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Audio & StereoTechnical discussions about factory or aftermarket audio and video systems.
This is a discussion thread titled "Kenwood DNX8120 Review", within the Audio & Stereo forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
ok. Thanks. I do have another question. The DNX8120 offers USB inputs and RCA audio inputs. I want to relocate these to a panel that I have in the dash. I know I could just run them under or though the dash some kind of way, but i want to try to keep it clean. So here is my question does anyone know where I could pick up a usb connector and 1/8 audio jack that would mount in the dash. Kinda like some of the newer cars today have them built in.
How are you gonna be keeping it "clean" with wires and connecters running out of a input panel on the dash?
__________________ 2007 Tundra DC SR5 TRD Nautical Blue, 5.7, 4X4, Toytec 2.5" front lift, 1" rear block, Diff. drop kit, BFG AT KOs 305/65R/18, JVC KW-AVX810 head unit, HD Radio, Sirius, JVC CH X1500 12 disc CD changer, Scosche piano black dash kit, Alpine 550 4 channel amp 90 watts per channel, Focal 165 V1 components front, Cliff Designs CD60-4C Components rear, Pioneer 10" sealed sub box, Clarion 10" shallow sub, Alpine 450 mono amp 220 watts, R/F 1 farad digital capacitor, All 4 doors and rear wall DynaMatt, Hard wired Escort Passport 8500 X50, Boyo VLT 300 rear veiw camera.
How are you gonna be keeping it "clean" with wires and connecters running out of a input panel on the dash?
The idea is that the usb and audio jacks won't be used much. If they are being used then yes there will be cables but when not in use then I could disconnect them and put them away. Looks better than having cables hanging all over the place when not in use.
I'm encouraged to hear you aren't having the issue with the unit losing the last song. However, I'm still having the issue where it loses the lasts song on the ipod when turned off and back on again. It plays the first song on the ipod every time I turn the unit on. Very annoying.
I've emailed tech support and after 3 days of waiting on a reply they asked me what model cable I was using. I didn't know there were more than one. I'm using the KCAIP300V. I just called tech support and the first guy I talked to about it told me it is supposed to work that way. In other words, it wasn't designed to store the last song it played on the ipod. I asked to speak to a supervisor and that person agreed with the first guy but took my information and will escilate it to their engineers and they will get back with him in 2 to 5 business days, argh! My unit has a sticker on the box that says UPGRADE CERTIFIED which indicates the firmware should be up to date. It sounds like there is a fix where it is a new cable or a firmware update. That would be good news because this is driving me crazy! I'm not impressed with Kenwood's tech support.
I have noticed something else with the unit. I noticed a humming noise when the navigation maps goes from day to night mode. The night mode has a hum that the day mode doesn't.
I also wished they would add a way to ramdomize the videos. I have over 700 music videos and I would like to play them in ramdom order rather than 1 artists at a time. Some artists in my collection only have 1 video so I'd have to select a new video every 5 minutes which is not desirable.
I wasn't aware of the unit playing all content including pod casts. I typically use play lists to play the music so that hasn't been an issue for me but I can see that it would be annoying.
Mine dosent hum, it might be the fan in the back. Mine made some noise because a wire was making contact. Once I moved it, the unit has be quiet ever since.
As far as your unit not playing the last song, maybe the cable is bad or the ipod is doing it. Does your ipod remember the last song or where it was when you power it on from sleep mode?
Mine dosent hum, it might be the fan in the back. Mine made some noise because a wire was making contact. Once I moved it, the unit has be quiet ever since.
As far as your unit not playing the last song, maybe the cable is bad or the ipod is doing it. Does your ipod remember the last song or where it was when you power it on from sleep mode?
I had my DNX8120 installed by a dealer so I'll have to take it back into them to check if there is any wires making contact.
As far as the unit not playing the last song, I think I figured out what is going on there. I have been playing my music playlist of my music videos from my ipod when I am experiencing this problem. I had more time to play around today. It appears to retain the last song and even the last play list I'm playing as long as it is music only file. If it is trying to play music from a music video track it loses it's place completely. Tech support told me there is an issue with getting and retaining that information from those types of files on the ipod. So there is still an issue and unfortunately this is my favorite content on my ipod. I might be able to find a program online to make a MP3 from the M4V files which will probably play fine on the Kenwood. This Kenwood is replacing an Alpine IVA-W200 which was stolen. The Alpine was able to keep track of the playlist/song when I preformed this same function on that unit. So the boys at Kenwood need to dig through their how-to books a little deeper and get this figured out.
The good news is there is a work around which is don't try to do what I'm trying to do. The bad news is I now have to convert my content to another format to make it work. It looks like there is a program called Tunebite that will do the job. I'll have to experiment.
I finally installed it and have had some time to mess around. So far I like it. Talk about a lot of wires, though! Jeeze, the whole backside of my dash is stuffed with wires now.
I think I am going to contact Kenwood and find out why one cannot play avi/divx files from the USB stick, but can if they are burned to a DVD. Seems only natural that you could play them from USB, too. Shortsighted software design if you ask me.
I mounted my Sirius antenna and GPS antenna under the empty center speaker cavity on the dash. Works well for GPS, but I am getting intermittent drops from Sirius. Strange thing is I can sit in my garage and the satellite reception is fine. Anyone have luck with the Sat antenna mounted here? Did you do anything special? Otherwise how hard was it to mount out of the cab brake light?
I used the Metra gloss install and it looks flawless. They did a great job. I also have an unopened Schose gloss kit, so if someone wants one for cheap plus shipping, let me know.
How has your experience with the bluetooth mic been? I mounted mine right above the airbag badge on the driver's a-pillar. It seems OK, but nt perfect. Adequate is the best way to put it, but that is the spot that has worked for me.
Anyone want to help a guy out with the factory camera modification? I built a regulator according to Rage's specs, but would like more info about tying everything together and what wires I need to tap into. Feel free to PM me if you have suggestions.
Looks like my ddx-812 will arrive tomorrow, so unless the problem stories on the 8120/812 scare me away, I'll get it installed in the coming days or weeks.
I finally installed it and have had some time to mess around. So far I like it. Talk about a lot of wires, though! Jeeze, the whole backside of my dash is stuffed with wires now.
I think I am going to contact Kenwood and find out why one cannot play avi/divx files from the USB stick, but can if they are burned to a DVD. Seems only natural that you could play them from USB, too. Shortsighted software design if you ask me.
I mounted my Sirius antenna and GPS antenna under the empty center speaker cavity on the dash. Works well for GPS, but I am getting intermittent drops from Sirius. Strange thing is I can sit in my garage and the satellite reception is fine. Anyone have luck with the Sat antenna mounted here? Did you do anything special? Otherwise how hard was it to mount out of the cab brake light?
I used the Metra gloss install and it looks flawless. They did a great job. I also have an unopened Schose gloss kit, so if someone wants one for cheap plus shipping, let me know.
How has your experience with the bluetooth mic been? I mounted mine right above the airbag badge on the driver's a-pillar. It seems OK, but nt perfect. Adequate is the best way to put it, but that is the spot that has worked for me.
Anyone want to help a guy out with the factory camera modification? I built a regulator according to Rage's specs, but would like more info about tying everything together and what wires I need to tap into. Feel free to PM me if you have suggestions.
Thanks for all the info so far...
Can you post some pics of the head unit installed with the metra kit? I've got the scoshe and metra coming but I'f like to get an idea what the metra looks like with the 8120...I've seen it with the scoshe...
Looks like my ddx-812 will arrive tomorrow, so unless the problem stories on the 8120/812 scare me away, I'll get it installed in the coming days or weeks.
So far haven't heard too many issues...I think they probably release a firmware update that will allow video playback off USB like they did for the other head unit (5120?)
So far haven't heard too many issues...I think they probably release a firmware update that will allow video playback off USB like they did for the other head unit (5120?)
I was sort of kidding. I am mainly just hoping to have a good quality, usable Blue Tooth in this one.
Thanks for the review point45 I actually went and bought the DNX8120 through a kenwood dealer around my area. You mentioned about setting up your Garage Door using the "External Switch". I know you had some problems with range, but can you help explain further how you got yours to work and what parts did you need for the setup. Thanks in advance.
Me too...hopefully should get my unit mid week...I hope bluetooth works well too...one of the main reasons I bought it
It's the main reason I sent my pioneer fh-p8000bt back to crutchfield. Never could get the BT to sound worth a flip. Totally unusable. Probably a bad mic or something, but don't know.
Decided to try the ddx812 based on the threads on the dnx8120. Don't need nav though since I have a separate garmin when nav is needed.
Got mine today, so I'll report back once I get around to installing. Will probably not be till weekend at soonest though.
Thanks for the review point45 I actually went and bought the DNX8120 through a kenwood dealer around my area. You mentioned about setting up your Garage Door using the "External Switch". I know you had some problems with range, but can you help explain further how you got yours to work and what parts did you need for the setup. Thanks in advance.
I used a 9v power regulator, 12v relay switch used for head lights, a 2amp fuse and my old garage remote.
Hi guys, I got a question for those of you with new/newer IPODS. I will be installing my 8120 in my tacoma in a few weeks (when everything arrives from ebay) and will also be buying a new ipod. I heard the new or newer IPODS have something built in so when you connect you can't get the video to display on the 8120. I want to make sure I don't get screwed and buy an ipod that won' work with the 8120. Right now I am interested in the ipod classic 80GB model. Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi guys, I got a question for those of you with new/newer IPODS. I will be installing my 8120 in my tacoma in a few weeks (when everything arrives from ebay) and will also be buying a new ipod. I heard the new or newer IPODS have something built in so when you connect you can't get the video to display on the 8120. I want to make sure I don't get screwed and buy an ipod that won' work with the 8120. Right now I am interested in the ipod classic 80GB model. Thanks in advance for your help.
So I guess what I am asking is have any of you with 6th gen ipod classics had any issues with video, thanks.
Re: Kenwood DNX8120 Review
2007 Tundra DC SR5 TRD Nautical Blue, 5.7, 4X4, Toytec 2.5" front lift, 1" rear block, Diff. drop kit, BFG AT KOs 305/65R/18, JVC KW-AVX810 head unit, HD Radio, Sirius, JVC CH X1500 12 disc CD changer, Scosche piano black dash kit, Alpine 550 4 channel amp 90 watts per channel, Focal 165 V1 components front, Cliff Designs CD60-4C Components rear, Pioneer 10" sealed sub box, Clarion 10" shallow sub, Alpine 450 mono amp 220 watts, R/F 1 farad digital capacitor, All 4 doors and rear wall DynaMatt, Hard wired Escort Passport 8500 X50, Boyo VLT 300 rear veiw camera.
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