Are you completely sure it doesn't have some buttons hidden behind a panel on the front somewhere? First thing to try, press all over all the front panels and see if any click open!
Also check behind - there might be some kind of switch there, even if tiny.
Next, try to get a "universal remote" which will support your DVR.
If all that fails, unfortunately it's not so simple as bypassing the IR receiver, it needs to be given some control codes from somewhere.