use TSOP-1738 ir sensor to detect ir signal. It will detect a 38kHz modulated ir signal only. You can make the transmitter using a 555 astable multivibrator designed at 38kHz .
You could make the circuit in simple way by using some flip flops , counters etc or could make it more efficient using microcontrollers.
Using a microcontroller you could even controll it using your TV REMOTE!!
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If you want to make it via microcontroller , then inform me. I will give the full source code and circuit diagram . I had designed it few days ago.