I want the 890 with RF since my coffee table get in the way of IR commands. I was thinking I could mount the RF transmitter to the coffee table to "forward" the IR commands. Does the transmitter need to be wired or can I battery power it?

Also, what kind of angles/distances will the transmitter work at? I would rather not use the sensor eyes option for cosmetic reasons, but I may not have another option. Function may prevail.

Thanks.

The transmitter is wired. You may be able to rig something up from Radio Shack to battery power it, but it would fail your cosmetic requirements.

You can hide the RF transmitter since the 890 does not need line-of-sight between the remote and the base. Just hide the base and run the IR emitters to your component's IR receiving eye. The wires are generally ran under the component and come up and stick to the IR receiver. You would hardly see them if you take your time and do it right. You could also rig it so that the IR emitters aren't attached, but near the component to be small IR flashers. Some people have luck with them right below the component.