This circuit complements the remote controls with which practically all consumer electronics devices are equipped: a receiver which can operate with a wide range of infrared transmitters.Given the information on remote controls that appeared in the March and April 2001 issues of Elektor Electronics, the final remaining step is to build a genuinely universal multi-standard infrared receiver. Using this, a remote controlled system can be constructed using practically any readily-available transmitter, and remote controls that would otherwise be scrapped can be given a new lease of life. Also, the infrequently-used buttons (such as the automatic programming buttons on a TV remote control), can have a new function and be used for example to control the room lighting. Unfortunately, remote controls that transmit using ‘flash’ mode cannot be used, owing to the way the infrared receiver works internally.