user26005: I have a Vishay TSSP77038 IR receiver that I would like to read the output of. It is connected as shown in the picture - Vs to 5V, GND to GND and the output to a pin on the Arduino.
My problem is that the reading is constantly low (it is active low so says it is receiving a IR signal), even when i completely cover the sensor or I am in a dark room. Can someone please tell help? Thanks a lot in advance :) 

user10394: Gerben is correct it looks like you need a pull up resistor so that the pin is high unless the receiver drives it low.
I found this, which was the closest to useful information I found. Have a look at the proximity sensor section, it is similar to what you are using.
You'll want to know a value, I haven't got a clue.  I use 4.7K for I2C pull ups. It's probably easier to start high (weaker) and work your way down, because if you put a 100K resistor in and the signal is low, then the resistor is too strong and you need a smaller one.

26005: <p>I have a Vishay TSSP77038 IR receiver that I would like to read the output of. It is connected as shown in the picture - Vs to 5V, GND to GND and the output to a pin on the Arduino.</p>

<p>My problem is that the reading is constantly low (it is active low so says it is receiving a IR signal), even when i completely cover the sensor or I am in a dark room. Can someone please tell help? Thanks a lot in advance :) <a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/5D2t9.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/5D2t9.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
 10394: <p>Gerben is correct it looks like you need a pull up resistor so that the pin is high unless the receiver drives it low.</p>

<p>I found <a href="https://www.pololu.com/docs/0J63/all" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this</a>, which was the closest to useful information I found. Have a look at the proximity sensor section, it is similar to what you are using.</p>

<p>You'll want to know a value, I haven't got a clue.  I use 4.7K for I2C pull ups. It's probably easier to start high (weaker) and work your way down, because if you put a 100K resistor in and the signal is low, then the resistor is too strong and you need a smaller one.</p>
