iPod integration

Re: THE UPDATE FROM KENWOOD IS HERE!!!

Maxima 23 — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:42:06 GMT

How many numbers are in the serial number? I have the box but wasn't sure which one to use. I also bought it factory refurbished, I'm not sure if those are numbers for the factory put on or not.

Re: Kenwood dnx7200 ipod firmware Update

snuffmuffler — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:59:10 GMT

I see it's been a couple of months but do you still need it? I have 1.9zip.

email me if you need it

zodoor@netscape.net

Re: Kenwood dnx7200 ipod firmware Update

firthy — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:01:08 GMT

Hi has anyone got the latest Ipod firmware update for the DNX 7200 that they could send me; my unit came pre-installed in my car and didn't come with the serial number on the maual; it is a very difficult and expensive job getting my dealer to remove the unit from the car to get the serial number i need.

Thanks

Richard

For those of you with Ipod video issues

RolandX — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:58:29 GMT

I made an interesting discovery last week. The KVT-719DVD (very similar to DNX7100) has outstanding MPEG/AVI quality through their DVD player. Frustrated with the Ipod video issues, I decided to burn my MPEG and AVI videos onto a DVD-R and was very impressed with the video and audio quality, as opposed to being bottlenecked by the Ipod video's resolution, lack of features, and MP4 requirements. You can play your MPEGs and AVIs in random mode, the display looks fantastic, you don't need to convert your files to MP4, and if you turn the car off in the middle of a video, it picks right back up where you left off when you start the car again. Another plus is that you can easily switch between the Ipod audio source and the DVD video source without having to fumble through menus and without losing your place in a random Ipod playlist.

The only shortcoming is no support for WMV files, but a quick convert takes care of that problem.

I'm excited.

Cheers

Re: New 160gb iPod Classic and Kenwood

gonzz — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 20:05:33 GMT

I just bought a ipod new 4gb video. I can't play it on my DNX710EX unit. I have firnmware V 1.0.4 and tried to update the firmware to 1.0.7 but I can't see the update button I need. I see software version but nothing below it. Any help?

Re: New 160gb iPod Classic and Kenwood

Uccello — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:44:51 GMT

this is so frustrating....

Re: New 160gb iPod Classic and Kenwood

RolandX — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:18:23 GMT

gravity242:

Without their dev kit at my fingertips I wouldn't dare try flashing it with a modified firmware. I wouldn't want to use my $1000+ unit as a guinea pig. If Kenwood won't help us on this, I really think we're just stuck. Keep that in mind before you buy another Kenwood product.

I work in the software industry and I know how software support can be a pain, especially for a non-software company. But we're not talking about low-end units here. I find it hard to swallow that Kenwood is not supporting issues with their CURRENT, FLAGSHIP multimedia model. Looks like my next entertainment system will be made by Alpine or Pioneer.

Re: New 160gb iPod Classic and Kenwood

gravity242 — Sat, 10 May 2008 22:29:38 GMT

RolandX:
Can we get our hands on the software and make the changes ourselves? As I stated in a previous post, I am willing to bet that the video resume feature would be fixed by simply allowing the head unit more time to receive the video signal from the Ipod.

You're probably right, but unfortunately Kenwood only has distributed the software in binary form and I believe they have a license clause prohibiting reverse engineering of the unit. It looks like they will mail you a CD containing the source code to the GPL software they used to make the unit, although I don't think that would help much in the grand scheme of things. They only do that because the GPL requires it.

Without their dev kit at my fingertips I wouldn't dare try flashing it with a modified firmware. I wouldn't want to use my $1000+ unit as a guinea pig. If Kenwood won't help us on this, I really think we're just stuck. Keep that in mind before you buy another Kenwood product.

Slightly off-topic, but speaking of DNX7100 bugs not fixed by the firmware update, the HD Radio display of song info is still broken apparently. Some guy posted a Youtube video of it here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=qxnR4CLd0RU&feature=related

I was looking for the answer on the HD Radio bug and wanted to pass it along. Keep that in mind if you decide to upgrade to HD Radio. I'm sure Kenwood won't be fixing that either.

Re: New 160gb iPod Classic and Kenwood

RolandX — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:30:21 GMT

Can we get our hands on the software and make the changes ourselves? As I stated in a previous post, I am willing to bet that the video resume feature would be fixed by simply allowing the head unit more time to receive the video signal from the Ipod.

Re: New 160gb iPod Classic and Kenwood

freshster — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:28:33 GMT

gravity242:
Thank you for checking on this, freshster. It seems we know Kenwood's position on the issue now. It certainly would be nice if they would allow us to put the older firmware back now that we have confirmed a definite problem with the new firmware. I went back through the instructions for the firmware update and can not find any warnings about this update essentially breaking existing features. It's a shame Kenwood doesn't seem to want to help the people who spent over $1000 on their products. I'm a developer myself and I can't think of why this would be such a difficult request. We're not asking for any amazing new features--just a return to the original functionality we once enjoyed. I'd be happy just to put the old firmware back in place at this point.

I suppose this will be a lesson learned and I will certainly it in mind on future purchases.

My sentiments exactly.
I also asked them how I can downgrade the firmware on my head unit.
Below is the full conversation we had through email (minus my personal info).
Guess I will be paying them again just so they can downgrade my firmware to a more "feature rich" version.

I hope you find this as interesting as I did...

-----Original Message-----
From: <Mod Edit: Removed E-mail Address>
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 12:50 AM
To:
Subject: RE: WEB: Software

Thank you for contacting Kenwood USA Corporation. As an authorized agent for Kenwood, we are responding to your recent email inquiry.

For repair information, such as prices and service time, you will need to contact the server center itself, they will have that information. As for upgrades, Kenwood doesnt trade in or upgrade units.

Please feel free to contact us again with any additional questions.

Kevin H.
Product Support Representative
Kenwood USA Authorized Call Center
PO Box 22745
Long Beach, CA 90801-5745

Phone: 1-800-536-9663 <Mod Edit: Removed Reps Direct Extensions>
Fax: 1-559-324-4594
Email: http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Contact

------------------Original Message-----------------
Hi Kevin,
Thank you for your speedy response!
I will contact the Service Center as you suggested.

Just a couple quick questions...

1) Approximately how much should I expect for the cost of downgrading the
firmware on the receiver?
2) Does Kenwood have any sort of unit upgrade path where I can "trade-in" my
DDX8019, KNA-G510, and BT200? Possibly for a DNX8120?

Thanks again.
If nothing else, I can definitely say that the response from Kenwood support
has been very fast.

-----Original Message-----
From: <Mod Edit: Removed E-mail Address>
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 12:05 AM
To:
Subject: RE: WEB: Software

Thank you for contacting Kenwood USA Corporation. As an authorized agent for
Kenwood, we are responding to your recent email inquiry.

There is a way to downgrade your firmware. You will need to send it in to
one of our national service centers. The national service centers are listed
below, please choose the closest to your location and give them a call,
describing the situation and that you would like a firmware downgrade.

Kenwood Authorized Service Center West
17300 Marquardt Avenue
Cerritos, CA 90703-1023
Phone: 562.483.8740
Fax: 562.483.8749

Kenwood Authorized Service Center East
829 Lynnhaven Pkwy, STE 128
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone: 757.340.1702
Fax: 757.340.6809

Kenwood Authorized Service Center Atlantic
400 Morris Ave, STE 102
Denville, NJ 07834
Phone: 973.586.3999
Fax: 973.586.4433

Kenwood Authorized Service Center Hawaii
99-1285 Halawa Valley St. B11
Aiea, HI 96701-5609
Phone: 808.486.5594
Fax: 866.743.5194
msr@hawaii.rr.com

Kenwood Authorized Service Center Puerto Rico
Ave Central 1009
Puerto Nuevo, PR 00920
Phone: 787-781-9570

Please feel free to contact us again with any additional questions.

Kevin H.
Product Support Representative
Kenwood USA Authorized Call Center
PO Box 22745
Long Beach, CA 90801-5745

Phone: 1-800-536-9663
Fax: 1-559-324-4594
Email: http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Contact

------------------Original Message-----------------
Hi Kay,
Thank you for the email response.

It is disheartening to find out that there are no current plans to fix the
issues introduced in version 1.09 of the DDX8019 firmware. I sincerely hope
that this decision is re-thought and support is resumed. Without going into
a long story, I would like to find out if there is a way that I can
downgrade my unit to a recent "stable" version of firmware allowing ipod
video resume functions. My current goal is to sell my ipod classic,
downgrade the DDX8019 firmware, and purchase an old ipod video from ebay.
Could you please let me know if there is a way that I can perform a firmware
downgrade and regain the video resume function?

For further reading, I decided to include the long story below. Please read
when you have time. Thank you...

I have always loved and purchased high-end Kenwood products for every car I
have owned (5 vehicles since 1990). One of my most memorable Kenwood head
units was the first MP3 player made by Kenwood, the eXcelon Z919 that I
purchased in mid 2000. When I purchased the DDX8019 approx. 9 months ago, I
also purchased the iPod cable (KCA-iP300V), the Bluetooth KCA-BT200 and
Navigation KNA-G510 add-on units. This totaled close to $2000. I have been
very happy with everything, until I purchased the 160GB ipod classic. The
ipod classic was the only video ipod available for purchase from Apple (then
and now). I understand that Apple changed the ipod interface when releasing
the new ipods, and Kenwood was caught off guard. Even so, I can't help but
feel slighted that Kenwood is more or less dropping support for the DDX8019,
even while the unit is still under warranty.

In my mind, the name "Kenwood" has always been synonymous with the word
"quality". With many other companies lacking quality in the face of these
economic times, I hold out hope that Kenwood would not follow suit. My past
impulses have always been to buy Kenwood no matter what... the only
question was which Kenwood model to buy. It pains me to say this, but I
really may have to think and compare car audio products from all companies
before I buy in the future. No offense, but I hope that Kenwood support
understands where I am coming from.

To repeat; my goal would be to downgrade the DDX8019 firmware, and purchase
an old ipod video.
Maybe then I will have the setup that I am looking for. Thanks again for
your time.

-----Original Message-----
From: <Mod Edit: Removed E-mail Address>
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 1:32 PM
To:
Subject: RE:WEB: Software

Thank you for contacting Kenwood USA Corporation. As an authorized agent for
Kenwood, we are responding to your recent email inquiry.

We are aware of the issue. Because of the update to allow the newer iPods
to work, some functions were lost. Currently there are no plans to correct
this issue. We may or may not have plans to correct this in the future. We
do not suggest updating this the firmware if you do not have 1 of the newer
iPods.

Please feel free to contact us again with any additional questions.

Kay H.
Product Support Representative
Kenwood USA Authorized Call Center
PO Box 22745
Long Beach, CA 90801-5745

Phone: 1-800-536-9663
Fax: 1-559-324-4594
Email: http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Contact

------------------Original Message-----------------
Email Date:Thu, 1 May 2008 14:19:36 -0700

Area:                Car & Home
Topic:               Software
Product Model:       DDX8019

Subject:
Body:                Hello, I have recently applied the v1.09 firmware
update to my DDX8019 head unit. Now the unit will not resume video playback
from my ipod after the vehicle is turned off and back on again; it restarts
at the beginning of the mp3 playlist instead. Previously, it used to resume
playback fine with my original firmware version (I believe it was v1.01).
Please let me know if there is another planned update that will fix this
issue, or if there is another way I could get this resolved. Thank you for
your time.

Re: New 160gb iPod Classic and Kenwood

gravity242 — Sun, 04 May 2008 14:25:03 GMT

freshster:

We are aware of the issue. Because of the update to allow the newer iPods to work, some functions were lost. Currently there are no plans to correct this issue. We may or may not have plans to correct this in the future. We do not suggest updating this the firmware if you do not have 1 of the newer iPods.

Thank you for checking on this, freshster. It seems we know Kenwood's position on the issue now. It certainly would be nice if they would allow us to put the older firmware back now that we have confirmed a definite problem with the new firmware. I went back through the instructions for the firmware update and can not find any warnings about this update essentially breaking existing features. It's a shame Kenwood doesn't seem to want to help the people who spent over $1000 on their products. I'm a developer myself and I can't think of why this would be such a difficult request. We're not asking for any amazing new features--just a return to the original functionality we once enjoyed. I'd be happy just to put the old firmware back in place at this point.

I suppose this will be a lesson learned and I will certainly it in mind on future purchases.

Re: New 160gb iPod Classic and Kenwood

freshster — Sun, 04 May 2008 06:03:58 GMT

I sincerely hope that Kenwood makes an effort to release a new update for our head units. These things are less then a year old and are still covered by the original two year warranty. It is unbelievable that they would release v1.09 for compatibility reasons and break other functions in the process. Personally, I wish they had not spent the time and effort to update our "outdated" head units for the 6th generation ipod. Then they could have spent more time on enhancing the firmware for use with the 5th generation ipod only. At least 6 months ago I would have known where I stand; then I could have bought a 5th generation ipod instead, or sold my DDX8019 and (hate to say it) upgraded to a more "currently outdated" model like the DNX8120. I wonder how long it will take before they no longer support the new models...

I have pasted a copy of the email I received from Kenwood regarding the v1.09 and ipod video resume problem. Take it with a grain of salt.

-----Original Message-----

From: <Mod Edit: Removed E-mail Address>
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 1:32 PM
Subject: RE:WEB: Software

Thank you for contacting Kenwood USA Corporation. As an authorized agent for Kenwood, we are responding to your recent email inquiry.

We are aware of the issue. Because of the update to allow the newer iPods to work, some functions were lost. Currently there are no plans to correct this issue. We may or may not have plans to correct this in the future. We do not suggest updating this the firmware if you do not have 1 of the newer iPods.

Please feel free to contact us again with any additional questions.

Kay H.
Product Support Representative
Kenwood USA Authorized Call Center
PO Box 22745
Long Beach, CA 90801-5745

Phone: 1-800-536-9663 <Mod Edit: Removed Rep's Direct Extension>
Fax: 1-559-324-4594
Email: http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Contact

------------------Original Message----------------- Email Date:Thu, 1 May 2008 14:19:36 -0700

Area:                Car & Home
Topic:               Software
Product Model:       DDX8019
Subject:

Body:                Hello, I have recently applied the v1.09 firmware update to my DDX8019 head unit. Now the unit will not resume video playback from my ipod after the vehicle is turned off and back on again; it restarts at the beginning of the mp3 playlist instead. Previously, it used to resume playback fine with my original firmware version (I believe it was v1.01).

Please let me know if there is another planned update that will fix this issue, or if there is another way I could get this resolved. Thank you for your time.

Re: New 160gb iPod Classic and Kenwood

trpltongue — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:40:18 GMT

Just a quick update regarding cover art display.

As I've mentioned, I have a 3rd Gen Ipod Nano and DNX7100 both with the latest firmware.

I was having issues with cover art not displaying on the 7100 even though it clearly showed on the Ipod. I did some digging and found that windows media player was pointing to my Itunes music directory as it's default library directory and had downloaded cover art for all my albums. So in each album folder there were 3 or 4 jpgs, 1 for large album art, 1 for small album art, and a couple others. At any rate, I went through and deleted all the windows media player downloaded cover art and then went into Itunes and told Itunes to download my cover art.

There were some issues and art it couldn't find. I manually added the art I needed to by using the following technique:

Go to Amazon and find the large album art (it pops up in it's own window)

Go to Itunes, select all songs in the album, right clicking 'get info', choosing the cover art tab

Back to Amazon and click and drag the art and drop it in the 'cover art' tab in Itunes

I tunes automatically associated the art to all songs, it actually embeds the art into the metadata so all programs can use it. Unfortunately, Itunes does not do this for the cover art that it automatically downloads. Instead it downloads the art and stores it in a different directory with a cross-reference for each track. This is done to save space. I'd prefer to have the option of where to store it (in the metadata, or in a separate folder) but that's not currently an option.

Anyhow, after cleaning up the windows media player art and downloading new art, everything works as it should on my Kenwood now. I just wish I had some detail up front about how the 7100 handles cover art, rather than guessing. It took quite a bit of time to clear out all the cover art and I was just doing it, hoping it would work.

Hope that helps someone.

Russell

Re: New 160gb iPod Classic and Kenwood

Don — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:03:38 GMT

I just wanted to drop in a quick note here to let you know about Kris' availability for responses: She'll be working in sunny Puerto Rico (but hopefully she'll find some time to play ) all this week and will likely not be able to get a response out until she returns. Thanks in advance for your patience.

Re: New 160gb iPod Classic and Kenwood

gravity242 — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:50:39 GMT

First, I want to thank Kenwood Kris his detailed message about how to upgrade our devices. My experience with the DNX7100 and 160GB iPod classic has been largely positive and I've already taken all of the steps he has listed. Right now, my main complaint is that I seem to have lost some functionality since the Kenwood firmware update. Prior to the update, my iPod Classic would automatically pause when I switched to another source. (tuner, for example) It no longer does this. Even more troublesome is that if I manually pause the iPod, switch to the tuner, turn the car off and then back on, the iPod will automatically unpause even though it's not the selected source. When I switch back to the iPod, I find it has lost the place I paused it at. This can be very annoying if I'm trying to listen to a podcast. It's only happened since the firmware update.

Another thing I'd like to point out is this:

Kenwood Kris:
Please do not perform this update unless you have an iPod Classic, iPod Nano 3^rd 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.

I don't recall reading this in any of the upgrade documents from Kenwood's website. Maybe I missed it, but I find it to be a very important tidbit of information. Some people have multiple iPods and probably would like to know this up front. A lot of us here have a background in computers and are unaccustomed to a firmware update removing functionality from a product. In my case, I have the latest 160GB Classic and even I lost a small but important piece of functionality with the update. So, my question is: Is there a way to remove the update or roll-back to the older firmware? With the original firmware, I was only missing a cosmetic feature (the album art) and after the update I'm now missing an important functional component.

Kenwood Kris:

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.

Agreed. They have made great strides in getting a response from Kenwood. Can you tell us if there will ever be another update for the DNX7100 or the capability to roll back the existing update?

Thanks for your time.