Kenwood DDX 7039 Install

[andrewh Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andrewh]

It looks impressive Rob. Do you need to run with a large memory card?
Can you tell me where you have mounted your GPS antenna?

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

GPS antenna is in the centre of the dash, up against the window.
2gb SD memory card used to load City navigator and Oztopo.

[andrewh Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andrewh]

I got tired of waiting for the new Kenwood models to be released and Ryda had a pretty good deal on the DDX8039 and navigation unit. It arrived today and I've installed the head unit so-far. It certainly made life easier using the wiring adaptor as suggested.
It works very nicely. Just one slight concern: The head-unit makes a reasonably loud humming noise...probably the fan. Do other people with the 6039, 7039 or 8039 hear a similar noise?

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

Ummmmmmm No noise at all from mine

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Nope mine is quiet as a mouse.
Sig do run an ipod with your unit? If so which one. I have been doing lots of reading about compatibility with different gen ipods and touchs'.
Been looking a t a touch but it can't play video thru the 7039. a classic can but it can't do what the touch does! AHHH


:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

I run just a little ipod Nano, Daughter has pluged her ipod video in, and it also works fine. Because I have the 6039, I can not get the graphics on screen though. Kenwood never responded to my many requests as to whether I could upgrade my software. (no USB port on the 6039)

[njclifford Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close njclifford]

Howdy, I have the 7039 and have done a software upgrade via USB. I DO notice some humming....... only really noticable when volume below 5. Besides that, I also have some issues with the iPod - sometimes will not pick it up and have to turn stereo off and back on.

Besides that though, it is a great unit...

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Going away for the weekend so will keep an ear out for the humming.

I think I will get a touch ipod for all the other things it can do and try to get the video to work on it. Might be possible thru the video in on the kenwood.

Be interesting to suss it out.

My old shuffle sometimes works, the swmbo's gen three ipod does not.
The software upgrade means any monochrome ipods won't work anymore.

Found this on the net:
This message is for many of the folks here who have been experiencing trouble with their iPod and Kenwood monitor. We understand the tremendous confusion surrounding iPod compatibility with Kenwood video monitors and apologize for the difficulties you may be having in connecting and operating your iPod. It’s not always a simple and straightforward process to get these things working together. Let’s try to navigate the connectivity jungle and help bring some much needed clarity to this.

First, determine what kind of iPod you have, and make sure it is running the very latest version of its firmware from Apple. The following link will help you identify the type of iPod you have. Be sure to scroll down past the chart to the images and descriptions below the chart to determine which iPod you have:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61688

Use your iTunes software to make sure you have the latest firmware on your iPod. Here’s a CNET article that will help you if you’re not sure how to do this:

http://www.cnet.com/4520-7899_1-6390313-1.html

Next, determine which model year of Kenwood video monitor you have. If you have a DNX-7100, a DDX-8019, DDX-7019, KVT-819DVD or KVT-719DVD, you have a 2007 model year. The DDX-8039 is also a 2007 model, although it’s an overseas model and not sold in the US.

If you have a DNX-8120, DDX-812, DNX-7120, DDX-712, DNX-5120, DDX-512, or KVT-512, you have a 2008 model year.

Now that you know what type of iPod you have and what model year of Kenwood monitor you have, there are a number of different compatibility scenarios. If your Kenwood video monitor is a 2007 model year, then the following scenarios apply:

If you are connecting an iPod with a monochrome display or an iPod Photo, you cannot connect it through the USB iPod cable. You will need to use a KCA-iP500 adapter that plugs into the Kenwood monitor’s CD changer port. The iPod Shuffle is the only exception – it is not compatible with any of Kenwood’s iPod control solutions.
If you have an iPod with a color display (except iPod Photo), you will need the KCA-iP300V Kenwood iPod control cable to connect your iPod to the Kenwood video monitor.
Here’s where it gets a little tricky. If you have an iPod Classic, iPod Nano 3rd Generation, iPod Touch, or iPhone, you will need to update the firmware of your 2007 Kenwood video monitor in order for the iPod to work properly using the KCA-iP300V cable. To get the firmware update, go to Kenwood’s support website (http://www.kenwood.com/usb/info_program_en.html) and click on the iPod images to get to the update page. You’ll be downloading a zipped file. Unzip it, and you’ll find a firmware update along with an instructions document. Load only the firmware update itself onto a USB thumb drive. Make sure no other files are on the thumb drive you use. Follow the instructions document to complete the update. Please do not perform this update unless you have an iPod Classic, iPod Nano 3rd Generation, iPod Touch, or iPhone. Performing this update for use with an older iPod may cause some of the control functions to stop working properly.
Please note the following: The Kenwood video monitors will only play audio files from the iPhone and iPod Touch, not video files. Also, all of the latest generation of iPods (Classic, Nano 3rd Gen, iPod Touch, iPhone), should display album art on screen. If they don't, you may need to go to the "Advanced" menu in iTunes, choose "Get Album Artwork", then resync your iPod.
If your Kenwood video monitor is a 2008 model year, then the following scenarios apply:
1. If you have an iPod with a monochrome display or an iPod Photo, there is no way to control your iPod with a 2008 Kenwood video monitor.

2. If you have an iPod with a color display (except iPod Photo), you will need the KCA-iP300V Kenwood iPod control cable to connect your iPod to the Kenwood video monitor.

3. The firmware in the 2008 Kenwood video monitors is compatible with the iPod Classic, iPod Nano 3rd Generation, iPod Touch, or iPhone and should support album art. You will only get audio but no video playback on iPod Touch and iPhone. Kenwood doesn’t currently have a firmware update available that fixes the iPhone/iPod Touch video playback yet and there is currently no word on when that might be available.

4. One of the best reasons to buy Kenwood products from Crutchfield is their outstanding Product Support. If you’re still having trouble with your iPod and Kenwood video monitor and you bought the Kenwood monitor from Crutchfield, please give them a call at 1-800-955-9091.
Kristin Brown
Eastern Region Training Manager
Kenwood USA Corp

Might be of some interest.

[andrewh Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andrewh]

I've confirmed the humming is from the fan. It's only audible when things are quiet in the car. I can't hear it when travelling, so will leave it for awhile and see if it changes. Thanks for your replies.

Now that I've finished installing my DDX8039, I've tried playing my ipod photo through the USB connection (KCA-iP300V cable). The article above says this ipod needs a connection through the cd changer plug with a different cable, which would undoubtedly make it work better, but I've found that after a short delay, it will play the ipod as a USB connection. It doesn't give the full ipod control, but will work.

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

Strahan,

Great article, but still no joy for me and my DDX-6039 There must be a way of updating my software, maybe through bthe ipod adapter? I need to find someone at Kenwood Australia who will speak with me.

[andrewh Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andrewh]

Having fitted my DDX-8039 a month or so back I thought it was time to look at getting the steering wheel controls working. Pac-audio make various steering wheel control interfaces. I bought their SWI-JACK on US Ebay Motors listings for around $80 delivered. It's a programmable interface that will do the job for a number of radios and most vehicles, including the Kenwood in the Prado. The fitting instructions are comprehensive. Just follow the instructions for the Lexus GX as the Prado isn't listed.
When using the steering wheel controls, there is a very slight delay, but it works very well

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Wish I had sterring wheel controls.

Been looking further into the ipod situation. I said that the Touch video won't work through the ipod cable..... but it will if you use the video input cable and an adapter.

Best of both worlds!

Now just have to wait till early June to see if there is any suprises from the WWDC.

Anyone synched an iphone with their unit?

[andrewh Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andrewh]

I have the Kenwood (Garmin) GPS add-on for the Kenwood head unit and have now mastered downloading waypoints using the Garmin Mapsource software and /or the POI downloader. I've also tried downloading routes from Mapsource, which appears to work OK at the computer end, but the GPS doesn't recognise the new routes. It seems that the GPS may not have download recognition, so the routes have to be created on the GPS. Has anyone had any success downloading routes to the GPS?

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Re: Kenwood DDX 7039 Install

Just a quick update:
I have installed the Apple composite cable to the RCA audio inputs and the video in. Can now watch all videos off my iPhone in the car!
All music works fine as well but there is no control from the head unit. With the iphone in cover flow mode its not really a problem to select songs though.
Photos on your phone or ipod can also be shown and come up quite well.

The cable also has a usb input which charges phone as well. All in all a top bit of kit!

Beware of where you purchase the cable from. I bought mine for $35 but i have seen them at a big hifi outlet for $79 :shock: :shock:

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

Re: Kenwood DDX 7039 Install

Thats great news. I have now upgraded to an iphone as well. What cable do I go shopping for? I hope there is the same connection on the 6039. I have a feeling I used the video and audio in, for my reversing camera? can you recall if there wwas more than one input on the back of the unit, I just can not remember. I have previously been using the Kenwood 'ipod' interface box, which plugged into the CD stacker input. Can I now dispose of this as well?