Yes you can plug it in the microphone jack with a few extra components.

Here what schematic I have found on LIRC's webpage (by Matthias Ringwald):

As far as I know most IR signals are Manchester coded:

• high to low transition means 1
• low to high transition means 0

Or the other way round because there are two conventions.

Be sure to check SB-Projects for information regarding different IR protocols.

Yes you can plug it in the microphone jack with a few extra components.

Here what schematic I have found on LIRC's webpage (by Matthias Ringwald):

As far as I know most IR signals are Manchester coded:

• high to low transition means 1
• low to high transition means 0

Or the other way round because there are two conventions.

Be sure to check SB-Projects for information regarding different IR protocols.

To view the signal on your PC I recommend Christian Zeitnitz's Scope and to record it try Audacity.