If you have to ask, you won't be able to make it happen unless the software to do so already exists.

i've done this using the sound card, as have others, so there is documentation for doing it that way. also, there's at least one instructables.com project using the serial port, if you still have such a thing.

offhand i dont know of any projects using USB receivers. presumably someone would have to write their own driver, which requires major skillz.

>>1010427
You can decode IR from a remote using arduino and the IR sensor. Costs less than 3$.

>>1011886
or you can always get a raspberry pi

Not unless a) The remote acts as a IrDA device b) it offloads the signal processing to the CPU c) the controler and DSP can be reprogrammed.
(a) is rare as shit, (b) and (c) are outside your ability.
Either do the soundcard thing or buy a dongle designed for it.
Or use WiFi/Bluetooth and a smartphone app.

>>1010427

Yes.

I'd do it for five grand, but not a penny less

>>1011886
This. Pretty simple and super cheap. Buy arduino clone and rip the sensor out of some old dvd or whatever.

>>1011887
...but why?

>>1011887
That's really overkill and more of a hassle than an arduino.

http://www.lirc.org/irda.html