No Kinect - Use IR out without separate blaster

EDIT: You could get an IR extension cable: https://beta.support.xbox.com/help/hardware-network/oneguide-live-tv/use-external-ir-with-xbox-one

Original Post:

The Xbox One S and X models have the Infrared Blaster built in, as Microsoft decided to make Kinect an optional accessory.

Since the original Xbox One initially came bundled with Kinect, the console didn't need an additional IR Blaster built in. The Kinect had an IR emitter already for the depth measuring, so it made sense to put the IR blaster into Kinect.

So without Kinect, the original Xbox One can't control your A/V equipment.

There's a spot for an additional IR Blaster on the back of the xbox, that won't even work without the kinect?

It's not so much the actual camera seeing you it's more to do with the IR blaster on the Kinect and the IRs on the controller being out of sight. This is the way the One determines controller 1, 2, 3 and 4...even with 1 controller the Kinect likes to keep
it in view of the IR blaster.

The Kinect is an IR blaster.

Yes the Kinect is an IR Blaster