Specifically, would a North American head unit be able to control either the KMD-D401 (European 3+1MDLP changer) or the RJ-480 (Japanese 3+1MDLP changer)? The RJ-480 might be cheaper to get...

Nobody???

IMO...doubt it would work.

since what ever north american headunit you have prolly does not have the capability for Mini Disc controlling features.

concerning the different regions...its mini disc and cd, its the same everywhere...only the programming for the languages and radio frequency are different.

the main reason mini disc in North American aren't so popular, is that there isn't a high demand for it. no one wants to record music anymore from a radio. We are all stuck on CD's, but in other countrys like japan most Automobiles. come stock with a mini disc headunit, kind of the new age tape player in a sense.

alot of stereo people will tell you, that mini disc is a Sony Flop in the USA. big mistake to try to sell it. since they are probably loosing more money than they spend on making the changers and controllers and headunits.

however it would be a good try

The reason why I want some confirmed report is that it seems that in other region, there is no difference between the control input for CD changer or MD changer - to the head unit, it's still a Kenwood changer, and even though I haven't seen the plug, but it looks like the cable from the head unit to a CD changer is the same as the one going to an MD changer. At least, for the European/Japanese deck. Now does the North American head unit shares the same pin out and control signals as the European head unit or Japanese unit? That's the question...

I will agree that MD has been a flop in North America, mostly because it's not priced attractively, plus it's real time recording - until NetMD came, which by then is already too late as MP3 has caught on. However, I have tons of MDs, and quite a collection of MD gear...

Hope yah dont mind....but i posted your question on the12volt.com. to get some more help for yah......heres the link

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=2&TopicID=8331&PagePosition=1#thread

Thanks for the repost on another forum - might be able to get more help that way...