Product Description
Nothing's cooler than browsing through your playlists by viewing album art on a touchscreen receiver, and Kenwood's DDX318 DVD receiver offers unparalleled iPod control. Use Kenwood's iPod cable to plug your player into the receiver, then use the 6.1" screen to take charge. You'll see song and artist info displayed in large characters so you can see what's currently playing or find the perfect song in a flash.
| List Price: | $600.00 |
| Price: | $349.99 |
| as of Fri, 22 Feb 2013 07:13:19 GMT ***Remember, deals price on this item for sale just for limited time*** | |
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #48798 in Car Audio or Theater
- Brand: Kenwood
- Model: DDX318
- Dimensions: 7.63" h x 10.25" w x 12.00" l,
- Native resolution: 1X1
Features
- 6.1" double-DIN touchscreen DVD/CD receiver with variable color button illumination
- 50W x 4 channels
- AM/FM tuner
- Plays JPEG, MPEG1 & MPEG2 files on CD, DVD or USB
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
By Surchand R. Kalicharan
I purchased this unit to replace my Pioneer AVIC N1 unit. I installed it without a hitch. I have absolutely no background in automotives or car audio but with the use of a service manual to aid me in disassembling and removing the current head unit I had this one installed in about 3 hours. I don't know if that's long or short but I had to cut and splice every wire in the back of this unit because the installer that put in the Pioneer unit make a COMPLETE mess. If you have a stock unit you are replacing definitely get the OEM wiring harness to fit this new unit in, or any unit as a matter of fact. I would how every recommend you have a professional install it. The only reason I didn't have too much trouble was because I do have 10 years experience in computer repair and several years experience in electrical installation so being technologically inclined has helped me greatly.
This unit is EXTREMELY easy to use. I picked this mainly because Kenwood is a brand I trust and have used in other vehicles. I also picked it because it was a fairly priced double-din unit with a DVD player. I'm not a huge fan of the single din or motorized touch screens. The volume control light can also change colors so I had it changed to match the color of my console lights so that was kind of cool. Back to ease of use, very very very easy to use touch screen interface. You want to listen to the radio? Touch radio. Want to use the navigation? Press navi! The built in EQ is also very easy to use with quite a few presets and options to change balance/fade and cross over frequencies.
One thing I really love about this unit is the iPod interface. For some reason I can't get the unit to work with just an AUX cable, there is a jack in the front that says AV in but plugging that cable alone into my iPod does not work. There is still a few things that I don't know about this unit but I will review what I do know. I have an iPhone 4S and the way I get it to work is plugging the data cable into the usb port located at the front of the unit and then a short AUX cable from the iphone to the AV in on the unit. You have the option to control the music (play pause stop and skip) from the iPod or the head unit. You can go through your whole iPod on the head unit using the touch interface. All of you music is displayed and sorted into folders based on song, album, or artist. If I'm not mistaken the unit also recognizes iPod playlists (I will have to double check that).
Navigation: I DONT have the navigation unit for this head unit, YET. I do have a portable Garmin Nuvi unit that still functions very well. As soon as that kicks it I will DEFINITEY purchase the added navigation unit for my head unit. Kenwood uses Garmin for their navigation units which is another reason why I picked this head unit out. I'm not a fan of some of the proprietary navigation software's other companies use. I love Garmin and I'm just really comfortable with their systems.
My current setup consists of: The Kenwood DDX318, 2x Alpine SPS-610, 2x Kicker DS65 ( all 4 speakers powered by the head unit), 1x Kenwood Kac-9105D, and 1x MTX TNE212D Dual 12" Sub box (powered by the 9105). All of this is loaded in a 2004 Toyota 4runne Limited. If you take note all of the components are pretty cheap as I'm more of an audiophile at home rather than in the car. I do like some deep clean bass which is why I went with the mtx subs rather than 4 JL 12W's and so on. The mtx's sound, to me, very clean and deep. The head unit ties everything together very nicely. If I don't need bass the head unit has a option to completely turn your subwoofers off. There is a left & right RCA input in the back of the unit for a signal to your subs.
Camera: There is an option for a rearview camera. I don't have one so I cannot test this function out.
USB: There is a usb port on this unit and you are able to load up mp3s to a flash drive and play them directly off of the drive. As for recognizing play lists or folders on the drive, I haven't tests that out.
A quick pro and con list
Pros:
Easy to install
Very easy to use and understand touch screen interface
iPod control works extremely well
USB function is awesome
Cons: (this may not be a con list, more like me complaining)
Bluetooth - for the price should've been included [the upgraded model does have Bluetooth how ever]
No satellite radio - There is no built in Sirius or xm tuner, again my personal opinion is for the price that could've been thrown in
Glare - depending on the time of the day and where you have this unit positioned there can be a VERY BAD glare
That's all I can really think of, and I think that's just me complaining and nitpicking. this is an AMAZING budget unit for moderate amount of bells and whistles. The main reason I went for this was because I don't need Bluetooth or satellite radio anymore I didn't need built in navigation I really didn't need DVD function, I would've gladly swapped DVD function for a 6 disc changer but that's not a huge deal. it's a basic unit with the bare essentials for this day and age.
The bottom line here is if you want something simple and easy to use without breaking the bank this head u nit is the way to go.
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UPDATE AS OF 5/20/2012
Rating dropped to 4 stars simply because the fan died.
Using bal/fade if I fade the music to the rear speakers the headunit has an easier time *it seems*.
Keeping everything centered and higher volumes (around 20-25 max being 35) the unit cuts off.
Since I bought this on Amazon Kenwood wont stand by their warranty and have it repaired, I knew this going in which is why its not less then 4 stars. But minus a star for the fan dieing in 4 months. May have been more who knows, I bought this in Jan and didnt notice the issue (the cutting off) until end of March early April. Since it was pretty cold and I hardly use the HVAC in my car the unit must have been kept cool through ambient air, I assume, but I could be 100% wrong. In any case I will attempt to pull the fan my self and install another, should be a huge job, Ill see if i can find another small fan or use a computer fan some how. There was ample space behind the head unit all wiring was bundled with proper tubing so air space wasnt constricted so I dont think my installation caused the fault.
I still stand by this unit, it does everything i need it to do and I still plan on getting the navigation unit, unless I switch Kenwood units for what ever reason. I am determined to get the fan working to rule out heat issues and then to rule out electrical shorts with the car. So far that doesnt seem to be the case, it runs well on lower volumes when the car first starts but cuts off after 15-20 minutes of the car running. And when i say cuts off I mean the unit reboots.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
By Brax
I found this same model in stores for double the price. After purchasing from amazon and getting installed by a shop I found out a couple things. 1st if you have a vehical with on-star capabilities (like I do), you need to buy a special wire harness so as not to disrupte the functionality of the elecronics in your vehical. I would guess this go's for any after market reciever. Other than that this is a good touch screen reciver with the odd glitch from screen touching. Mabye smaller fingers would be more precise with clicking through options. Also to hook up Ipods you need to purchase a cord that is specific to this reciever. After getting everthing needed, I found this reciver to be worth it.
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