Let me clear this up real quick. I just went through the same thing. If you want to buy the stuff and be able to return it you can buy x10 equip at radio shack and mernards. The radio shack catalog has a bunch of things in it and descriptions to read. They make three way x10 switches for you to use in your basement. If you use your sony remote you will need to use the code 2005 on you lighting present, and need a ir543 to control your switches. The IR543 will recieve the IR from your sony remote and sent its signal through the walls wireing to your switches its that easy. You don't need any transponder modules or anything.