I don't think so. After Lion update, my IR is no longer working. Tested on iTunes, OK. Tested in Front Row, OK. So, the IR was working before Lion update. Before installing FR on Lion, my IR was not working also.
Yes, you are right. Theefore I installed Front Row from a non-official package in order to test my remote. But, YES, I'm running Lion (10.7) and my IR is not working anymore along VLC
Same behavior for me. After upgrading from 10.1.6 to Lion, Apple Remote stopped work for VLC. Upgraded to 1.11.1, no success. Cleaned preferences, installed VLC again ... remote continues not working.