I run audio throughout the house and occasionally like to listen to the audio portion of local news, etc. while I am away from the TV. If I were to get a converter box, get it set up initially with a TV set, and then feed it AC power, and signal from an antenna, can I tap the audio only without even connecting video out on it? Also, do most of these devices have an infrared remote control or do some use UHF remote controls? I suspect that some of these boxes may work better than others for this application, but I want to find out what I Can before I buy one.

The boxes have audio outputs, so you should be fine there. They are also allowed to have remote controls, so you should be able to use the IR sensor. I doubt any will offer UHF remotes, since 99.9% of them wil be in the same room as an analog TV.

I run audio throughout the house and occasionally like to listen to the audio portion of local news, etc. while I am away from the TV. If I were to get a converter box, get it set up initially with a TV set, and then feed it AC power, and signal from an antenna, can I tap the audio only without even connecting video out on it? Also, do most of these devices have an infrared remote control or do some use UHF remote controls? I suspect that some of these boxes may work better than others for this application, but I want to find out what I Can before I buy one.

All of the coupon eligible converters have RCA analog stereo outputs (no digital outputs are permitted.)

You will need to hook up a TV to set up the converter or rescan channels (which you will need to do after 2/17/09). Other than that you don't need a TV.

When setting up the converter you would need to disable the default 4 hour shutoff that every CECB has.

Only expect IR remotes. These boxes are built to sell cheap.

Of the converters that are currently in stores, I would pick the Zenith/Insigna box. Unlike the others it has a metal case and proper ventilation slots so it should run cooler.

...When setting up the converter you would need to disable the default 4 hour shutoff that every CECB has...

Wow, I didn't even know about the default 4 hour shutoff.

The other thought I had is using just the audio portion in a vehicle. I have an auxiliary input on my in-dash JVC KD-HDR1 receiver that has an auxiliary input http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027691&pathId=54&page=2
however, I don't know what sort of mobile antenna would be optimized for UHF-TV reception. Plus, I am assuming that this would only work while parked and as soon as I am in motion I could no longer hear it. I think that I have read that ATSC modulation doesn't lend itself to being in motion.

Wow, I didn't even know about the default 4 hour shutoff.

The other thought I had is using just the audio portion in a vehicle. I have an auxiliary input on my in-dash JVC KD-HDR1 receiver that has an auxiliary input http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027691&pathId=54&page=2
however, I don't know what sort of mobile antenna would be optimized for UHF-TV reception. Plus, I am assuming that this would only work while parked and as soon as I am in motion I could no longer hear it. I think that I have read that ATSC modulation doesn't lend itself to being in motion.

Some of the converters use DC wallwarts for power. Those would be easier to modify for use in a car.

> I think that I have read that ATSC modulation doesn't lend itself to being in motion.

That's what I've heard.

If they make a US version with an ATSC 8VSB digital television receiver inside I would be all set with TV audio.

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