Hi,

Use a IR receiver. Make sure you use a IR receiver using the same
carrier frequency used by your remote control.

Example of IR receiver: Siemens SFH 506

Datasheet:
http://www.geocities.com/uirr/siemems-sfh506.pdf

More about IR Remote Control Theory:
http://www.sbprojects.com/knowledge/ir/ir.htm

Best regards,

Luciano

* * *

Just for fun or to test a IR remote control:

Beam with the IR remote in a digital camera or a cellular
phone with camera and on the LCD of the camera you will see
the light pulses. (CCD are sensible to infrared light).