Karen, we have a tv in kitchen that has a little infrared transceiver from box that we keep in wiring closet. There is a coax through the crawl space all the way to the kitchen. Tell the installer that you want "infrared over coax."
You could probably put the receiver in your pantry or a cabinet and get to your tv.
As for price rises; I wonder too. I will be looking for specials in about a year.
