Do you have an old TV lying around? Want to do something fun with it? Are you hanging around radio shack all day and cant find anything to do there? (get a life *ahem*)
Then pull out those screwdrivers, or... wallets, because there is an interesting use for them!

Step 1: Parts: the Easy Part

N-P-N transistor
Infrared phototransistor
9V battery
LED
2 yel,vio,brn resistors

Simple eh!

Step 2: Assemble

First get the phototransistor, disasemble the tv (after its disconnected, and youve hit the power button a few times to discharge the capacitors) the infrared reciver will usually be near the buttons and looks like an led.
i will give a schematic and for advanced viewers, instructions

Step one connect the infrared phototransistor to the NPN so it will amplify it
connect the led to the transistor so the amplified current will flow through the led
(remeber to use resistors)

Step 3: Grab Your Tv Remote!

Connect power and aim your remote at the infrared phototransistor and hit the power button! Now you can see the behavior of your remote!

Step 4: Extra: Other Uses

Know when there is too much infrared waves in the area (the led will glow like mad!)
there are various experiments to try with this eg point a different red LED at it and see if makes infrared waves, how about a flashlight?
This was just a fun experiment to do when your bored and has no actual usage and if it does its by coincidence i apologize for your wasted time XD