PC-based IR Remote Control

[Eddie_Brock]

Greetings, I'm curious if anyone already has attempted to do something that I've been brainstorming for awhile.  I would like to hook up my PS2 (with GunCon 2s) to my arcade cabinet for some light-gun shooters, and was thinking on the most automated way to do it...

Ideally, it would be nice to extend my TV's IR receiver near the PC, then use a Serial / Parallel / USB Infra-Red transmitter to emit the codes for my tv to automatically change the input. This could then be executed on the PC via a script, and run through my front end program.

I considered building a cheap IR Transmitter, such as the ones found here: http://www.lirc.org/transmitters.html. However I quickly realized that I would need to receive the IR signals from my TV Remote, and "copy" them to the computer for later use.
I then discovered another option (below), which would efficiently receive, and transmit the IR codes for my TV.
http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/USB_Infrared_Toy. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any premade ones available, as they are currently backordered.

I guess that I am just looking for feedback. Has anyone done anything similar? If so, How? Is it a good idea, (or not?) and Why?
Any information or feedback is appreciated. 

[BobA]

USB universal ir

[Eddie_Brock]

Thanks, I think I came across this in my initial search but discounted it due to it's price. If it indeed does everything, plus has compatable software, it's not such a bad deal... The IRToy is $20, if there's supply. 

[Eddie_Brock]

Since no one else has chimed in with other options, I'd like some more info on the UIRT.

How well does it interface with the PC, and is it possible via FrontEnd /  AutoHotKey Script to automatically change an input on TV and back again at close?

If you currently use it, are you happy with it?