Some questions about the sony stalk controller

I've read multiple posts of people who are using the sony stalk controller with their Empeg, and I started to get interested because I want to use the buttons on the Empeg unit itself as little as possible. I believe those would be the first to go when it comes to wear & tear.

The sonicblue website makes mention of two types, the RM2XS and the RM4XS. I can't find any info on them on the Sony site. What is the difference between them? Which one works best?

Also, will I need to install the tuner module to be able to use those remotes? I have such a module, no problem, but I have no need to install it yet : my empeg is connected via my Pioneer headunit, which has a tuner. I merely purchased the tuner module for future upgrading (read : another car). i don't want to install it unless I really have to. It makes no sense to have two tuners in your car.
Is there a way to make those stalk controllers work with the empeg unit without having to install the tuner module?

The sonicblue website makes mention of two types, the RM2XS and the RM4XS. I can't find any info on them on the Sony site.

You can get at least one of them at Crutchfield if you're in the US. I don't know the difference between the two.

Also, will I need to install the tuner module to be able to use those remotes?

Yes.

Is there a way to make those stalk controllers work with the empeg unit without having to install the tuner module?

Yes, but it requires building your own serial-port interface with a PIC controller and blowing an EPROM with code. Since you already have a tuner module, that's much easier.

You can get at least one of them at Crutchfield if you're in the US. I don't know the difference between the two.

True. In the meantime I found info on the RM4XS on their site. No mention of the RM2XS though. But since I don't live in the US it doesn't really matter.

it requires building your own serial-port interface with a PIC controller and blowing an EPROM with code. Since you already have a tuner module, that's much easier

Eh...point taken.

Hello,

I think RM4XS is a typo. Try RM-X4S. RM-X2S = older. Crutchfield has 'em for list price, and sounddomain.com has 'em considerably cheaper.

Search here for some links to pre-tuner Sony hookups. I'm in the same boat, but agree that having a vestigial tuner would be much less of a headache. Hey, I gotta user that tuner somewhere!

Jim