JS, the answer to Q#1 is yes, and Q#2 is I don't know. Is there an IR input? If not, try an IR repeater. Personally, I'd return the digital box, and tell them to stuff it where the IR doesn't shine.

About the satellite concern:

Circuit City is selling the Philips DSR6000R TiVo Dual Tuner satellite unit for $99 ea!, a dual-LNB dish for a penny more, and $5/yr. ext. warr. (I got a 5-yr warranty on two tuners and the dish itself for $45). I bought two, and will get two more (4 TVs in the house) this week.

A 3-in/4-out or 3-in/8-out multiswitch is available from PartsExpress.com, as well as local places, like R.S. or C.C. This will let you tune in two channels (rec. one/watch one or rec.two/watch a recording). Remember that a dual tuner needs two RG-6 feeds, so treat it like two receivers.

You don't have to provide every TV with a receiver if you don't want to. Two (or more) can share a tuner with IR extenders and A/V wireless senders.

Larry