ir remote question
 

I was wondering about a product like the StreamZap PC Remote ( as seen http://www.amazon.com/Streamzap-USBI...2599518&sr=8-1
).

my question is since this has a usb receiver, does it require you to use the remote that comes with the device, or can you use any ir remote?

Usually you can use any remote EXCEPT you have to program in the codes. The general topic you are looking for lirc(Linux Infrared Remote Control).

Some very simple IR receivers can be used with LIRC with almost any remote. Other IR receivers are very specific to the IR protocol for which they are designed.

I've answered enough Streamzap questions in RemoteCentral and Hifi-remote that I ought to remember whether that IR receiver can handle other protocols. But I forget. You might find some answers searching those forums:
http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboard/forums.cgi
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/index.php

My best guess / half-remember is the Streamzap IR receiver will only work with its own protocol, and you may be better off finding some other IR receiver. I assume there is some reason you don't want to use a simpler serial port IR receiver (most often used with LIRC).