take the controller box out of the cabinet and put it on the coffee table or whereever. The IR signals from it will go thru the glass and should operate all your devices. The RF from the remote will get transmitted from anywhere in the house (apartment or whatever) be picked up by the controller and pass along Ir to your devices. The IR from the controller will also need fairly unimpeded "line of sight" to all your devices so don't put it behind a plant or something.
The remote (2117) also sends IR so while your actually in the room in front of the components don't worry so much about "aiming" at the controller, just "aim" at the devices, as usual.
Jim