I have had a Kenwood 8" touch screen which I couldn't live without for GPS Nav. I am buying a new DC Tundra and am thinking of installing the double DIN Kenwood DDX7015 unit. It will fit without mods (expensive mods on my current Tundra for 8" touch screen). I want to know if anyone has used this DDX7015, 6.5" touch screen. Mostly I want to know what the user interface is like because my current one isn't very good except for GPS Nav.

The interface is pretty straight forward and simple. Nothing to fancy. The DDX as well as the KVT715DVD and the KVT815DVD all have the same interface. Check out a Good Guys in San Diego or a Best Buy. They both carry the 715. If you like what you see then the DDX will be just what you need. Good luck!! :tu:

I have had a Kenwood 8" touch screen which I couldn't live without for GPS Nav. I am buying a new DC Tundra and am thinking of installing the double DIN Kenwood DDX7015 unit. It will fit without mods (expensive mods on my current Tundra for 8" touch screen). I want to know if anyone has used this DDX7015, 6.5" touch screen. Mostly I want to know what the user interface is like because my current one isn't very good except for GPS Nav.
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/15210/password//sort/1/cat/500/page/1

http://www.oemvalue.com/request/toyotanav

You can always do that.

The interface is pretty straight forward and simple. Nothing to fancy. The DDX as well as the KVT715DVD and the KVT815DVD all have the same interface. Check out a Good Guys in San Diego or a Best Buy. They both carry the 715. If you like what you see then the DDX will be just what you need. Good luck!! :tu:

I work at Best Buy and can get mine for $810 :D

I work at Best Buy and can get mine for $810 :D

Doh! Gee, I guess I should go up to Orange County :p

The interface is pretty straight forward and simple. Nothing to fancy. The DDX as well as the KVT715DVD and the KVT815DVD all have the same interface. Check out a Good Guys in San Diego or a Best Buy. They both carry the 715. If you like what you see then the DDX will be just what you need. Good luck!! :tu:

The brand new 915DVD (just showing up at dealers) is supposed to have an "Advanced GUI" versus the 7015's "New GUI". I really want the fixed screen versus a motorized screen because I don't want to wait for the screen to motor out (I use a backup camera). Still, the GUI is important so I am waiting for someone to have the 915 on display so I can check out this "Advanced" GUI.

The interface on the 915 is better than the 815,715 or the DDX. It has full motion graphics unlike the other ones but the interface is still pretty much the same just alot more fancy. The difference between the units is that the 915 has Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II, a TV Tuner, 2 AV in's and it also has DVD Audio playback. It does cost more than the other units because it is a flagship unit. Definately check it out though, it is a really awesome unit and it is finally out on the market!! RN039... Glad to see BB finally got the Kenwood video product and $810 is a pretty good deal. I got mine for free and that's only because of who I work for... ;)

The interface on the 915 is better than the 815,715 or the DDX. It has full motion graphics unlike the other ones but the interface is still pretty much the same just alot more fancy. The difference between the units is that the 915 has Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II, a TV Tuner, 2 AV in's and it also has DVD Audio playback. It does cost more than the other units because it is a flagship unit. Definately check it out though, it is a really awesome unit and it is finally out on the market!! RN039... Glad to see BB finally got the Kenwood video product and $810 is a pretty good deal. I got mine for free and that's only because of who I work for... ;)

D***, I gotta get a job with you!

Thanks for the info. A convenient UI is most important so if the DDX matches the 915 on that, I would love the DDX so I don't have to wait for the 915 screen to motor out. Fancy graphics are cool but not that important. I am not sure I have heard of DVD Audio playback but I assume that is just an enhanced version of music CDs right?

Do you know anything about the Kenwood microphone option for the Kenwood Nav unit? If so, is it practical in real world environments?

First off, DVD Audio has a higher resolution than a standard cd does. It is recorded in 5.1 just like Dolby Digital but the bandwith and frequency response are alot higher. It really sounds 100 times better than any CD I have ever heard. The hard part is getting a center channel into the car. You have to be creative with it. The Voice command feature for the nav is pretty cool. It has about a 100 commands that you use to with it. You cannot program it though with your own commands you just have the use the preprogrammed ones. Do you need it?? I think you have to ask yourself how your gonna use it. Are you always gonna be using the commands that it has or will you be just inputting destinations when you need directions. I have it and I use it some of the time. It is handy when you need something fast. Microphone placement is pretty critical because of road and wind noise. That is the only down side to it. Hope that helps you out!! Let me know if you have anymore questions... :tu:

Great feedback! Thanks!

I suppose the DVD Audio is only useful if you buy DVD Audio disks which I haven't seen around yet, so I can probably live without that.

I just got the qoute back from the mobile audio store and the Nav mic is only $80 so I will go for it. I'm going to get the Dynomat installed all around so the road noise, in theory, should be minimal. I have Dynomat in my current Tundra but have really noisy tires. I use my LZ800W touch screen with Nav all the time and couldn't imagine not having Touch Screen Nav. I don't think I would use Nav if I only had the choice of using the standard joystick approch to inputting the desired address. With the touch screen Nav, I can enter an address quick so I use it a lot. I do wish it was tied somehow to those real-time traffic maps on the internet that show traffic speeds and accidents. My life would be almost complete with that! :clown:

Besides the Nav, my other favorite multimedia system component is the Music Keg. I have every single CD I own burned to the 10GB drive and now you can get 40GB drives for this unit! I can't understand why anyone would ever buy a CD changer again.

In my old truck, I had the JL Audio 500/5 amp (big) mounted to the back wall and you can't even feel it when you lean back in the back seat. I want to keep this amp but can't figure out where to put it in the DC. In fact, I have several components in the floor compartment (under back right seat) for my current Tundra but the DC has much smaller floor compartments. In fact, because of the shape of the floor compartments, I doubt I can fit anything in those compartments. I really like that you don't see any of my current components and there isn't any false floors or anything like that. They will really have to get creative with the DC when I get it to them.

- Longboarder over and out



First off, DVD Audio has a higher resolution than a standard cd does. It is recorded in 5.1 just like Dolby Digital but the bandwith and frequency response are alot higher. It really sounds 100 times better than any CD I have ever heard. The hard part is getting a center channel into the car. You have to be creative with it. The Voice command feature for the nav is pretty cool. It has about a 100 commands that you use to with it. You cannot program it though with your own commands you just have the use the preprogrammed ones. Do you need it?? I think you have to ask yourself how your gonna use it. Are you always gonna be using the commands that it has or will you be just inputting destinations when you need directions. I have it and I use it some of the time. It is handy when you need something fast. Microphone placement is pretty critical because of road and wind noise. That is the only down side to it. Hope that helps you out!! Let me know if you have anymore questions... :tu:

It's good to hear that you like your products. I myself could never use the Nav without the touch screen. It just makes more sense. Yes the Music Keg is awesome!! In fact there is a 60 gig already out. There should be a 80 and a 120 out close to years end. Come September we are going to release a new Music Keg, V.2 that will be really cool. It will be din size so it will fit in the dash and it will have a front and rear USB interface for portables. If you connect it to one of the in-dash touch screens, it will have a new interface that will have album art for each artisit. It will work through the navigation screen so it will show all the info for you on the screen. Yes you will still be able to have a nav unit connected as well. Lastly, it will feature a Compact Flash slot so if you get a Compact Flash Wi-Fi card and you have a home network, all your music can be transfered wirelessly. No need to take out the cartridge any more. Thats just a few things thatwe are working on. Enjoy your stuff and let me know if I can be of anymore help.

I can't figure out why more people don't know about the Music Keg. Like I was saying before, it doesn't make sense anymore to have CD changers. I guess the only thing you could say is that you do have to rip your CDs.

That new Music Keg sounds cool. I was thinking that I could reuse my current unit until it comes out but with the DDX7015, I won't have any more dins left. On my current truck, I re-did my dash and mounted the touch screen where the stereo was and then fab'd a place below the ash tray for the head unit. That wasn't the best idea because I have to reach down low to manipulate the controls on the head. Plus, insurance won't cover things not in default locations so I had to get "special" insurance that cost bucks deluxe. Is the only thing on the front of it the USB port and compact flash port? If so, I could put it under the seat since I wouldn't need to access all the time. If on the other hand, it has controls that you use a lot, it probably wouldn't be good to have it out of the way (i.e. under a seat).

You know, that is what I noticed about Kenwood, they are out front on the cutting edge (e.g. I think they had the first aftermarket touchscreen).


It's good to hear that you like your products. I myself could never use the Nav without the touch screen. It just makes more sense. Yes the Music Keg is awesome!! In fact there is a 60 gig already out. There should be a 80 and a 120 out close to years end. Come September we are going to release a new Music Keg, V.2 that will be really cool. It will be din size so it will fit in the dash and it will have a front and rear USB interface for portables. If you connect it to one of the in-dash touch screens, it will have a new interface that will have album art for each artisit. It will work through the navigation screen so it will show all the info for you on the screen. Yes you will still be able to have a nav unit connected as well. Lastly, it will feature a Compact Flash slot so if you get a Compact Flash Wi-Fi card and you have a home network, all your music can be transfered wirelessly. No need to take out the cartridge any more. Thats just a few things thatwe are working on. Enjoy your stuff and let me know if I can be of anymore help.

NDCENT1, so what multimedia goodies do you got in your rig?

- Longboarder

Currently I have installed in my ride the Kenwood KVT-815DVD along with the KNA-DV3100 Navigation sytem. I am also running the Kenwood Music Keg, Sirius Satellite Radio and the Vizualogic 7" headrest monitors. I have also purchased a few other goodies that I have not had time to install yet. I just bought the MB Quart Q-Series components for the front and the Reference Series for the back. I also have an Lanzar Optidrive 4150 4-Channel amp and a Lanzar Optidrive 2500 2-Channel amp that came from my previous ride. Lastly I have a new Kenwood 11' super woofer that I am building a box for. I know what your thinking... I work for Kenwood but I have other brands of products in my ride. Well I do like our speakers alot and felt that I just wanted a even higher grade of speaker for my ride. We do make some great sounding speakers but just wanted that next level. I did get the sub that I wanted for it though. Our new super woofer just rocks and it fits into a small enclosure. I was gonna buy some of our new amps but they are just getting released to the market. So I will just install what I have and then this summer I will swap out the amps for our new ones. I have been trying to get it done as fast as I can but time has not been on my side with this project. Hopefully it will be done by the middle of May but it is not looking good right now. Too many things to do and not enough time on my hands.....

any recommendations for a 2004 Tundra Double Cab??? Looking for a touch screen that fits without retrofitting/cutting and would be compatible with XM radio...I've seen quite a few that can controll SIRIUS but havent seen many for XM....interested in audio, video but not too concerned about NAvigation...if it has it great if not, no big deal.

Well if you want XM then you will have to look at either Pioneer or Alpine. Both of those companys have touch screens but keep in mind that they do not have a double din. They both offer flip-out touch screens but not sure if thats what you are looking for. You said something that fits and requires no cutting. Neither of them would but the screen will be flipped up and will extend over the top of the dash. If your not set on XM then we offer the DDX-7015 double din touch screen that will drop right into your dash. You will have to make a trim panel for it as you would with any aftermarket radio you install but it is a really cool piece of equipment. lastly, the DDX-7015 has no outboard hideaway box so that will save on space. Most of the flp-out screens have a hideaway box. I know that space in my Sequoia is very limited if you can believe that so I know that you will probably have less space than I do. Just something to keep in mind. If you want to check out the double din, you can check it out at Kenwoodusa.com. Hope this helps!!

any recommendations for a 2004 Tundra Double Cab??? Looking for a touch screen that fits without retrofitting/cutting and would be compatible with XM radio...I've seen quite a few that can controll SIRIUS but havent seen many for XM....interested in audio, video but not too concerned about NAvigation...if it has it great if not, no big deal.

I am using Sirius via my Kenwood stuff but haven't checked out XM. One new thing I love about Sirius (not sure if XM has it), they now have continuous traffic and weather reports for major cities - no waiting every 15 minutes or listening to comercials. One difference I have heard about (back when I first signed up for Sirius) between XM and Sirius is that Siruis has adaptive bandwidth so they can use lower bandwidth (audio quality) for things like new channels (e.g. CNN, The Weather Channel, etc..) so that they have more bandwidth (higher quality audio) for music channels.

Also note that Nav adds a lot of money to the price of any brand's unit; so if that isn't so interesting for you, don't bother. Personally, I use it all the time because my setup uses a touch screen to just type in the address (versus most systems where you scroll thru the alphabet and select one letter/number at a time). I wouldn't bother using it if it didn't have touch screen input for the destination address.

Well if you want XM then you will have to look at either Pioneer or Alpine. Both of those companys have touch screens but keep in mind that they do not have a double din. .... If your not set on XM then we offer the DDX-7015 double din touch screen that will drop right into your dash. You will have to make a trim panel for it as you would with any aftermarket radio you install but it is a really cool piece of equipment. lastly, the DDX-7015 has no outboard hideaway box so that will save on space.... If you want to check out the double din, you can check it out at Kenwoodusa.com. Hope this helps!!

Ndcent1,

Thanks for the help...just a few questions...so what did you do to fill the space left by the single DIN KVT815DVD??? Is Kenwood contemplating making an XM satellite tuner to work with their multimedia centers??? I have XM now and would love the option of going with the DDX 7015 if it supported XM....

What I did for my dash is I put the Navigation unit under it so it filled up the space but it still left some space on either side. I got some plexiglass at Home Depot and cut it to fit. it is wedged under the nav and the factory cross piece so it holds real well. No glue or nothing. Before I put it in, I painted the plexi from behind with gloss black paint so when it dried, it looks like the other factory pieces around the trac switch and the A/C controls. I hate those install kits as they look so generic. Just was not the look I was going for. As far as our head units working with XM, we do not support XM. If you must have XM with our head units, Blitzsafe makes an adaptor so you can plug in the pioneer XM tuner box. Check out Blitzsafe.com for more info. I will post some pics of my install when I am all done. It is a long process just because of work, travel and my family but it will be done soon!! :D

What I did for my dash is I put the Navigation unit under it so it filled up the space but it still left some space on either side. I got some plexiglass at Home Depot and cut it to fit. it is wedged under the nav and the factory cross piece so it holds real well. No glue or nothing. Before I put it in, I painted the plexi from behind with gloss black paint so when it dried, it looks like the other factory pieces around the trac switch and the A/C controls. I hate those install kits as they look so generic. Just was not the look I was going for. As far as our head units working with XM, we do not support XM. If you must have XM with our head units, Blitzsafe makes an adaptor so you can plug in the pioneer XM tuner box. Check out Blitzsafe.com for more info. I will post some pics of my install when I am all done. It is a long process just because of work, travel and my family but it will be done soon!! :D

Ndcent1, do you know if it is possible to hook up my 04 DC Steering Wheel audio controls to the Kenwood DDX7015?

Ok, I'm looking at the same Kenwood model.
I really have never been a kenwood fan, up until I saw this unit
(ddx7015) It's a nice one.
I have however, been a fan of the Eclipse products for a while.

I'm leaning towards their AVN /AVX products.
Specifically because the Navigation is intergrated, into the unit. Where the
"wood" has navigation as an $1800 add on.
So, That is a biggie for me.
I'm totally down for Navigation. And that xtra cost is prohibitive.
So I'm going to research prices on the Eclipse before i move to the "Wood"

As i type this There is one of those kenwood units (new in box) on ebay for a $1G
So there is a deal.

Thats my two cents.
Good Luck
CK

Ok, I'm looking at the same Kenwood model.
I really have never been a kenwood fan, up until I saw this unit
(ddx7015) It's a nice one.
I have however, been a fan of the Eclipse products for a while.

I'm leaning towards their AVN /AVX products.
Specifically because the Navigation is intergrated, into the unit. Where the
"wood" has navigation as an $1800 add on.
So, That is a biggie for me.
I'm totally down for Navigation. And that xtra cost is prohibitive.
So I'm going to research prices on the Eclipse before i move to the "Wood"

As i type this There is one of those kenwood units (new in box) on ebay for a $1G
So there is a deal.

Thats my two cents.
Good Luck
CK

My only suggestion is to really consider a touch screen solution for the Nav. I would probably very rarely use my Nav if it didn't have a touch screen keyboard to enter the destination address because the alternative is that you have to scroll thru each letter (usually with a remote) and select it before moving to next letter although those systems usually limit the next letter to one's that are in the systems database. The difference is night and day as far as time to enter an address. Honestly, I enter an address for something probably twice or three times a week usually when I am in a hurry and I can do it all in about 15 seconds. Whenever I talk to others who have the other style and ask them how often they used it to input an address in the past 30 days, I usually hear once to never. Anyway, that is my input for what it is worth...

Originally Posted by trixboomer
Ok, I'm looking at the same Kenwood model.
I really have never been a kenwood fan, up until I saw this unit
(ddx7015) It's a nice one.
I have however, been a fan of the Eclipse products for a while.

I'm leaning towards their AVN /AVX products.
Specifically because the Navigation is intergrated, into the unit. Where the
"wood" has navigation as an $1800 add on.
So, That is a biggie for me.
I'm totally down for Navigation. And that xtra cost is prohibitive.
So I'm going to research prices on the Eclipse before i move to the "Wood"

As i type this There is one of those kenwood units (new in box) on ebay for a $1G
So there is a deal.

Thats my two cents.
Good Luck
CK

As far as the Eclipse Double Din/Nav unit goes, it is a great piece but you must consider a few things. First is the price, it retails at $2400. You said that you could get the DDX for $1000 on ebay and our nav retails at $1400 so that is the same price. One thing that you also have to keep in mind is that in order to watch a DVD on the Eclipse you must remove the Nav disc. Not a big deal unless your on a long trip and the kids want to watch a movie in the back seat and you want to use the nav. Also if you ever damage the disc, you will have to buy a new one. At $450, that's my estimate based on what ours retails for, that's alot of money. Whatever choice you make you will be getting a great product. Just make sure that the unit your buying will be able to the stuff you want now and if you want to add anything to it later.

I don't want to mooch to much of the orginal thread.
Thanks for the information on the Eclipse unit, I have not seen one at my local shop as of yet and truley was going off my previous experience with Eclipse. However.
I'm highly impressed with the Kenwood unit.
The wifey gave the go ahead last night, so I'm going to move on it soon.
As for Nav. Touch screen is the only way to go for me.
I have 02 TL3.2s (Acura) with it and totally dig it.

I appreciate input I was able to get on this thread.
Thanks.

Good Luck.
Now for someone to build some kick pods for me and my Dynaudio
X-360 mids and tweets.


hmmmm
oh the time and money I need.. :cool:

Ndcent1, do you know if it is possible to hook up my 04 DC Steering Wheel audio controls to the Kenwood DDX7015?


Longboarder,

I too have the 7015 (just finished installing it last week). PAC makes an interface unit that you hook to the wires from the steering wheel controls and then it "learns" from your remote for your 7015 and through a IR port that you install within sight of your 7015 it will control it (PAC SWI-X). JUST today my PAC unit was delivered and I got it installed about 2 hours ago. The great thing about it is you can make the steering wheel buttons do ANYTHING your remote will do. I changed my "Mode" button to Play/Pause. The track back button does not work very well for trying to go back a track (works fine for going to the beginning of the track you are on), I think it is more the 7015 than the PAC unit (you have to mash the back button quickly several times for it to actually go back even on the 7015 touchscreen or remote, on the steering wheel it just wont do it). This is not a big deal at all in the big picture, how often do you really care about going BACK anyway? Forward is way more important and if you are like me you are buying your favorite artists in concert and WATCHING and listening to that rather than plain old music. In that case you just hit the dvd menu botton and scroll to the song you want to play. I had a little trouble finding a place to put the IR transmitter and settled on putting it in the overhead map light "console" area. I extended the IR wire using speaker wire and it works just fine.

The instructions are pretty easy IF YOU READ THEM CAREFULLY and SLOWLY! I skipped some things because it seemed like I was supposed to and skipped an important step. I called tech support and talked to Joe, he was very helpfull and patient with an annoying caller like me. : )

FYI, I got mine from Crutchfield for $69.99 plus shipping and it showed up in 2 days. They will tell you that this unit does NOT work with the Tundra but it does. The instructions included with the unit in plain English list the Tundra. I told Joe (at PAC) to make sure they let Crutchfield know so more folks will buy these!

If any of you guys have any questions about anything with the 7015 or the PAC unit let me know, I will be glad to help any way I can.

-zboyblue

DDX7015 in my Sequoia with a Merta 70-8113 adapter. Utilizing factory JBL amp and speakers. It sounds MUCH better than the stock deck.

John

DDX7015 in my Sequoia with a Merta 70-8113 adapter. Utilizing factory JBL amp and speakers. It sounds MUCH better than the stock deck.

John

Man I wish I would have known there was such an adapter. I could have listened to it that way before replacing all the speakers, installing amps, etc.

I googled "Merta 70-8113" and didn't find anything, do you have a link to somewhere I could check it out? You might want to post it in a new thread too so that people know it is an option.

-zboyblue

For those looking for some info on the AVN 2454, I own the piece and had the DDX7015 previous to it. The AVN piece is amazing. It has the fastest internal processor of any navigation unit on the market today. It is by far the easiest to use Nav. system i've ever used and would recommend it to anyone looking for a Navigation system. It bolts right up to the Tundra w/o any modifications, beautiful fit. I have also used the Kenwood Nav. system before. It does work well, just not as good and responsive as the Eclipse. As far as the retail on the AVN, someone stated it was 2499$ I know we sell it for 2199$ so I could help someone out there if they want one. One major drawback to both of the units is the sound quality. Both of the units will require the use of some type of external sound processor for those looking for high sound quality. Kenwood makes their own that is compatible with the DDX, i'm not sure about Eclipse's processor being compatible. However for around the same price of the Kenwood processor, you can get an even better processor for the Eclipse piece by Audio Control. The DQX. With that piece, you'll have all the sound quality you'll ever need.

The Kenwood and the Eclipse I believe, use the same Navigation software made by Denso and GDT. As far as the processor goes, we have a brand new Nav system, KNA-DV4100 that is even faster than our previous one. Right now there is a package deal that includes the DDX and the new Nav system for $2400.00 and the 2 things that you will gain are first is that you never have to remove the Nav disc to watch a movie and second, the Eclipse only has a .8 volt preout section. The Kenwood comes with 2 volt preouts and if you add the P901 processor you will get 5 volt preouts, Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro-Logic 2 decoding. While the Audio Control is a great piece and you can't go wrong with it, The P901 processor also has 24 bit processing, 9 selectable x-over freqs for the front and rear, 4 for the sub, 12, 18, or 24db slopes for the x-overs and a 4 band parametric EQ. The great thing is that it is all controlled from the deck. No need to have any thing else mounted to your dash or have to go to the back to make changes. Would I recommend the Eclpise unit to anyone? You bet!! It's a great unit and you can't go wrong with it. No matter which route you go, you will be getting a great product....

Man I wish I would have known there was such an adapter. I could have listened to it that way before replacing all the speakers, installing amps, etc.

I googled "Merta 70-8113" and didn't find anything, do you have a link to somewhere I could check it out? You might want to post it in a new thread too so that people know it is an option.

-zboyblue


The unit sounds REALLY good with the stock JBL components. Certainly good enough for my wife and kids :)

The part is over a year old, I have no idea why so many are still seeking it...

John

Man I wish I would have known there was such an adapter. I could have listened to it that way before replacing all the speakers, installing amps, etc.

I googled "Merta 70-8113" and didn't find anything, do you have a link to somewhere I could check it out? You might want to post it in a new thread too so that people know it is an option.

-zboyblue

Check Metra > http://www.metraonline.com/index.aspx

http://www.blitzsafe.com/

http://www.pie.net/index.htm

http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=40 - for ipod icelink adapter