Ok, I've searched and just been completely confused on this. My wife and I just got a new TV stand which has cabinets enclosed, my PS3 will work and my Xbox 360 but I need my receiver and directv box to work. I've got a Panasonic plasma TH-50PZ80U so I guess I need one that's plasma ready or something?

I'm so lost and I really can't afford to shell out 200+ for a new remote and extender! Is there anything cheap that just receives the signal and sends it to the proper component? I have a 16 month old daughter so keeping the cabinets closed is a MUST.

This is the cabinet..
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk304/DextarRogue/EntertainmentStand.jpg

Hi

This is about $100, you might be able to find it cheaper on fleabay.
http://www.smarthome.com/8165.html

Tom

P.S. You might want to look into some type of fan to move some air around inside that cabinet :)

There is another called the HotLink Pro, avail from Amazon. I have not used or seen it, but it is less than $100 and has excellent reviews on Amazon as well as several that have commented if you call for support the owner/designer answers the phone.

Also, is there anywhere for that hot air to go while in that cabinet. Adding a fan only just moves hot air...

Whatever you get, make sure it is plasma friendly (which adds to the cost) or keep the receiver as far away from the display as possible. As far as solutions go, the one we use and works just fine seem to be out of your budget so I am not much help there...

Yeah, I plan to put one fan for pulling air in and two for sucking it out, on my to-do list :P

Do any of the universal remotes come with an IR extender? It's so hard to justify paying 100+ for something when I could just open the doors :(

This remote extender (http://www.summitsource.com/next-generation-remote-control-extender-athaaa-418-mhz-for-uhf-audio-video-tv-signal-converter-sb7aaa-lrrx-component-eye-emitter-ultimate-digital-wireless-rf-receiver-transmitter-part-athaaa-p-6009.html) works by replacing one of the batteries in your remote with the transmitter. You can then place the base station in your cabinet, on top of one of your components for example. If you're lucky (I was), both components that you're trying to control will be able to be 'flashed' by the base station even if not placed directly in front of the IR sensors of those components.

The kit comes with an IR emitter cable that can be placed on one component if necessary. If the base station can't be placed so that it flashes either component you can purchase a dual IR emitter cable (http://www.summitsource.com/dual-stickon-ir-emitter-head-component-sensor-repeater-infrared-cable-double-2-eye-tether-extender-blaster-flasher-for-around-the-house-tv-av-remote-control-extenders-sb7aaa-lrrx-part-athaaa-p-6755.html) allowing you to control both components.

I had the Hot Link Pro and it wouldn't work well with my 58" Panny plasma. I had to shield the IR receiver so much that I couldn't get a very reliable signal from my remote to my devices. The instructions say to put it behind your TV and let the IR bounce off the wall from the remote to the eye, the problem is that the IR noise was also bouncing off the walls. They also suggest using two receiving eyes with a >58" plasma, but I felt like I was fighting a losing battle. I sent it back and went the RF route with a Harmony 890. In my case an RF extender was worth the money over an IR extender. You also get the benefit of not having to point the remote at anything.

I appreciate all the help guys, it seems as though the easiest solution is to just get a Harmony 890 remote.. I found one for 200 so I'll just wait a bit and pick one of those up.. I don't want to spend 80 dollars on an IR extender to have problems with it or have it not work like I want. Thanks again for all the help.

Sounds like what I did. I ordered the extender and then returned it and sold my 880 on craigslist for $90. Made the switch come to about $50 more for something that works a lot better.