Does your iPod artwork show up really low-res? Mine does and I can't figure out how to change it. It was fine until I switched my old iPod video to a new 160gb Classic.
just got this installed..amazon!....fuck crutchfield........im trying to figure out how to bypass the parking break caution thing.....anyone know how i can play dvd's while driving on this unit?
yeah i want a KDC-X991 and tha shit is 370 somthing free shipping. BUt the things are worth it, they are beautiful and they are for serious listeners only.
I like your review but do you use the dual zone function. I put the unit in my truck to run monitors in the back and the set up is rediculous. I was hoping you played with this feature and can help me out.
Good detailed vid, though. Much better than mine I'm not much of a talker.. I tried some narration on a few of my videos and didn't like it. So I'll leave the talkin to the people who are good at it.
this week. I looked at everything out there in this price range and this seems to be the best. The most important thing for me was ipod control. The other units were either really slow, awkward, or unable to play video from the head unit. I hope I made the right choice. I was going to get the 5120, but I have a widescreen Garmin Nuvi and like having the nav on a separate screen so I don't have to keep flipping back and forth while watching a video.
I ordered the BT-200 Bluetooth today for this unit from crutchfield and the KCA-SR20V Sirius cable today from them as well. Maybe finally I'll get my Sirius working again. With the Firmware update I am still having an issue playing videos (MPEG 2) from a USB device. It plays them now, but plays them SLOWLY which makes video playback useless.
Thanks for the heads up!! Just put the update in. It appears to fix one of my main problems, we'll see if it randomly locks up the album / artist info like it used to. But so far, its better than it was.
Since I dont have a IPOD and have no plans to buy one and rather use a USB external HD that has alot more storage (320GB) for alot less money..this really pisses me off
Good luck navigating 320 GBs of songs without an ipod interface giving you playlists, artist and album lists. It would be a mess and no device is going to load all that data fast enough for a drive. YOu'll spend more time waiting than listening. think b4 you act.
Easy, there. Not everyone understands exactly how this works... also a lot of players load slowly because they are reading in the ID3 tag information, which will end up giving you playlist, artist, album etc information (provided the tag information is correct). While that works I dig the iPod because I don't have to mess with the tags, it does it for me.
How did you hook up your IPOD to the unit? Did you have to buy an additional IPOD adaptor from Kenwood or did you just used the USB cable and audio video cables that came with it?
No you have to buy the ipod cable seperately... don't have the part number offhand but I bought that when I bought the unit. It was only like $25, which is better than having to buy a whole ipod controller thing for $50-$150.
Also the iPod interface is the fastest I have ever used. Its really good.
I just purchased the Kenwood DDX512 today and this a couple issues that really tick me off right now:
1. NO WAY TO HOOK UP SIRIUS YET! Kenwood hasn't released the cable required to connect this to your sirius box yet. I had to cancel my Sirius subscription until Kenwood ships the cable. (Estimated Available April)
2. No Bluetooth add-on available yet (Estimate available May)
3. Talked to engineer at kenwood on phone. Known issue can't play video with USB HD. Will released new fw soon
Man that's more than they told me. I talked to them on the phone and the guy seemed unoptimistic they would release a fw update, then I sent them a detailed email and they didn't respond.
If they fix a few of the ipod glitches I'll be happy. I haven't messed with any of the other stuff...
I just purchased the unit yesterday. Tried putting some dvds in. Some work, some don't. WTF! Then I cant get video from the ipod, I get sound but no video! What settings do you have the on the unit? What settings do you have on the ipod?
Are you clicking the "photo" when you're playing video from the ipod? You can see that on my video around 1:30.. you have to do that to get video. Then to get out you hit the FNC key and tap in the lower left around where it says "iPod" .. might be just clicking that lower bar, I don't know.
i just got the unit today , my biggest complaint so far is , the sirius unit , i bought all the part to run it or so i thought , i found out im missing an imporant wire , called kenwood , they told me they have not shiped them to the USA yet and it will be three weeks , im pissed right now about that , o well
yea im getting this unit , next monday , i saw it at a local audio place , im justwondering if there a way to hook it up so i can use the factor volume and skip features on my steering wheel
I've got this head unit and am on the fence so far. I've had it installed for about 3 weeks now; I don't own an iPod so I can't comment about that. Playing MP3s from a USB drive seems to be limited though, as it only appears to recognize 100 folders. That sux if you have a large capacity flash drive (I use an 8 GB). MP3s have to be ripped just right or they'll cause the unit to crash and reboot. The initial "boot" time for the system is rather long too. Hope a firmware update comes soon.
Yeah I initially was looking for an MP3 playing deck, but I've been through so many crappy MP3 playing decks, I switched to apple / ipod usage. Which while I resisted originally, I'm actually digging the functionality of the ipod overall. Given what I've read from people trying USB / MP3 stuff with massive collections, I think an iPod is the way to go if you have a lot of music. It takes the catalog burden off of the head unit.
I also called Kenwood and asked about a firmware update and was told "they don't issue fw updates very often" ... although he seemed to think a fw update was more likely to fix iPod issues than anything else.
I plan on doing some more complaining, I've found four glitches so far I think with just the iPod interface.
That's truly ashame. I'm not keen on getting an iPod either, at all. Not an Apple fanboy whatsoever. I shouldn't have to run another device to make the first one work right. If SSDs were cheaper and actually installed in head units rather than traditional hard drives, I would consider that route too. True integration. I dunno...I guess I just hate having the feeling that I spent all this money on a product that doesn't quite perform as expected.
And yeah, I called Kenwood too regarding some issues but they weren't of much help as it's too new of a unit. Wish I could get in touch with some of the developers of the unit...that would be nice.
I think the DNX5120 is the model that is like this one except includes navigation. Although the DDX512 supports nav (allegedly) with a nav accessory option. When I bought this I couldn't find it anywhere online, ended up finding it at a Best Buy of all places in L.A.
any1 got da wiring diagram to diz?
sanchaliz 3 months ago
how do you update the software on the unit to play ipod video ?
WILDCROVL 1 year ago
Does your iPod artwork show up really low-res? Mine does and I can't figure out how to change it. It was fine until I switched my old iPod video to a new 160gb Classic.
eldonmlong 2 years ago
can you create your own playlist from this device? or u can only play pre-made playlists?
longjohnsilverPE 2 years ago
Do you think the DDX514 has the same glitches? btw, love your taste in music!!!
webmasterd 2 years ago
dose that have navi
horantes21 2 years ago
We're installing this to also use the backup camera, what button do we press to see the camera after we've connected everything?
pcmedearis 2 years ago
my guess would be when the car is put in Reverse it switches to the camera automatically.
TyRumba 2 years ago
You can select what you want to be the backup cam. Usually it's holding the NAV button for more than 2 seconds.
Rudyr123 2 years ago
is that in a subaru?
puretorque300 3 years ago
just got this installed..amazon!....fuck crutchfield........im trying to figure out how to bypass the parking break caution thing.....anyone know how i can play dvd's while driving on this unit?
NanoNorCal707 3 years ago
just wire up the parking wire(i think green wire) to the ground wire.
raulie11 3 years ago
yeah just ground the green wire man
Challenger624 2 years ago
Look on google, one of the wires in the iso connecter at the back has to be grounded.
frozenwinterixion 2 years ago
Im getting this unit soon! Ill have it by next week :)
NeXuS858 3 years ago
I purchased this unit and its amazing, 440 dollars on ebay brand new
johouse05 3 years ago
yeah i want a KDC-X991 and tha shit is 370 somthing free shipping. BUt the things are worth it, they are beautiful and they are for serious listeners only.
Davaith 3 years ago
I like your review but do you use the dual zone function. I put the unit in my truck to run monitors in the back and the set up is rediculous. I was hoping you played with this feature and can help me out.
slimphoto 3 years ago
Nope.. sorry. I pretty much just run the iPod with it. :)
gahas0983r 3 years ago
I just posted a video response to the issues with this unit
vjdave 3 years ago
You got cut off @ 9:11!! heh.
Good detailed vid, though. Much better than mine I'm not much of a talker.. I tried some narration on a few of my videos and didn't like it. So I'll leave the talkin to the people who are good at it.
gahas0983r 3 years ago
There is a part 2. You must of just played the first one :)
vjdave 3 years ago
By the way thanks for this video. It really helped me make a final decision. cheers!
psykohed 3 years ago
I've decided to get this unit and I'm having it installed...
psykohed 3 years ago
this week. I looked at everything out there in this price range and this seems to be the best. The most important thing for me was ipod control. The other units were either really slow, awkward, or unable to play video from the head unit. I hope I made the right choice. I was going to get the 5120, but I have a widescreen Garmin Nuvi and like having the nav on a separate screen so I don't have to keep flipping back and forth while watching a video.
psykohed 3 years ago
I ordered the BT-200 Bluetooth today for this unit from crutchfield and the KCA-SR20V Sirius cable today from them as well. Maybe finally I'll get my Sirius working again. With the Firmware update I am still having an issue playing videos (MPEG 2) from a USB device. It plays them now, but plays them SLOWLY which makes video playback useless.
vjdave 3 years ago
how do i get the update???
jao805 3 years ago
Since stupid youtube wont let me post a link you need to go to kenwood's main website
vjdave 3 years ago
I did a google search for "DDX512 firmware" and it was on the firstpage somewhere.. couldn't find it on kenwood's manually. *shrug*
gahas0983r 3 years ago
i've read that there is no next or previous button.
psykohed 3 years ago
New firmware is out for this
vjdave 3 years ago
Thanks for the heads up!! Just put the update in. It appears to fix one of my main problems, we'll see if it randomly locks up the album / artist info like it used to. But so far, its better than it was.
gahas0983r 3 years ago
Thank you for contacting Kenwood USA Corporation. As an authorized agent for
Kenwood, we are responding to your recent email inquiry.
The DNX-5120 and DDX-512 are currently unable to play MPEGs or JPEGs via USB. We
are aware of this issue and currently working on a fix to solve the problem. When
the fix is available, we will contact and email you the update.
Please feel free to contact us again with any additional questions.
Kay Her
Product Support Representative
Kenwood USA
vjdave 3 years ago
Since I dont have a IPOD and have no plans to buy one and rather use a USB external HD that has alot more storage (320GB) for alot less money..this really pisses me off
vjdave 3 years ago
Good luck navigating 320 GBs of songs without an ipod interface giving you playlists, artist and album lists. It would be a mess and no device is going to load all that data fast enough for a drive. YOu'll spend more time waiting than listening. think b4 you act.
psykohed 3 years ago
Easy, there. Not everyone understands exactly how this works... also a lot of players load slowly because they are reading in the ID3 tag information, which will end up giving you playlist, artist, album etc information (provided the tag information is correct). While that works I dig the iPod because I don't have to mess with the tags, it does it for me.
gahas0983r 3 years ago
How did you hook up your IPOD to the unit? Did you have to buy an additional IPOD adaptor from Kenwood or did you just used the USB cable and audio video cables that came with it?
vjdave 3 years ago
No you have to buy the ipod cable seperately... don't have the part number offhand but I bought that when I bought the unit. It was only like $25, which is better than having to buy a whole ipod controller thing for $50-$150.
Also the iPod interface is the fastest I have ever used. Its really good.
gahas0983r 3 years ago
Is the cable you bought a single usb cable or does is have 3 connections for the back of the radio? 1 usb and 2 mini-plug for audio and video.
ckoleaz 3 years ago
Its just a single usb cable. The cable for the IPOD I believe has the 1 usb and 2 mini plugs for audio and video.
vjdave 3 years ago
I just purchased the Kenwood DDX512 today and this a couple issues that really tick me off right now:
1. NO WAY TO HOOK UP SIRIUS YET! Kenwood hasn't released the cable required to connect this to your sirius box yet. I had to cancel my Sirius subscription until Kenwood ships the cable. (Estimated Available April)
2. No Bluetooth add-on available yet (Estimate available May)
3. Talked to engineer at kenwood on phone. Known issue can't play video with USB HD. Will released new fw soon
vjdave 3 years ago
Man that's more than they told me. I talked to them on the phone and the guy seemed unoptimistic they would release a fw update, then I sent them a detailed email and they didn't respond.
If they fix a few of the ipod glitches I'll be happy. I haven't messed with any of the other stuff...
gahas0983r 3 years ago
I just purchased the unit yesterday. Tried putting some dvds in. Some work, some don't. WTF! Then I cant get video from the ipod, I get sound but no video! What settings do you have the on the unit? What settings do you have on the ipod?
jao805 3 years ago
Are you clicking the "photo" when you're playing video from the ipod? You can see that on my video around 1:30.. you have to do that to get video. Then to get out you hit the FNC key and tap in the lower left around where it says "iPod" .. might be just clicking that lower bar, I don't know.
gahas0983r 3 years ago
My ipod settings are:
TV out: off
TV format: NTSC
TV screen: widescreen
Fit to screen: off
gahas0983r 3 years ago
i just got the unit today , my biggest complaint so far is , the sirius unit , i bought all the part to run it or so i thought , i found out im missing an imporant wire , called kenwood , they told me they have not shiped them to the USA yet and it will be three weeks , im pissed right now about that , o well
kansanpoker 4 years ago
yea im getting this unit , next monday , i saw it at a local audio place , im justwondering if there a way to hook it up so i can use the factor volume and skip features on my steering wheel
kansanpoker 4 years ago
I've got this head unit and am on the fence so far. I've had it installed for about 3 weeks now; I don't own an iPod so I can't comment about that. Playing MP3s from a USB drive seems to be limited though, as it only appears to recognize 100 folders. That sux if you have a large capacity flash drive (I use an 8 GB). MP3s have to be ripped just right or they'll cause the unit to crash and reboot. The initial "boot" time for the system is rather long too. Hope a firmware update comes soon.
iigood 4 years ago
Yeah I initially was looking for an MP3 playing deck, but I've been through so many crappy MP3 playing decks, I switched to apple / ipod usage. Which while I resisted originally, I'm actually digging the functionality of the ipod overall. Given what I've read from people trying USB / MP3 stuff with massive collections, I think an iPod is the way to go if you have a lot of music. It takes the catalog burden off of the head unit.
gahas0983r 4 years ago
I also called Kenwood and asked about a firmware update and was told "they don't issue fw updates very often" ... although he seemed to think a fw update was more likely to fix iPod issues than anything else.
I plan on doing some more complaining, I've found four glitches so far I think with just the iPod interface.
gahas0983r 4 years ago
That's truly ashame. I'm not keen on getting an iPod either, at all. Not an Apple fanboy whatsoever. I shouldn't have to run another device to make the first one work right. If SSDs were cheaper and actually installed in head units rather than traditional hard drives, I would consider that route too. True integration. I dunno...I guess I just hate having the feeling that I spent all this money on a product that doesn't quite perform as expected.
iigood 4 years ago
And yeah, I called Kenwood too regarding some issues but they weren't of much help as it's too new of a unit. Wish I could get in touch with some of the developers of the unit...that would be nice.
iigood 4 years ago
im debating between this or the pioneer d3
creativesession 4 years ago
hello, i've been looking into getting this same deck. it doesn't have navigation though does it? and would it be easy to get it?
creativesession 4 years ago
I think the DNX5120 is the model that is like this one except includes navigation. Although the DDX512 supports nav (allegedly) with a nav accessory option. When I bought this I couldn't find it anywhere online, ended up finding it at a Best Buy of all places in L.A.
gahas0983r 4 years ago
navigation is a $700 add on for this unit. I think its cheaper to get one of the other Kenwood models that come with Nav than adding NAV to this one.
vjdave 3 years ago