Re-using IR Decoder Chip

[Just Another Joe <address@xxxxxxx>]

I have an old VCR which doesn't work very well mechanically any more,
which I was thinking of gutting, and using as a case for the Ocelot and
some associated circuitry (e.g. roZetta).  The VCR's power supply,
together with some 5V regulators, could be used to power the circuitry
(and perhaps the Ocelot as well, I haven't determined that yet).  And,
the existing IR sensor on the front panel could be connected either to
the Ocelot or to the roZetta.  Perhaps one might even make use of the
front panel LCD.

The Ocelot is, to me, excellent for IR output, but its IR input is too
general purpose.  For my application, a dedicated decoder would be
better, and it doesn't matter what code set the decoder is for, as my
remote control can learn the codes if they are not already in its
database.  So, it makes no difference whether the codes originally
represented, for example, Play, Pause, Stop, etc.  All that matters is
that I can use the codes in macros on the remote control, and the Ocelot
can be programmed to act upon those codes.

Now to the meat of the question:  could the IR decoder chip in the VCR
be used for this purpose, to provide some already-decoded information to
a serial port (or a pin) on roZetta?  Given the make and model of the
VCR, is there a way I could find out what IR decoder chip it uses and
then find a spec. sheet on that chip?  Is this a workable idea?

--
Just Another Joe        Remove .windows to reply.
Why be politically correct, when you can be right?