if the IR receiver is supported with a driver and you have an app that can interpret the codes from the remote then it will work.
i use such a device with
http://openelec.tv/ with one of the zotec ion2 platforms.
since it runs linux, and probably a similar kernel to mageia then that support is probably in mageia.
if this is a pc just for running as an entertainment device then consider openelec over mageia ,
so that you can spend more time watching films on that entertainment centre than you spent setting it up.
because it takes less than 10 mins to install and have a film/music/pictures showing with openelec with working remote control.
it also takes less that 5 seconds to boot into its window manager with the front screen ready to go.
then spend all that freetime playing with mageia on your desktop/laptop.
regards peter