Heya,
I didn't want to hijack Dave Anderson's thread on this topic, but I am installing my system remote from my TV and viwing area around a corner in a closet. I was planning to use an rf system although I have to admit that I do not truly understand how they work. I assumed that the RF reciever, which would be placed near the tv, was hard wired to a transmitter near my equiptment that then broadcasts an IR signal to my av reciever and other inputs including digital cable box.
What I am wondering is will I find similar problems to what Dave is experiencing with this set-up? I know that I am not experienced enough to try to install emitters in my equipment...
Thanks in advance for mitigating the headaches that I am sure are still to come over all of this =).
Gratefool1

If your talking about the 'pyramid' looking set, the IR reciever goes on the TV wich converts it to RF, is sent to the RF reciever (placed with the equipment to be controled)and then translated back to IR.

Some times these work great ! Other times, not so great. It's simple to set up to see if it will work. Just keep your reciept in case it doesn't.

There are two units in a typical IR extender based on RF technology. The terminology can get a bit confusing because each unit is both a transmitter and a receiver.

You point your remote control at the RF transmitter (which is an IR receiver) and it then converts the IR signal into an RF signal for wireless transmission to the RF receiver. There is no hard-wired connection between these two units. The RF receiver then converts the signal back into IR. What the RF receiver then does with this IR signal depends on circumstances.

The Powermid RF receivers (i.e. IR transmitter) contain a so-called 'blaster' or 'flood' IR emitter, so that you can simply place the RF receiver on the wall facing the kit to be controlled.

However, when you have your kit hidden in a closet as you do, then the RF receiver would normally retransmit the IR signal via individual IR emitters attached to each of your items of equipment. The Powermid system I used briefly had a pair of stick-on emitters that plugged into the side of the RF receiver for just this purpose.

I can't say if you will hit problems, because I found that the Powermid system seemed to work ok with some of my AV equipment but was unreliable with others. You might be lucky, so give it a try. As Pilgram said, keep the receipt - and warn the supplier in advance that you intend to return it if it doesn't meet your needs.

If the RF system does not reliably control your kit when the IR emitters are mounted externally, then I can see no reason why it would work any better if the emitters were inside the case - so it is irrelevant that you lack the confidence to do this. Internal mounting of emitters is only for reasons of aesthetics and to avoid the possibility that they may eventually fall off the front panels.

Again, thanks guys =)