New Kenwood DNX-8120 is the $hit!!!!!!!!!

[headhunt3r]

Haha... I'm waiting to have my DDX812 installed too

I can't waittttt!!!!!!!

I'm going to tackle the install myself, and am pretty confident. The only part that I'm iffy about is the steering wheel adapter... Other threads sorta make this install a bit intimidating... are you going to do the adapter yourself kuhan?

[kuhan]

Yes, I'll try to install everything including the steering wheel interface by myself. I'm not sure about the steering wheel interface though. Is there any threads regarding the steering wheel interface? I will start ripping out the car interior and getting power wire from the battery through the firewall and to the amps tomorrow afternoon.
Modified by kuhan at 7:36 PM 2/8/2009

[headhunt3r]

http://forums.altimas.org/zero...78370

I'm going to have my friend take a look at that and tell me what he thinks... It looks sorta complicated though.

I'd like to thank AppleBonker for the awesome FAQ in this section btw

[kuhan]

Yup. It does seem intimidating. Especially when you need to remove the steering wheel and dealing with the airbag as well.

I might deal with this last or forget about it since I don't want to mess around with airbag.

[rjdmmfl1]

Yup. It does seem intimidating. Especially when you need to remove the steering wheel and dealing with the airbag as well.

I might deal with this last or forget about it since I don't want to mess around with airbag.

''you do not need to remove the steering wheel or mess with the airbag to install the steering wheel adapter!

[kuhan]

''you do not need to remove the steering wheel or mess with the airbag to install the steering wheel adapter!

Doc, I have the Z. I found a thread that shows a 350z owner had to remove the steering wheel in order to install the interface, but this was a 04 or 05 model. I wonder if the newer Z is different or that that guy have a base Z without steering wheel controls.

I will find out today when I install the DDX812

[headhunt3r]

How was the install for this deck? I'm still tossed in the air about doing this myself, or paying like 250 to get everything installed professionally... My friend's not too comfortable installing this with me, but I don't see anything that could be overly difficult about this install. I was thinking worse comes to worse I could just leave out the steering wheel adapter to make the install easier for myself.

Looking for some advice from anyone who's done this install! My friend used to work for CarTunes, but that was back in the day, and he's just scared of breaking something in my car cuz it's fairly new. I have only had experience with installing a deck in my old car, 02 Sentra, and that was a piece of cake. Should I tackle this myself? Or should I just pay up and get it done professionally...

BTW, anyone have any idea about the green wire that you need to ground in order to watch video's while the car is in motion? I assume the black wire (ground) is not big enough for the green to hop along on.
Modified by headhunt3r at 2:28 PM 2/10/2009

[rjdmmfl1]

How was the install for this deck? I'm still tossed in the air about doing this myself, or paying like 250 to get everything installed professionally... My friend's not too comfortable installing this with me, but I don't see anything that could be overly difficult about this install. I was thinking worse comes to worse I could just leave out the steering wheel adapter to make the install easier for myself.

Looking for some advice from anyone who's done this install! My friend used to work for CarTunes, but that was back in the day, and he's just scared of breaking something in my car cuz it's fairly new. I have only had experience with installing a deck in my old car, 02 Sentra, and that was a piece of cake. Should I tackle this myself? Or should I just pay up and get it done professionally...

BTW, anyone have any idea about the green wire that you need to ground in order to watch video's while the car is in motion? I assume the black wire (ground) is not big enough for the green to hop along on.

Modified by headhunt3r at 2:28 PM 2/10/2009

I would say that this install ranks about a 2/10 on difficulty! The steering wheel interface would rank at about an 8/10. I've done a few before, and for some reason, I couldn't get Alientracker's to work in his car... but I'm pretty sure that is the result of a bad connection somewhere! You have to use really good 22 Gauge 2 taps to contact those skinny *** factory wires on the factory harness!

But back to the deck install... it really is a pretty straight forward install. The extraneous things would be

1. running the wire for the microphone. Just remove the A-pillar, and attach it there, or mount it on the back portion of the steering wheel, or run it all the way up to where the factory microphone was.

2. MOunting the Navigation GPS antenna. I hide mine inside the dash for a clean install, but they can also be mounted on the top of the dash over in the corner!

3. The green parking brake wire. OK, you will have a number of wires that can ALL be connected to the same ground. Simply find a place to ground a black wire, then T-tap all the rest of the grounds to that grounded wire (including the light green parking brake wire)... and presto you're good to go.

Again, I will admit, the steering wheel adapter is NOT easy, and the correct resistors must be soldered to the correct wires, and it can be a bit difficult. That I would suggest you get a shot to do if you don't feel comfortable. But the rest is NOT that much more difficult than a regular deck install.

--Just match the colors on the harness adapter with the colors on the kenwood harness.

---T-tap the orange/white illumination wire on the kenwood harness to the red/yellow wire on the factory harness

I think those are the only other extraneous things.... let me know hen you plan on doing this install, and shoot me an email, if its this Saturday, sorry I won't be able to help you

[kuhan]

Doc pretty much covered everything.

I got the DDX812 installed today. The wiring was pretty straightforward. The whole process probably took my 2-3 hours for the head unit. I soldered all connections. It was getting dark so I haven't finished terminating the steering wheel interface yet (I still need to solder the resistors). I also haven't ran the BT micro either. I grounded the light green wire (bypass) as well, but I haven't tried to see if it is working or not.

The DDX812 does stick out like 1/4 to 1/2".

I spent about 8 hrs yesterday running amp wires, rca cables, and speaker wires.

Today I spent 10 hours installing Kenwood HU, subwoofers and front speakers (partially). I mounted the driver's front speaker and crossover (DA S600 <- it's huge!!!) because I couldn't get the speaker wires to the doors!!!

I'm trying to run 14 awg speaker wires.

Tomorrow I will try to hook up my 2-channel to power the front speakers to see if they are all working properly.

I'm about 70% done

Doc,

Do you know if the two relays on DDX812/DNX8120 switch ground or hot?There is only 1 wire for each relay so I'm not sure what the unit is actually switching. I'm planning to control my foot well blue leds. Thanks

[headhunt3r]

Ok, I think maybe I'll try to live without the steering wheel adapter for now... have a couple questions for the install (more to come probably).

1. I've purchased the trim piece from Nissan already for the factory look, but that's only the outside piece. I noticed that the Metra kit has interior pieces that hold the deck in place. Do I need this? Or can I reuse the brace that inside already after I remove the factory deck. -Basically, do I need the Metra kit if I already have the outter trim piece?

2. Regarding the ground wire, since you've stated that I need to find a place to ground a black wire, that I have to create this ground myself by tapping it to any part of the chassis? This means that I shouldn't just tap everything on to the black wire that I'll find already there right? I'm just making sure that I'm interpreting this correctly.

I have no idea where the factory microphone is since I don't have the Premium nor Nav package, but I'm sure I can find a place to stick it somewhere. I think the install should be within a week or so, depending on when I can find some time, and when I pick up a wiring harness!

Thank you both kuhan and Doc for the information, you guys are great.

[kuhan]

Quote »1. I've purchased the trim piece from Nissan already for the factory look, but that's only the outside piece. I noticed that the Metra kit has interior pieces that hold the deck in place. Do I need this? Or can I reuse the brace that inside already after I remove the factory deck. -Basically, do I need the Metra kit if I already have the outter trim piece? [/quote]I also bought the Metra kit for my Z, but I reused the OEM brackets and only used the Metra Double-Din faceplate. I don't know about the Altima though.But you need a center panel like this or similar. Actually I'm the seller. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...item=

Quote »2. Regarding the ground wire, since you've stated that I need to find a place to ground a black wire, that I have to create this ground myself by tapping it to any part of the chassis? This means that I shouldn't just tap everything on to the black wire that I'll find already there right? I'm just making sure that I'm interpreting this correctly. [/quote]Yes, any part of the chassis is ground. Just find a screw that is close by and loosen it and screw the Black and light green wires down (black is ground and light green wire is the parking brake). By grounding the light green wire, you bypass the lock out. Now you can watch DVDs while driving!

Quote »I have no idea where the factory microphone is since I don't have the Premium nor Nav package, but I'm sure I can find a place to stick it somewhere. I think the install should be within a week or so, depending on when I can find some time, and when I pick up a wiring harness! [/quote]I'm not sure where to put the Bluetooth microphone either. I'm thinking of the driver's pillar or close the steering wheel. Need more pondering!

[Vital]

---T-tap the orange/white illumination wire on the kenwood harness to the red/yellow wire on the factory harness

The only thing i could not get to work is this I hooked it up (twice, to make sure it's not bad connection) and unit (5120) doesn't respond to brightness knob on the dash!! GRRR!!! Or is it supposed to do something totally different hahahaa!!

[rjdmmfl1]

The only thing i could not get to work is this I hooked it up (twice, to make sure it's not bad connection) and unit (5120) doesn't respond to brightness knob on the dash!! GRRR!!! Or is it supposed to do something totally different hahahaa!!

no, it doesn't respond to the brightness know, it responds to the status of your headlights. When your headlights turn on, the unit can be set to automatically dim. Or you can sync the dim function to that of the navigation unit, so that when the navigation is set to dim, the monitor brigtness will slightly dim also! I hope this makes sense!

Doc,

Do you know if the two relays on DDX812/DNX8120 switch ground or hot?There is only 1 wire for each relay so I'm not sure what the unit is actually switching. I'm planning to control my foot well blue leds. Thanks

I believe it relays hot, it can be set to do a pulse, or continuous on switch!

1. I've purchased the trim piece from Nissan already for the factory look, but that's only the outside piece. I noticed that the Metra kit has interior pieces that hold the deck in place. Do I need this? Or can I reuse the brace that inside already after I remove the factory deck. -Basically, do I need the Metra kit if I already have the outter trim piece?

Thank you both kuhan and Doc for the information, you guys are great.

I'll answer this since Kuhan answered the ground question,

regardung the factory double din kit vs metra, it all depends on the unti you are installing.

If you are installing the DNX5120, you can use the OEM double din kit, but if you are installing the DDX812 or the DNX8120, Iwouldn't advise using the factory douible din kit. THis is because the DDX.DNX units will leave a wierd ugly gap around the edges (you noted earlier that they stick out about 1/4 ~ 1/2 inch) Sticking out is necessary and they do this on EVERY vehicle they are installed in. But with the OEM unit, a gap will remain. With the Metra and schoche kits, that gap is nicely concealed! So I say, if you're instaling the DDX or DNX, use the ENTIRE metra kit, including the sides.

For integrity reasons, you can't use part of the metra kit with the OEM side mounting brackets..I tried this, and the setup lacks proper support!

Ok guys, I'll be on here for one more day, then I'll be gone for about a week, so keep the questions coming for the next 24hrs!

[headhunt3r]

I'm assuming the gap is going to be quite worse than this?

http://forums.altimas.org/zerothread?id=355852

I've got the non-climate control as well, and I just took out my deck + OEM double din kit, and I think I see the gap too, but I'm just not sure how much it should stick out (will give the gap a better look if it didn't stick out as far as I can push it while not installed). If I have to use a Metra kit in its entirety, then I'm going to have to decide whether i want to keep this deck or get one that'll fit nicer w/ the OEM... The Metra just looks too hideously cheap (And I'm not feeling the overlays either )

Ahhh this is causing more grief than I want I think I'm going to try out the weird ugly gap with the OEM just because I think I'd handle that better than the cheap ugly Metra piece...

[rjdmmfl1]

I'm assuming the gap is going to be quite worse than this?

http://forums.altimas.org/zerothread?id=355852

I've got the non-climate control as well, and I just took out my deck + OEM double din kit, and I think I see the gap too, but I'm just not sure how much it should stick out (will give the gap a better look if it didn't stick out as far as I can push it while not installed). If I have to use a Metra kit in its entirety, then I'm going to have to decide whether i want to keep this deck or get one that'll fit nicer w/ the OEM... The Metra just looks too hideously cheap (And I'm not feeling the overlays either )

Ahhh this is causing more grief than I want I think I'm going to try out the weird ugly gap with the OEM just because I think I'd handle that better than the cheap ugly Metra piece...

well, the gap that Applebonker was speaking of deals with trying to use the facory nav double din unit with an aftermarket deck.

The gap I'm talking about does NOT look that bad, its just that you can see the bottom, top, and sides of the kenwood unit due to the way it stick out a bit. I believe with a dremel and some modification of this accesory install piece that comes with the kenwood unit, you could get it to fit in the factory piece without seeing the dash. But, again, this would require a bit of modification to the accesory piece that comes with the kenwood DDX/DNX unit. Sorry if I'm not being clear enough!

regarding wanting to keep the factory texture, I understand!

[kuhan]

Alright, I've finally finished installing my Kenwood DDX812. The bypass does work. The SWI-Jack works OK (kinda slow responding). The video quality is beautiful!!! Haven't checked the Bluetooth yet.

headhunter, below are the links I used to get the instructions for my Z.

2008 2.5S coupe without Bose

2007-2008 Altima This instruction shows more detail on how to connect resistors to the wires.http://www.pac-audio.com/swixp...D=112

SWI-Jack instruction in PDF <- hard copy comes with SWI-Jack http://www.pac-audio.com/instructions/swi-jack.pdf

I have a digital multimeter so it was easy to ohm out the resistors. You need 150 ohms and 47 ohms according the instruction. I soldered all connections.

NOTE: make sure you set RADIO SELECT SWITCH to 3 (Kenwood) and just follow the instructions. It took me a while to get everything working because I forgot to set Radio Select Switch to 3.

The only thing left for the HU is the Bluetooth microphone. I'm not sure where to place it......

DOC,

Thanks for the help with the relay question. I decided to use a switch to control the foot well led instead of the relay on Kenwood since I don't want any the stupid led to mess up my DDX812 up

Also where did you get your Autopage RS-1000 OLED Pager Alarm system and how much? Do you recommend it? Thanks.
Modified by kuhan at 9:34 PM 2/11/2009

[rjdmmfl1]

for the PAC-SWI, check out my color coded diagram linked on Applebonker's FAQ under "steering wheel interface"

[headhunt3r]

So... I've got the thing in there, but only to notice that I bought the wrong antenna adapter... I got the NI11 instead of the NI12

Anyways with the NI12, I noticed the blue wire ... where is that supposed to attach to?

http://www.installer.com/item/...-NI12

I've got it running so far with no radio, and lemme say, this thing is pimpppp!!

[kuhan]

Doesn't your OEM antenna plug right into the Kenwood female adapter?

[LeGates]

Well I finally bought something. I got a ddx812 refurbished off of ebay today and plan on getting the nav module as well. I have sat back and read a lot of everyone's post and have learned a ton. Wish me luck on the install. Everything is on order. Kuhan, the audio set looks cool. I may just end up mimicing it for my car. Doc and apple seem to know their ****.

[rjdmmfl1]

Doesn't your OEM antenna plug right into the Kenwood female adapter?

nope, not in the Altimas.. we need an adapter... and the blue wire connects to the blue ant wire on the kenwood adapter..

[kuhan]

Well I finally bought something. I got a ddx812 refurbished off of ebay today and plan on getting the nav module as well. I have sat back and read a lot of everyone's post and have learned a ton. Wish me luck on the install. Everything is on order. Kuhan, the audio set looks cool. I may just end up mimicing it for my car. Doc and apple seem to know their ****.

You can't beat the refurbished price on those DDX812's. Make sure you get a 2-yr Square Trade Warranty with it, it's worth it. NOTE: The warranty will start 60 days after your purchase (for refurbished item).

I got all my audio stuff off ebay as well (got Square Trade warranties for all of my stuff

The install is very easy even for average Joe like me. Just make sure you get an antenna adapter for Altima since Doc confirmed that you'll need one. So if you are planning to get a steering wheel interface, make sure you get SWI-Jack.

Post here if you have any questions. Enjoy!

[headhunt3r]

Question about video's on this deck. The manual says that *.avi's are playable extensions, but I've tried both an avi file on a USB and also on a DVD-R, and neither of them worked. I've tried a control of a real DVD disc, and that seemed to work fine. Has anyone tried the USB + avi combo? Or the burned DVD's?

[rjdmmfl1]

Question about video's on this deck. The manual says that *.avi's are playable extensions, but I've tried both an avi file on a USB and also on a DVD-R, and neither of them worked. I've tried a control of a real DVD disc, and that seemed to work fine. Has anyone tried the USB + avi combo? Or the burned DVD's?

Biggest downfall of the kenwood units is that they don't play video through the USB.. onlu music files... however, I play .avi file on my kenwood... it may be how your disc is encoded! that's the only thing i can think of

[headhunt3r]

The DVD thing worked out. But I can't seem to figure something out... not sure if you guys got into this with your unit. When I first installed it, and connected it to my phone, SMS worked right away, and it asked me if I wanted to download my messages to the unit, and the option for sending an SMS to others worked.

After I took out the unit again to install the radio antenna (ordered the wrong one first time around), the SMS function seemed to have stopped working! This is with the same phone that it worked with the first time around... just wondering if anyone had any tips for this

[rjdmmfl1]

I would call Kenwood tech support... my phone doesn't use SMS for texts.. so it never worked for me in the first place

[htsource]

Curious to know where you guys put your Bluetooth mic? Mine is attached to the left upper pillar and facing to the window. I was thinking of relocating it either to the top of the steering wheel (in front of the gagues), or by the rearview mirror.

[kuhan]

I have a Z and I put it right under the rearview mirror and it works just fine.

[banshee08]

That is where I put mine in my 08 Sedan. Just make sure to update the bluetooth firmware if you have iphone and the Kenwood 812 or 8210. The lastest firmware solves lots of voice quality problems for a few phones. I think the lastes bluetooth firmware is 1.71.