I'll assume you wanted the IR explanation. I plug the Iguanaworks USB IR transceiver (IRT) into the Linksys router. I actually plug it into a USB hub/card reader which then plugs into the router. The router is running a popular Linux/GNU derivative called OpenWRT. The IRT comes in three flavors. The versions I have allow me to plugin transmitter extension cables. I then point the extenstion cable LEDs at my TV and HD DVR. My receiver is very fancy schmancy, so I actually talk to it via telnet over ethernet. That's the hardware setup on the server side.

On the software side, long story short, the router is running LIRC with my driver extenstions for the IRT. I've posted these details on the OpenWRT forum under the same handle, daperl. I then have a Python remote control client that runs everything; complete with sleep timer.

If you were interested in the router-as-music-server, I could comment on that also. Then I could mention one of my other favorite gadgets: The Turtle Beach Amigo USB sound card. But I secretly crave his big brother that also has digital in.

Oh, and the IRocks USB hub/card reader with SDHC support rocks, but I think it's out of print and probably hard to find.

Did I mention that I love USB.