Programmable remote control

Can anyone recommend a programmable remote and IR receiver? I’m running XXHighEnd on a Win 7 PC and need to program the remote with commands like alt-u (volume up), alt-d (volume down), alt-n (next track), etc. These commands need to be keyed into the remote somehow; it can't learn them from another remote. My PC has no IR receiver, so I need to buy one too, preferably USB.

I know how to control the PC using remote desktop from my macbook and ipad, but in this case I’m looking for a simple remote to change the volume and track that I can leave next to my listening chair at all times.

Thanks for any help!