Which DTV Converter box will do this?

In Feb '09 I will no longer be able to listen to TV programs in my car. I am trying to find out which converter box will: Work without a remote control after setup (Unit will need a channel up/down and power button on the front), and runs off of DC power (comes with a power brick). I would like it like that so I can just use one of those cigarette lighter adapters rather than one of those AC/DC inverters.

Please let me know if you have seen any boxes that will do both of those.Which DTV Converter box will do this?
I can't vouch for these units, but a post on the AVS forum listed these DTV converter units.



Artec T3A 12 vdc

DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10 9VDC

MicroGEM MG2000

Sansonic FT300A

Sansonic FT300RT



So what's your problem with using an inverter. Sounds like an ideal solution to me. You can use any of the boxes with it. Or are they so inefficient that they drain the battery too fast when you're camped?Which DTV Converter box will do this?
If your car is going more than a few miles per hour, no DTV or converter box will work. This is inherent to the digital system that is being used.



There is work being done on "moble DTV" but it will not be compatible with current equipment.



If you want to use it while stationary, the Antec model seems popular with RVers. It uses a 12 volt external supply. I would not recommend using it with a running automobile. The allowable voltage spikes in a running auto would likely fry the converter. Which DTV Converter box will do this?
Most of the boxes I've seen qualify that way, they have front-panel power and channel up/down, and use a DC power brick. To be specific, the Zinwell ZAT970 uses 5 VDC, and Venturer/RCA STB7766G1 uses 9 VDC, and has power and channel buttons.



Problem #1 - Generally DTV boxes output RF on either channel 3 or 4, your TV converter box probably outputs somewhere in the FM band, am I right? Your FM radio then picks up that signal. However, the DTV converter boxes have straight audio output, so you may be able to pipe that into your car system (do you have an external 'MP3' jack or the like?) Or use something like a powered speaker if you aren't too fussy.



Problem #2 - It might be a bit of a challenge stepping up and down thru all the channels and subchannels without being able to see where you are. Best bet there is to still use the remote to directly select the channel (AT A STOP LIGHT, I trust!).



Problem #3 - The biggest issue: DTV signals just don't work very well in a mobile application. It takes time to lock in on the signal, and the subtle changes (signal strength, multi-path interference) in a moving vehicle are going to be a problem. How might I know? I've seen people posting their problems with this where they wanted to watch TV while, er, driving (passengers, mobile homes, etc). I see the same sort of problem on windy days using my indoor antenna. I know you only care about the audio, but that drops out just like the video.



There's supposed to be a mobile DTV standard coming up, but I believe that will need a whole different receiver.



If you're used to hearing channel 6 at the low end of your FM dial, yep that is going away.