The VPFET HDMI Audio Extractor suits HDMI sources feeding optical or 3.5mm outputs. The XPTSFDU HDMI ARC to RCA converter works when a TV has ARC and you need analog outputs. The PROZOR DAC fits optical or coaxial sources going to RCA or 3.5mm. The VEDINDUST analog to digital converter handles RCA or 3.5mm sources going to optical or coaxial. For car audio, the AudioControl LC2i restores bass and keeps factory controls; the Scosche LOC80 is a simpler two channel option. Tradeoff: home converters stay put with specific digital formats; car units tap speaker wires and need a remote turn on check.
VPFET HDMI Audio Extractor
Best for: Splitting audio from an HDMI source to optical or 3.5mm
- Extracts audio from HDMI and sends it to an AV receiver via optical or 3.5mm.
- Offers 2.0CH, 5.1CH, and pass modes for output flexibility.
- Supports 4K at 30Hz with HDCP 1.4 and DTS 5.1 on optical.
Keep in mind: TV cannot be the input source and ARC/eARC are not supported.
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XPTSFDU HDMI ARC Audio Converter
Best for: TVs with ARC that need RCA or 3.5mm analog out
- Three inputs: HDMI ARC, Toslink optical, and coaxial, with RCA, optical, coaxial, and 3.5mm outputs.
- Supports DTS, Dolby AC3, DSD, and LPCM on optical and coaxial outputs.
- Power off memory keeps the last input mode and overvoltage protection guards the unit.
Keep in mind: HDMI port on TV must support ARC; volume cannot be adjusted by TV remote.
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PROZOR Digital to Analog Audio Converter
Best for: Optical or coaxial PCM sources feeding RCA or 3.5mm inputs
- Converts coaxial or Toslink digital PCM audio to analog L/R RCA and 3.5mm simultaneously.
- Sampling rates up to 192kHz and 24 bit SPDIF incoming bit stream.
- Built in audio amplifier chip addresses low output volume.
Keep in mind: Set source to PCM or LPCM; optical output is not supported.
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VEDINDUST Analog to Digital Audio Converter
Best for: RCA or 3.5mm sources feeding optical or coaxial inputs
- Converts RCA L/R or 3.5mm AUX to optical Toslink or coaxial output.
- Supports PCM/LPCM audio format with stable digital signal conversion.
- Powered by 5V USB and has a soft light LED indicator.
Keep in mind: Needs USB power; confirm your source output level works with this converter.
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AudioControl LC2i Line Output Converter
Best for: Adding amps or subs to factory car audio with bass restoration
- Converts speaker level signals up to 400W per channel to preamp outputs.
- AccuBASS restores bass roll off from factory radios.
- Selectable GTO signal sense auto powers the unit or remote 12V input.
Keep in mind: Does not retain fader control when running multiple amplifiers.
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Scosche LOC80 Line Output Converter
Best for: Simple two channel car audio amp or sub integration
- Converts speaker level signals to RCA line level signals.
- Compact design fits tight spaces for easy installation.
- Designed to minimize signal interference for clean sound.
Keep in mind: Two channel only; confirm it matches your amplifier input needs.
Check price on Amazon ↗Product names and images come from the Amazon listings and are rechecked against them (last checked Nov 8, 2026). The highlights restate each listing's own bullet points as published on Nov 8, 2026. Prices change often, so we do not show them. These are affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
How These Picks Were Chosen
This shortlist starts with listing details only: inputs, outputs, supported formats, power needs, and any stated limitations. Six designs span HDMI extraction, digital to analog, analog to digital, HDMI ARC, and car audio line output conversion. That spread covers common hookup problems without overlapping redundant boxes.
No unit was handled or used in person, so there are no observations about build feel or long term reliability. What appears below is only what each listing states. The table compares the attributes these listings actually provide, with gaps marked as Not listed.
The selection guide linked here explains what separates converters that stay useful from ones that clutter a drawer. It is worth reading before you commit: What Separates Audio Converters That Stay Useful From Ones That Clutter
Inputs, Outputs, and Formats Compared
Start with the signal you have and the connection you need. HDMI sources without ARC work with the VPFET extractor, while ARC only TVs fit the XPTSFDU. Optical or coaxial digital audio going to analog inputs suits the PROZOR. Analog sources going to optical or coaxial suit the VEDINDUST. Car speaker wires going to RCA suit the AudioControl or Scosche.
Format support varies. The XPTSFDU lists DTS, Dolby AC3, DSD, and LPCM on digital outputs. The VPFET lists DTS 5.1 on optical and PCM 2.0 on 3.5mm. The PROZOR and VEDINDUST list PCM or LPCM. The car units do not list digital formats because they work with speaker level analog signals.
Power and controls differ too. The VPFET, PROZOR, and VEDINDUST need 5V USB power. The XPTSFDU has a DIP switch for input selection and power off memory. The AudioControl has level controls and GTO signal sense. The Scosche listing does not state power or controls.
| Product | Inputs | Outputs | Audio formats | Power | Key controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPFET HDMI Audio Extractor | HDMI | Optical, 3.5mm | DTS 5.1 (optical), PCM 2.0 (3.5mm) | 5V USB | Mode switch (2.0CH, 5.1CH, pass) |
| XPTSFDU HDMI ARC Audio Converter | HDMI ARC, optical, coaxial | RCA, optical, coaxial, 3.5mm | DTS, Dolby AC3, DSD, LPCM | Not listed | DIP switch, power off memory |
| PROZOR Digital to Analog Audio Converter | Optical, coaxial | RCA, 3.5mm | PCM or LPCM, 192kHz | 5V 1A USB | None listed |
| VEDINDUST Analog to Digital Audio Converter | RCA, 3.5mm | Optical, coaxial | PCM/LPCM | 5V USB | None listed |
| AudioControl LC2i Line Output Converter | Speaker level | RCA preamp | Not listed | 12V remote or GTO | Level controls, GTO, remote out |
| Scosche LOC80 Line Output Converter | Speaker level | RCA | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
What to Confirm on the Listing Before Buying
Check the exact input and output labels on your gear. HDMI ARC only works if the TV port says ARC. Optical outputs on TVs often need PCM or LPCM set in audio settings, as the PROZOR listing warns. The VPFET listing says TV cannot be its input source and Fire TV, Apple TV, and PS4/5 only pass 1080p through it.
Power is another detail. Three of the home converters need 5V USB, and the PROZOR listing asks for a certified 5V 1A adapter. The car units may need a remote turn on wire; the AudioControl listing says compatible with most but not all vehicles.
Volume control can surprise you. The XPTSFDU listing states the TV remote cannot adjust volume when using that converter. The PROZOR listing explains TV optical output volume may need adjustment in TV settings. If you want to keep steering wheel controls, the AudioControl listing says it retains that function.
Who Should Skip These Picks
If you need multichannel surround beyond 5.1, none of these home units list 7.1 support. The VPFET listing explicitly says it does not support 7.1 channels. The XPTSFDU lists DTS and Dolby AC3 but not 7.1. Look for a processor that states 7.1 or Atmos passthrough.
If your car audio uses a factory amplifier with high power or you need fader control across multiple amps, the AudioControl LC2i listing says it does not retain fader when running multiple amplifiers. The Scosche LOC80 is two channel only. Consider a multichannel line output converter with fader retention.
If you want a single box that converts both directions, none of these do that. Each listing states a one way path: HDMI to analog or digital, digital to analog, analog to digital, or speaker level to RCA. Choose the direction you need and confirm the other direction is not required.
Design and Size Notes from the Listings
The AudioControl LC2i listing gives dimensions: 5.4 inches long, 3.25 inches deep, and 1.5 inches high, with mounting brackets making it 6.5 inches long. That is useful for underdash placement. The Scosche listing calls its unit compact and says it fits easily into tight spaces but gives no numbers.
The VEDINDUST listing says its design is compact for placement behind TVs or soundbars. The VPFET and PROZOR listings do not state dimensions. The XPTSFDU listing does not state size either, but its DIP switch suggests top or side access is needed for input changes.
If space is tight, the car units and the VEDINDUST are the only ones described as compact. For home theater racks, the VPFET and XPTSFDU are typical small boxes with HDMI and optical ports on opposite sides, based on their connection lists, but no dimensions are stated.
Questions That Come Up When Comparing These Converters
Do I need an HDMI audio extractor or an HDMI ARC converter?
If your source is a standard HDMI device like a cable box or game console and you want to split audio to optical or 3.5mm, an extractor like the VPFET works. If your TV has an HDMI ARC port and you want to send TV audio to analog RCA or 3.5mm, an ARC converter like the XPTSFDU is the match.
Will these converters work with 5.1 surround sound?
Only some. The VPFET lists DTS 5.1 on its optical output. The XPTSFDU lists DTS and Dolby AC3 on digital outputs. The PROZOR and VEDINDUST list PCM or LPCM only, which is stereo. Check your source format and the converter's stated support before buying.
Why would I choose a car line output converter over a home audio converter?
Car line output converters tap speaker level wires from a factory radio and turn them into RCA preamp signals for aftermarket amps or subs. Home audio converters work with line level digital or analog signals, not high power speaker wires. The AudioControl and Scosche units are built for that car specific job.
Which Audio Converter Fits Your Hookup
A home theater owner with an older AV receiver that lacks HDMI but has optical and 3.5mm inputs gets the cleanest path from the VPFET HDMI Audio Extractor, since it splits audio from a Blu-ray or cable box without needing ARC. Someone with a newer TV that only has HDMI ARC and wants to feed a vintage stereo with RCA inputs should pick the XPTSFDU HDMI ARC Audio Converter, because it is the only pick that accepts ARC and outputs analog. Car audio builders adding a sub amp while keeping factory bass should choose the AudioControl LC2i for its AccuBASS and level controls.
How to read this guide. The picks were chosen by comparing listing details across six designs: input types, output types, supported formats, power requirements, and stated limitations. No unit was handled or used, so everything here comes from the listing text only, not from in person experience.