IR usually works fine but you either have to crack the device open to hide it or you have to look at the it bug forever.

Exlink IP CEC are usually a more solid way to control things but there are often limitations like boo ON command or no volume control etc.. But...IMO...at the end of the day a TV with discrete commands for IR is just fine. Obviously if you have a more sophisticated control system and you are tracking States then IR isn't the best choice.