Adding a Meridian G12 to a 218 (to use with MSR2) seems to be a rather expensive add-on compared to cheaper third-party IR blasters.

What alternatives are utilised by others?

Not an Actor, nor married to Jamie-Lee Curtis.

#1: DSP5200SE|DSW.2|218|210|506.2|504
#2: Prime/PSU|SOtM sMS-200 Mini NEO SE|Focal Stellia
#3: Other stuff