Try to update your NUC to the latest BIOS version (this may require Windows) - Intel has quite a history of screwing up IR. IIRC a BIOS update about half a year ago solved that on the gen7 models.
Also check with "ir-ctl -r" if your NUC receives any IR signals at all (you should get some "pulse" and "space" messages if you press a button).
Plus try placing the IR transmitter / hub very close to the NUC. IIRC there were also reports that the sensitivity of the IR receiver on some NUCs was very bad.
so long,
Hias