IR software & hardware basics

[flotulopex]

I tried (only receiver - not emitter) this way up to now:
- no direct light from outside;
- incadescent lamp about 1 meter away from the IR phototransistor;
- used two different remotes (TV and one for home-lightning);
- did not program any carrier frequency - just looking for any kind of signal.

How should I setup my system to make valid tests?

In fact, what distance should I expect? Is it 30 centimeters, is it 3 meters, is it more?

Since my TV and other equipments can be controlled over 5 meters, my assumings are that the remote I use to make my tests is powerfull enough to make my phototransistor to react at such distances. I may be wrong...