Ok Daxx

Sounds like we need to actually get a confirmed answer on your circuit so that you can start narrowing down the field of where the problem may be.

Grab hold of a couple of LED infr-red Diodes. Set it up in a simple circuit with a switch and resistor. Get the micro to poll the pin and send it out to the serial port, or whatever you are using to monitor the output. Then, when the switch is closed, the output should be different to when it is opened. If not, then it sounds like you have a problem. This gets rid of the remote controls that you are using and gives you a known bit stream.

You will also have to find out about the detector that you are using. Perhaps there are datasheets on the internet. I have just look at the Radio Shack CD, and I cannot find that part number. Can you confirm that the part number is 273 138.

Hopefully by breaking this issue into smaller chunks and testing, you will see where the problem resides.