I have a FLIRC USB receiver connected to my Media PC running Linux. This kinda does in hardware what LIRC does in software; you can map remote control buttons to keys and it looks just like a HID ...
Interface for remote control of CamillaDSP using a FLIRC USB infrared receiver or remote keyboard. - daverz/camilla-remote-control ...
If you've dabbled with setting up a home media center, you've no doubt come to appreciate XBMC, the absolute best open source media player application available. And if you've used XBMC for any length ...