" as an example.

I walk into my Living room in the morning and find all components including the TV are Off. I pick up my Harmony Remote and see a list of "Activities" including "Watch VCR."

I push the button, "Watch VCR." The TV turns on and switches to the input from the VCR, the VCR turns on if you had a receiver for audio it would turn on the receiver and select VCR as the video input.

The Harmony remote will show the buttons for the VCR .... Play, Pause, Fast Forward, etc, etc. It will also control the volume of the audio, what ever the source.

In your case, the signal to the TV was IR from the remote to the TV... keep the remote pointed at the TV until it's on. The other components of yours are in a cabinet so the remote will communicate with them by sending a proprietary RF signal through the doors of the cabinet to the RF Extender sitting on a shelf inside. From there, the RF Extender will send IR control signals to each of your components.

If you now decided to watch Cable, you'd select the activity "Watch Cable." It will leave the TV on, tune the TV to the appropriate video and audio inputs, turn off the VCR, etc.

" Does the Harmonics RF remote come in a kit with the IR extender and RF
receiver? Is there a specific model you would recommend? I have been
googling information, but not sure exactly what equipment will work and
what won't for my needs."

The RF Extender is about the size of a pack of cigarettes - it contains both the RF receiver and the IR output device. It requires a (probably) 9 Volt power device to operate - similar to a smart phone charger.

I'd have to do some research re current models. You should visit Logitech and amazon and search RF Remotes....

There is at least on simpler method... you're on your own here. Essentially you have a little IR eye sitting on top of your cabinet. It has a wire that goes through a hole in your cabinet where another IR eye is located.

You point your IR Remote at the eye on top, it sees the IR and re-sends the IR through the wire into the cabinet where the inside eye blasts it out to all of the components in the cabinet. Inexpensive, however YMMV.

I have zero first hand experience with these "IR Repeaters."

Amazon IR Repeaters

Thank you, SaltiDawg. I really appreciate the thorough explanation of how to use the Harmony remote. It sounds like it would be clearly the best solution. The more I think about it, the more I realize how difficult it will be to try to do something as simple as change a station or change the volume when we will often be 15' away and not directly in front of the components. And that's without also factoring in the idea of the components being in a cabinet. Even if the components were out in the open, I don't think they would pick up a signal that wasn't straight in line and fairly close. So the Harmony remote using RF technology sounds much, much better. My concern is that I would not get the proper items to make that happen. Once I got the right things, I'm pretty sure DH and I could figure it out. Would Best Buy be a good place to go for information about what exactly I would need? I have had mixed results when going in with questions about computer components. I'm no computer genius, but I have often ended up knowing more than the person working at Best Buy. In this case, though, I'm totally inexperienced and could use some guidance about what all I'd need to purchase to put it together as you described.

As I suggested, logitech.com and amazon are a good place to get info... start at Logitech and look for RF Remotes. BestBuy sometimes has a really good price on Harmony remotes, but I've not had good results getting good salesperson help on Remotes. YMMV

Not sure I understand your concerns. IF you want to avoid having to use a half dozen remotes, there are any number of IR Universal Remotes. One remote will be able to control your TV and your DVR and your Cable, etc. These remotes are relatively inexpensive. Again, you would need to point them at the IR repeater eye and/or the TV IR "eye". You don't need to worry about being "straight in line" with any of the devices in your cabinet.

These remotes are usually quite robust and as long as you have them pointed in the general direction of the target IR eye, they'll work.

Not everyone likes the Harmonies, and I hope I have not come across as a "fan boy." I have used Harmonies for many years, probably on my fifth or sixth one, and I am happy. Did you goto the Logitech site and set up an RF Remote to operate your equipment? Pick any Model RF remote and go for it. If you buy a different model later, you'll simply change it at the site.

If you find a model that appears to be of interest, post it here. If it's a Harmony I'll take a look at it and give you my feedback. If you find a less expensive Universal Remote and IR Repeater, post those models here and I'll bet someone will help you evaluate.

Thank you so much SaltiDawg. Sorry if I read your previous post too quickly and missed the suggestion about looking on Logitech and Amazon. I have looked at Amazon, but quickly became confused about what exactly I wanted. I will try again, after reviewing your very helpful suggestions and explanations.

As far as my concerns, when I first came her I was just wondering how to use the peripherals (DVD/VCR/cable box) if they were in a cabinet behind glass doors. Since getting more information, my concern has shifted to being able to operate the TV (channels/volume) from a distance. In our new home, DH wants the TV over the fireplace. The cabinet will be next to the fireplace. The great room is about 19' deep, and the dining room is at the end of it in the opposite corner from where the media cabinet will be-so the distance from the dining room to the media cabinet will be over 20' and not a direct line of sight. DH often enjoys watching the news while eating dinner, and I know he will get totally frustrated if he can't control the TV functions while sitting at the table.

If I have to be closer to the cabinet for the DVD player or VCR player, no problem. We're pretty low-tech and have to get in the cabinet anyway to put in a DVD or VHS tape.

Bottom line: Just want to be sure we can communicate with the TV and Comcast box from a distance without direct line of sight.

I found a Harmony remote, with included hub, that might do what I need, but I'm still not certain. According to the description, the remote comes with a hub that receives RF signals from the Harmony remote and sends out IR commands (to TV, cable box, Roku, DVD, and VCR?). The link is at the end of my post.

It seems that if I placed the hub in the cabinet with the Roku, cable box, DVD, and VCR it would work to control those---although I might have to buy some IR emitters to plug into the hub (up to 2, according to Amazon's description) to reach all of the peripherals. However, how would that control the TV, since the TV isn't in the cabinet? Could I use one of the IR extenders and run it through the conduit in the wall from the hub to the TV? I read that you can get a stereo patch cable if the distance is longer than the cord included on the IR emitter. Then I should be able to control the TV and other things with the Harmony remote.

Does this sound correct?

A few other concerns: Is it hard to program the Harmony remote? It sounds like it can be done through my laptop---does it work on older DVD players and VCRs? Or is it only programmable for more up-to-date equipment? Finally, it mentions that you can use an app on your smartphone to control the TV with your smartphone. I am guessing this is optional and that we can just use the remote only. Is that true?

Again, thanks for your patience and for educating me on this topic.

Harmony Remote with Hub

Most IR remotes are quite robust. 20 feet straight line of sight should not be a problem. Because most are in fact so robust, frequently you get pleasant surprises. For example, IR will bounce off glass at some angles. Photos. pictures, windows, for example. As an example, I can stand behind my TV and point it at a picture hanging on the far wall and have the IR signal bounce back and control that TV!

Now that I said it, you really would need a good return policy such as to allow you to see what happens. I hope no one weighs in here and say IR is straight line of sight only. IT IS, however the transmitter (remote) is usually robust and scattering of the IR can yield some pleasant results. (I have never heard of interference form this effect at this frequency range.)

A quick look at Logitech's site suggested two RF remote candidates. One is like $139 and the other in the $300+ MSRP range but available for much less at amazon, bestbuy, etc.

I googled those two models and visited the cnet.com reviews of each. (I'm frequently not a fan of cnet reviews, but it's a good start. I also noticed a lot of incorrect answers at amazon.com to FAQs on each models.

No need to thank me each post, I'm interested in helping but feel you need some other folks to weigh in here as I am admittedly biased toward Logitech!

SaltiDawg, It doesn't seem like we have those robust remotes. In our current home, our table is set diagonally from the TV and cable box in one room, approximately 14 feet apart. DH is regularly exasperated because he cannot turn the TV on or off, or change the volume from 14 feet away. He usually has to get up, move to about 8 feet from the TV and cable box, and then he can execute those commands. Now, having said that, it seems that once he has made the connection he is usually (but not always) able to successfully change the station or volume from the full 14 feet away if he points the remote just right. With the longer distance, and furniture in between, I'm leaning toward the Harmony remotes.

Did you look at the link I included in my last post? Do you think that remote would work? It is $93 for the remote & hub, plus another $15 for an additional IR repeater, if needed. I'll keep looking online and hope I don't get duped by wrong information.

I do not see any link????

Strange, I can still see it at the bottom of the post (Harmony Remote with Hub). I'll try again here:

LINK

And I also found it at Best Buy, link here:

2nd LINK -- BEST BUY

It was indeed there... I missed it.

The linked to model is primarily a hub for use with a smart phone, with an oh by the way remote thrown in.

The system is limited to only three activities. I need more. The remote is not very well laid out as far as buttons go.

You said, "DVD player, VCR, Roku, etc." for your equipment.

You would want activities like WATCH CABLE, WATCH DVD, WATCH ROKU, WATCH VCR, etc, etc.

Also possibly , Watch OTA, Play PS-1, Play Xbox, Play Wii, Listen to Radio, etc, etc.

What I liked about the remote I linked was that it came with a hub and at least one IR extender. What I didn't like was that it was geared toward setting up your smartphone to use as a remote, and I have no desire to do that. My main concern would be to be able to operate the TV from a distance, without line-of-sight. If I could also run the Roku from a distance, that would be wonderful. Beyond that, if I'm going to use the DVD player or VCR, I would likely have to put in a DVD or VHS tape anyway, so don't entirely mind having to get it initially set up while I'm near the media cabinet and TV. However, if I can rewind or fast forward from a distance that would be a plus. As I said, my needs aren't very sophisticated.

Do you have another suggestion (model #) for a remote? Then I would think I would still need a hub to transfer to RF signal to IR, right? Just want to make sure I get everything I need to make it work.

Do you not also watch cable? How about OTA (Over The Air from a roof-top antenna or an attic antenna or a rabbit ears antenna?)

Oops, yes. Watch TV via cable box, no OTA. Normally, the TV is set up to watch TV via cable. Anything else we currently do requires juggling multiple remotes.

I do not think you will be happy with only three activities.

I would think your goal should be to put all remotes away in a drawer somewhere and be able to pick up one remote and watch a movie or cable offering or DVD or VHS or watch ROKU.

You should do what I did - Google the Model that you linked to and read reviews at Cnet, best buy, amazon, visit a Forum or Two, etc.

You don't want to rely on one source - me, for example. My sense is that you and your DH are finding this a little overwhelming. And it can be. Lot's of people have down rated Harmony because of their notion that set-up is too complicated. In every case I have read of it is the user not understanding or following instructions.

Did you go to the Logitech site and set up an account and program youe equipments and also the remote you are considering? You absolutely should do that. If you believe me when I say three activities only will not work for you, set up another remote with your equipments.

I didn't realize I could set up an account before purchasing equipment. I will definitely do that, as I think it will help to assure me that I am buying the correct equipment. And I do agree that it would be great to be able to use only one remote. I was just noting that if we weren't able to do so, we could cope with having to use more than one.

Last Sunday I said, "You can goto the Harmony Account and actually configure your remote and
individual devices... without actually buying the Remote."

I do wish you luck in sorting this out.

Just want to add that, in looking further, I did find the following remote (see link below). I haven't finnshed researching it yet, but it appears it will do what I want---and much more. It also costs much more than the other remote I was looking at.

The concern that prompted my first post here was simply being able to control turning on the TV, changing channels, and increasing or decreasing the volume of the TV when the cable box is in the cabinet, behind closed doors. My understanding is that I need an RF remote to accomplish that. The remote referenced at the bottom of this thread apparently will do this. It's also approximately $180 more than the first remote I found. So DH and I will have to determine whether it's worth laying out the additional dollars to decrease the number of remotes we need to use. Probably going to have to table this decision until we get further along building our home and see how many and how expensive unexpected expenditures we have.

I certainly don't expect you to make the decision for me, but can you confirm that the two Harmony remotes I have linked---one in this post and one in a post above---will enable me to communicate with at least some of my components within a cabinet with the RF remotes and the hub that comes with each of them?

LINK---Harmony Remote 915-000201

"My understanding is that I need an RF remote to accomplish that"

I linked to another option, IR Repeater System, above.

Yes, I did see that link with the Amazon link to IR repeaters. I think the reason, after reading a lot and googling a lot, that I am leaning toward the RF hub is that I would still need to be close enough and in line of sight with the remote to send signals to the repeater that forwards the signals on to the components in the cabinet. So, when I said that I understood "I need an RF remote to accomplish that," I meant to accomplish it from a distance without a clear line of sight to the TV and/or extender and/or components.

Sailaway, did you find a solution? Just got a new cabinet and would like to the put the devices inside. This thread has been very helpful!!

Yes, and it didn't involve buying anything new on our part. When we moved, Comcast brought new equipment, including the X1 remote (IR) which works from a fairly long range to control the box in the cabinet, as well as the TV. Didn't care about a lot of the features of the X1, such as voice control, but were happy to have the functionality at no extra cost or effort on our part.

I just called my cable provider. They have an IR repeater eye that plugs into my cable/DVR unit. They are sending it out at no charge. Thanks for the info!