IR LED questions, need help!!

Hello everyone, I have started looking into integrating an IR LED into a design. Flashlights from SF and insight usually state the output of their IR LEd in mW or mW/sr. Is there a way to convert between the two? Also, how can i "see" the beam from an IR LED without night vision goggles and is there a way to measure it i guess? I think i'm getting lost in all the information, any help or advice on choosing IR LEDs would be much appreciated.

thx!

video cameras are sensitive to IR, at least much more sensative than your eyes are.
of course just like your eyes you can burn the chip, but to see what your doing, almost any video camera would work. you can use a simple remote to test as that isnt likly to fry your video.
a cheap web cam, or a digital still camera might work also, they use the same basic technology.

then there used to be "cards" that you could aim IR at, and they would show up visably. i thought i seen them at the radioshack, but a search didnt find them
http://www.anchoroptics.com/catalog/product.cfm?id=390
(mabey this is one)

I use the cam on my cell phone for testing IR remotes..

Cheers
Adam