Two Tv and Two Uverse Box setup in same room

I have had 2 tvs and 2 cable boxes in the same room for many years.  Some of those years were with different cable companies and I had only one remote to operate the cable box.  In those situations I developed techniques that were about 80% successful by aiming at one box while hiding it from the other. My current set-up of 2 Uverse boxes works effectively 100% of the time.  What makes it work is that the 2 tvs both have IR blasters to control the boxes to which they are connected and both tvs are RF remotes so that the signal cannot be received by the box directly.  The extra benefit to this arrangement is when I'm watching the tvs where one is muted and the other has sound.  In that scenario I can use the Uverse remote and switch which tv is muted and which tv has sound by pressing the Uverse mute button.

@Mentor, I am not familiar with IR Blasters, is this an after market device or did you acquire from AT&T? I will be okay with sound for the TVs because it really isn't needed.  My issue is the changing and controlling of the Uverse box.  If you can share model and where you acquired the IR Blaster that would be great.  A description of you connections/setup would be very helpful. Also I am assuming these hook up through the USB slot on the Uverse box?  Thanks for your feedback will be looking for your response.  Hope you have the time, thanks again!

IR blasters are a rather generic piece of equipment that is usually supplied by the manufacturers whose devices have infrared (IR) outputs.  These devices are also called infrared emitter extenders.  I've never had to buy them since they have been an included accessory for the many devices that use them. For this strategy to be used the tvs must use radio frequency (RF) remotes and have ir blaster outputs.  The owner's manuals from each tv will indicate an IR blaster output and if it does it should have included them with the tv.  The IR blaster itself has a 3.5 mm plug at one end and a LED bulb at the other that transmits the infrared light.  The blaster is plugged into the tv and the LED at the other end is placed in front of the IR receiver of the Uverse TV box.  The remotes that I use to control the tvs and the Uverse receivers are the tv's RF remotes.  The remotes have been set up to control both the tvs and the Uverse receivers and since the signals are sent to the tv as RF signals they can only be received by the Uverse boxes through the discreet signals of the IR blasters.  If you are lucky enough to have the appropriate tvs that meet these requirements, but don't have the infrared emitter extenders (IR blasters) they can be purchased at various stores like Sears or Walmart and cost about $5 or $6.

I realize that I am rather fortunate to have the set-up that I have which allows me to do what I have explained in a rather lengthy post and that your mother and father in-law might not be so lucky.  Going out and buying the appropriate equipment would be rather extravagant.  When I have in the past had to use one remote to control 2 separate, but identical cable boxes I placed the boxes as far apart as I could. This might require longer cables to be able to connect them to the tvs.  The other part of this effort is trial and error.  In much the same way that you hid one of the boxes in a cabinet you need to find a way to keep the remote's signal hidden from one receiver while reaching the other.  By holding the remote over the right side of the sofa so that only the receiver on the right can see it and then holding the remote over the left side of the sofa so only the receiver on the left can see it.  Remember that if the walls in the room are light colored the signal will bounce, so aim the remote down somewhat  as well.  In the right conditions and with some practice you should be able to achieve success over 80 percent of the time.

@Mentor, Thanks for all of the good advice.  Will keep experimenting.