Kenwood DNX-5120

The Kenwood model DNX-5120 Navigation Receiver is a "full-featured Entertainment and Navigation system with USB Direct Control for iPods or other portable music devices." [ [http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertainment/Mobile_Video_n_Navigation/Navigation/DNX5120 Kenwood - DNX5120 ] ] It features built-in Garmin GPS navigation and includes maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Other prominent features include a 6.1” LCD touchscreen, variable-color illumination of the front panel controls, and two RCA 2V Preouts for system expansion.

General Features

* in-dash DVD/CD player with internal amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
* fits double-DIN (4" tall) dash openings
* 6.1" LCD 16:9 touchscreen display with a TFT active matrix system (resolution of 480 x 234 with 336,960 total pixels - 480H x 234V x RGB). The screen is non-glare and smudge-resistant.
* Front-loading disc-slot.
* Built-in Garmin Navigation Board with USA, Canada, PR, Alaska and Hawaii Mapping - turn-by-turn directions with spoken street names, and over 6 million of Points of Interest (maps use built-in memory and do not require a disc or other media to be inserted to use). The Garmin navigation interface is very similar to that of other Garmin devices such as the Garmin nuvi.
* Advanced GUI with Variable Illumination and Customizable Start-up
* USB Direct Control - allows connection of a thumb drive, hard drive, or other USB storage device
* iPod Ready - allows direct, speedy control of an iPod, allowing access to music and video (claimed to be the fastest Access to iPod Audio/Video) (requires optional KCA-iP300V cable)
* 2 2V RCA Preouts (F,R/Sub)
* Front Aux Input
* Rear audio/video input
* Rear reverse camera input (if desired, the unit can automatically switch to the rear camera when the car is put into reverse)
* Bluetooth Hands-Free Unit Ready (Requires Optional KCA-BT200)
* Satellite Radio Ready (Requires Optional CA-SR20V + Sirius SC-C1 Tuner or KCA-XM100V + XM Mini Tuner)
* HD Radio Ready (requires optional HD radio adapter)
* live traffic and weather data available with optional TMC receiver
* plays DVD-Video, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-/+R DL, CD-Audio, CD-R/RW, CD-ROM, DTS-CD, and VCD discs
* plays AAC-LC (.M4a), MP3, WMA, JPEG, MPEG (MPEG1 or MPEG2) files
* allows viewing of JPEGs on CD, DVD, or USB
* 3-band EQ with six preset tone curves - the EQ may be set individually for different audio or video sources
* outputs: 4-channel preamp outputs (front, rear), A/V output, standard speaker outputs
* compatible with most factory steering wheel audio controls (adapter required)
* New units come with a 1 year warranty if purchased from an authorized Kenwood dealer
* Display has adjustable brightness and automatically dims with the vehicle headlights are turned on (if the unit is installed properly by connecting the dimmer wire lead to the vehicle dimmer wire) or at a specified time of day determined by the GPS (if installed)
* Allows Customized Background images
* The unit includes 3 buttons in the front of the unit labeled "NAV," SRC," and "FNC." The unit also includesa rotary-dial along the left edge of the screen which can be presssed or turned.
* Button illumination can be manipulated to preset or custom colors.
* The unit may be programmed security code. Once the unit has been programmed with a security code, the code must be entered to use the unit after it has been disconnected from power.
* The front and rear channels may be independently set to separate sources ("Dual Zone"). Volume can be adjusted for each zone independently.
* The GPS antenna includes an attached 16.5' cable
* Using an optional FM Traffic Receiver, the navigation system can display and utilize traffic information in select cities.
* Optional remote control is available
* Advanced Crossover system allows tailoring of system with selectable crossover points for all channels

Firmware and Map Software

* Kenwood released an update to the DNX-5120 firmware on September 24, 2008. The current firmware version is 1.5.1, and the firmware can be downloaded from Kenwood's website [http://www.kenwood.com/cs/ce/mm/firmware/2008/eng.html here] .
* Garmin released an update to the Navigation software for the DNX-5120 on June 24, 2008. The current map firmware version is 2.40, and the firmware can be downloaded [https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/downloadsUpdates.jsp?product=010-00699-00 here] .
* Garmin released the 2009 map update called "City Navigator® North America NT 2009", which can be ordered from the Garmin website [https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=15528 here] . The updates come on DVD media which is inserted into the DNX-5120 unit which automatically updates after the required activation (an activation code must be entered by entering information into the appropriate fields on the [https://my.garmin.com/maps/unlockKenwoodMaps.htm Garmin activation webpage] . The map update process takes over one hour to complete. [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437286/page/0/fpart/8#Post1410771 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] See below for more information on the 2009 maps.
* Users of the optional KCA-BT200 bluetooth module (released in cooperation with Parrot) may download and install the latest firmware, version 1.60 using the links at the bottom of the page [http://www.kenwood.com/bt/information/eng160.html here] .

Issues, Tips, and Workarounds

USB Support

According to the Kenwood website [http://www.kenwood.com/audiofile/dnx5120/english.html Kenwood Corporation | Technical Information ] ] , the DNX-5120 has the following limitations on files and folders stored on USB devices:
* Maximum number of folder layers: 8
* Maximum number of folders (per device): 255
* Maximum number of files (per folder): 255
* Maximum number of files (per device): 15000
* Maximum number of files per playlist: 7000

However, users have found, so far, that the device is limited to a total of 135 folders [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437286/page/0/fpart/7#Post1391810 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] , including all subfolders. Folders outside of this limit are inaccessible and appear in the folder list, but they are "grayed out." This limitation does not appear to apply to iPods.

Some users have also had issues with the USB device being recognized on startup. If the device is attached when the car is turned on, the device is sometimes not recognized [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1437646&page=0#Post1437646 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437694/page/0/fpart/11#Post1432787 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] .

Another issue with USB playback is that the device currently does not allow fast-forward or rewind of the current playing track (this is possible during playback on other media, such as CD or DVD). Full tracks may be advanced or reviewed; however, the seeking is not enabled through the currently playing track [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437694/page/0/fpart/13#Post1442470 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] .

2009 Maps

Some users have reported contacting Garmin directly and being offered a free update to the 2009 map software [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437646/page/0/fpart/11#Post1430725 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] . However, it appears that such offers from Garmin have diminished recently [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437646/page/0/fpart/12#Post1434990 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] .

Album Art

Currently, the album art for MP3 files will only be displayed on the DNX-5120 if the album art is embedded or encoded into the MP3 file rather than including a jpeg picture file in the folder with the files [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437646/page/0/fpart/5#Post1377046 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] . Many music organization or mp3 tag editing software packages can store the album art this way, and users have reported MediaMonkey and tagclinic as working solutions.

Video Size and Framerate

According to the Kenwood website, the DNX-5120 has the following size and bitrate limitations on video file playback

* For MPEG1: Picture size of 352 × 240 or 352 × 288; Max bitrate of 1.5 Mbit/s.
* For MPEG2: Picture size of 720 × 480 or 720 × 576; Max bitrate of 2.0 Mbit/s.

However, users have found the following limitations to be more accurate:

* For MPEG2: 3000 kbit/s ("at 3500 I started studdering") [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437694/page/0/fpart/4#Post1373829 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] .
* CBR vs VBR seems to make a difference. "720x480 @ 3kbps CBR worked fine." "480x480 @ 5kbps CBR worked fine too" [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437694/page/0/fpart/4#Post1375194 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] .

Entering Setup Mode

It is possible to enter setup mode, which can be used to change the startup screen on the DNX-5120, as explained by Kenwood support [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437694/page/0/fpart/6#Post1384221 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] . To enter setup mode:

* If you will be changing the startup image, first connect the USB thumb drive containing image files.
* Press SRC+EJECT, then RESET.

This procedure WILL reset all settings to the factory default settings upon pressing the reset button above. Once in Setup Mode, to change the startup

* Select the OEM
* Select the file you want use.
* When the image is loaded, press Enter.
* Upon startup, your new opening will remain for a few seconds and then switch to Source Select menu.

Safe Mode for Navigation and Viewing Video

The DNX-5120 includes a safe mode feature which disables on-screen navigation and on-screen video unless the vehicle's parking brake is engaged. To function properly, a wire in the DNX-5120 wiring harness must be properly connected to the vehicle's parking brake wire such that the normally positive signal from the wire is grounded when the parking brake is engaged. The DNX-5120 "safe mode" restriction may be overridden by permanently connecting the parking brake wire directly to the ground wire in the harness. The safe mode for navigation may also be (more easily) disabled through options in the DNX-5120 software; however video playback restrictions may not be disabled through software alone.

Custom Backgrounds

You can customize the DNX-5210 with your own wallpaper / image by entering the "User Interface" option in the Setup menu. All you need to do is put the image you would like to use on a USB flash drive and plug it into the 5210's USB port, the image must be JPEG and stored in a folder on the drive. The DNX-5210 will automatically adjust the width and height of the image depending on the aspect ratio. Sometimes you will get black bars on the two sides or on the top and bottom of the screen. If you crop / resize your image to be exactly 480 x 250 pixels, it will fit perfectly to the edges of the screen (even though the actual resolution is 480 x 234, if you load a graphic at the exact resolution, you will see bars at the top and bottom of the screen).

USB Hubs

The DNX-5120 manual states that USB Hubs cannot be used with the DNX-5120; however, one user has reported that a USB Hub was successfully connected allowing the user to use an iPod as well as a USB storage device at the same time [ [http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437694/page/0/fpart/11#Post1432789 SoundDomain: Kenwood DNX5120 Install & Issues ] ] .

HD Radio Presets

When using the HD Radio adapter (KTC-HR200), some users have reported that the radio presets are not saved when the car is turned off and back on again [ [http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14247506 Kenwood KTC-HR200? - Page 2 - AVS Forum ] ] .

References

External links

* http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1437646/page/0/fpart/1 - Discussion of the DNX-5120 at Sounddomain forums}
* http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertainment/Mobile_Video_n_Navigation/Navigation/DNX5120 - the Kenwood USA product page for the DNX-5120
* http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Support/Car_Entertainment_Owners_Manuals/#_ - Kenwood download page for the product manuals and literature for the DNX-5120
* http://www.kenwood.com/cs/ce/ - Kenwood's support page for downloads
* http://www8.garmin.com/products/kenwood/ - Garmin's support page with downloads and updates