IR Hardware not detected.

Hi. I've always used a wireless keyboard for controlling my media center htpc. Now I want to connect my set top box to media center. I get the message 'IR Hardware Not Detected':


What exactly does this mean? I'm guessing that media center needs a way to control the channels on the set top box, so what hardware do i need exactly? Do I only need to get an IR Blaster or do I need a receiver/remote combo as well? Or maybe just the receiver and blaster? How exactly is this hardware connected? I don't need the remote (I like using the wireless keyboard). Also, do I need any added software for this? I haven't been able to find a complete tutorial on this subject. Please let me know, thanks.

Quick definition of IR Reciever: An infrared receiver, or IR receiver, is hardware that sends information from an infrared remote control to another device by receiving and decoding signals. In general, the receiver outputs a code to uniquely identify the infrared signal that it receives. (Thanks google!)

If your looking for a multimedia device to use as a settopbox, I would reccomend xb1. I would insure that the media center has access to an output and input feed. So if you dont currently have a reciever/remote combo (or some other varient) that can it communicate with device you need one. Start there. Good luck!