Assuming you actually use the Mac's remote video abilities. Most I have known during that era rarely if ever used the IR remote as more than a novelty. A piece of tape of the sensor solved the problem quite nicely.
Apple was definitely ahead of its time. Today's Mac IR port has a myriad of uses, the most important of which being the iTunes feature, which is not only practical but useful. In the mid-90's few were watching TV on their Macs. One could do it, but didn't know anyone who actually did it, much less used the remote to control functions. I suppose one could control the system volume with the CD-ROM once opened and playing, however, in those days computers were mostly not thought of that way. Besides, a loud fan blowing constantly kind of spoils the mood.
Sounds like the video extension could be modified to allow random channel access, which is good news. Wonder why Apple never developed it? Probably for the reasons mentioned above. Still I would be curious to know if a third party driver compatible with Apple's video system might have made use of random channel access.