what are you guys doing for rooms like master beds where there is a tv on the wall, and stb in closet or somewhere hidden? i have 2 rooms in this one house that are going to have just a cabvle box? ir repeater???? i hate them, they never work. and i feel urc mx series and a mrf350 is too much for that? what are your thoughts, especially when the mrf260 never works....so i hear?

TIA gents

The DirecTV genie is one approach. DirecTV RF control is another. The cost for the URC remotes for these solutions is... zero.

Don't be ashamed or embarrassed to use DirecTV remotes instead of programmables. DirecTV remotes are relatively easy to learn to use by feel, have ALL the buttons you need, and work reliably. Their only drawback is that the RC71 (I think), that's used with the clients, has those dumb toggle lever volume and channel change buttons; and the old remotes cannot be used with the newest tiny receivers.

please argue on this....

I understand that it may not be your first choice, I also prefer an RF remote instead.

But if you think that "they never work", it's either because you don't use good ones, or don't know how to install them...

In the situation you described, I would be more than comfortable to install an IR repeater, a GOOD one like Xantech or Speakercraft...

We use mainly Speakercraft for over 12 years and they are nothing but rock solid.

Agreed. The only issue I have ever had with Speakercraft IR kits are with some Sat Boxes and Uverse. I have been using Xantech Dinky Link for the past couple of years with zero issues. With that said, I use them very seldom as I try to sell the URC remote/RF when I can, but as you pointed out it sometimes is overkill when it is just a Cable box and nothing else.

I would advise against the MRF260. If you are going to have them spend the money on a RF solution, don't go with one that is prone to interference. The MRF350 is only $100 more and in the long run will be much more reliable.

Can you please post the link to the directions that shows how to use the DirecTV remote to work with a cable box?

When it is only one device that needs to be controlled, we have had good look with the Next Gen ATH-418 RF remote extenders. Much cheaper than a full IR system if you are trying to hit a lower budget. They make a 418 version and a 433 version. Be sure to choose the one that will not interfere with any universal remotes in the house.

AudioPlex stealth kits and now we have been using a russound IR repeater kit.

I agree, as long as you use the CORRECT one most of them just work w/o problem

The DirecTV site has instructions and Live Chat. Also, 800-DirecTV has tech support. The on-screen remote setup has the instructions, too. Set it to control the STB via RF.

customer has a cable box.. highly unlikely DTV will support it.

OP .. get a xantech DL85 receiver, power supply, CB12 and a 233D .. they are very reliable and cost effective for this application IMO.

pesci wrote stb in the first sentence and in the thread title. Responding about DirecTV is appropriate as it's controllable and it's an stb.

Yes, he said later that he had a cable box, but he can control "just a stb" if he has a DirecTV RF-controllable stb.

Better questions/requests for info get better responses. It's always been that way.

Fact is he mentioned he has a cable box, so no, the response about DirecTV was not correct. You ALWAYS ask for all the info, and he gave it to you. You ignored it and answered about a different product. In this case, you were incorrect.

Sonance FSMR1. I have a near perfect track record using these.

If it's a directv STB, I'd use the RF. Possibly RF depending on the provider if not directv. 

I regularly use MRF260s without issue. I think the folks that have trouble with them tend to be in areas with higher RF interference. This is just my take on it. I have lots of MRF250s in the field that work as well. That's why I think it depends on your area whether you have success or not. The 260 is a big step up in quality, however over the 250.

Par for the course.

TV and cable box only? MX-350 and MRF 260. Programmed with macros takes me about 10 min. RF is reliable as long as you don't put the basestation right on top of the cable box.....