An RF capable remote control and base station is probably the best solution. You can either use the front IR blasters on the base station if it can be located inside the cabinet near the equipment or you can use emitters that attach to the base station and are placed near the equipment (or taped over the IR eye of the device). See
http://www.bluedo.com for the Home Theater Master MX series remotes as an example.
There are other kluges that can work too, like IR sensors that plug into the IR In port of the device (if it has one) and an eye that can be placed outside the cabinet.
