An IR receiver can detect bursts of infrared light sent by a common TV remote controller, and then output a pattern of high/low signals to a [MCU] I/O pin. Source: Parallax.com

SONY TV Remote

1 = 0..........2 = 1..........3 = 2..........4 = 3..........5 = 4
6 = 5..........7 = 6..........8 = 7..........9 = 8..........0 = 9

ENT = 11..........Digital/Analog = 13..........Guide = 14

Channel Up = 16..........Channel Down = 17..........Volume DN = 17

Volume Up = 18..........Mute = 20........... = 29

Return = 35..........TV/Video = 37..........Right Arrow = 51

Left Arrow = 52..........Sleep = 54..........Display = 58

Freeze = 92..........Menu = 06..........Picture = 100

Enter = 101..........Up Arrow = 116..........Down Arrow = 117