The IR flashers on the unit I linked to use 3.5mm plugs. The MRF-350 also uses 3.5mm plugs. An IR Balster is the big area on the front of something like the MRF-350.

I would get the MX-650 working and use RF. There wouldn't be any extra wiring. There is a learning curve to programming the 650 (or any remote) but once you get started it's pretty easy. You can not use a PC to program the 650. You can set up macros so that the power on button will turn everything on and go to your mostly used device page. Power off can turn everything off and take you back to the main page. Any buttons on the Main page can be set to turn on another component (DVD for example), change output of AV receiver and goto the device page.

I'm sure you have a manual for it but in case you don't here is a link:

[Link: universalremote.com]