Quick question for you guys. New user and owner here

[hydro94530]

Hi all. Just a quick question. I purchased a 2008 coupe the other day with the premium and tech packages. Since my car already has bluetooth, XM radio and everything else set up, would I need to purchase anything extra for this unit, other than what the unit comes with:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-v...X8120

I know I would need the iPod adapter, but other than that, should I be all set with all options available. I was hoping I could simply unplug everything from the stock deck and plug it all back in to this one and have the hands free phone, steering wheel controls, XM, back up camera, everythiong working. Am I right here or is there much more I need to purchase?

Also, does anyone know if this Kenwood deck has the ability to flip the screen around to hide it as if the detacheable face was removed?

Thanks in advance, and sorry if this is all common knowledge, I'm still gettin up to speed on everything.

[tarek]

I'm not an expert on this, but from what I've read others say you will most probably have to change everything. The Kenwood 8120 uses its own bluetooth system which isn't compatible with the factory Nissan one, so you'll have to install that. Good thing is I believe it's built in to the 8120 so you'll probably just have to run the wires around for the mic and antenna.

To retain the steering wheel controls you'll need the PAC SWI-JACK: http://www.crutchfield.com/App...IJACK Keep in mind that this won't work with bluetooth so you'll lose those functions.

To use XM or Sirius you'll need to get addons for the 8120, you can't use the factory Nissan system for that.

The back up camera most probably will not be compatible. According to the *other* Altima forums there is no adapter available for the backup cam to work with aftermarket systems. Nissan probably uses some proprietary connnections here, so you'll probably need to get a whole new backup cam.

Lastly, I don't believe the 8120 the flip feature you're talking about -- at least it isn't mentioned anywhere where I've read about it (and I've read a lot about it!).

I'm sure rjdmmfl1 will come around and give you more details than I have about what you need / why it won't work, but that's my knowledge on the matter

[rjdmmfl1]

I'm not an expert on this, but from what I've read others say you will most probably have to change everything. The Kenwood 8120 uses its own bluetooth system which isn't compatible with the factory Nissan one, so you'll have to install that. Good thing is I believe it's built in to the 8120 so you'll probably just have to run the wires around for the mic and antenna.

To retain the steering wheel controls you'll need the PAC SWI-JACK: http://www.crutchfield.com/App...IJACK Keep in mind that this won't work with bluetooth so you'll lose those functions.

To use XM or Sirius you'll need to get addons for the 8120, you can't use the factory Nissan system for that.

The back up camera most probably will not be compatible. According to the *other* Altima forums there is no adapter available for the backup cam to work with aftermarket systems. Nissan probably uses some proprietary connnections here, so you'll probably need to get a whole new backup cam.

Lastly, I don't believe the 8120 the flip feature you're talking about -- at least it isn't mentioned anywhere where I've read about it (and I've read a lot about it!).

I'm sure rjdmmfl1 will come around and give you more details than I have about what you need / why it won't work, but that's my knowledge on the matter

My protege tarek has informed you well!!!

Everything he said is correct... I have the DNX-8120..

1. It has built in bluetooth which is not compatible with the factory steering wheel, so u will lose that function

2. You can't remove the face and it doesn't switch around

3. You will need a new XM radio adapter for the Kenwood

4. You will need a new rear view camera

I'm sorry to ask, but why on earth did you purchase the technology package, and replace everything???? The technology package was not meant to be replaced with an aftermarket unit... you wasted 1500 my man ... in any case, after you finish getting everythig for the Kenwood 8120, the final cost will be ~ $1600, and that's before installation

Regarding the factory rear view camera... I'm sure it can be hacked.. given enough time, I could hack it, but I would have to strip down all the wires and test them individually to find out which wire is ground, video, power, etc... It hasn't been done yet because no one would do what you are doing my friend (buy the tyech package and replace the factory NAv..

sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

[08Coupe]

You could sell the factory Navi setup and help pay for your upgrade...While overpriced I didn't think the oem navi was too bad, maby just upgrade the system you have (speakers, amps) and save some coin...

[hydro94530]

Thanks for the info guys, this is exactly the stuff I was looking for. Just to be clear, I haven't done anything to the car yet and haven't made any other purchases, just trying to gather info, and now I know the dificulties involved.

I'm honestly happy with the factory one, I just really want DVD playback more than anything. There isn't a way of any kind to get the factory one to allow this is there? If there was I would be satisfied.
Modified by hydro94530 at 11:48 AM 5/14/2008

[hydro94530]

With the stock Nav and the 6 cd changer below, doe a DVD drive that can be installed in car exist, something without a screen? Wondering if I can leave the navigation unit alone, and install just a DVD player in place of the 6 disc changer and connect that to the nav unit. Could that work?

[rjdmmfl1]

With the stock Nav and the 6 cd changer below, doe a DVD drive that can be installed in car exist, something without a screen? Wondering if I can leave the navigation unit alone, and install just a DVD player in place of the 6 disc changer and connect that to the nav unit. Could that work?

OK, here's my suggestion..

you can either replace the stock CD changer with a dvd drive, or you can just add on a dvd drive mounted eiether in the trunk, under your seat, or in the glove compartment... then you can connect that to the Factory NAV monitor. They have interfaces that allow you to connect aftermarket DVD player to factory NAv units!! Don't get rid of the nav unit my friend!!! Good luck...

[hydro94530]

thanks dude, that sounds like good plan. I definitely like the features of the Nav unit, so this sounds like a good solution for DVD playback. Again, sorry for the noob questions. Thanks again.

[vballer22]

OK, here's my suggestion..

you can either replace the stock CD changer with a dvd drive, or you can just add on a dvd drive mounted eiether in the trunk, under your seat, or in the glove compartment... then you can connect that to the Factory NAV monitor. They have interfaces that allow you to connect aftermarket DVD player to factory NAv units!! Don't get rid of the nav unit my friend!!! Good luck...

One thing that I'm sure doc and I have both learned over the years of audio upgrades that you MUST keep the original components if at all possible. You may love your car to death and want to keep it forever, but you are eventually gonna sell it or trade in your lease. When this comes, nobody is gonna pay extra for the upgrades you put in a few years before unless you go all out show system, and even then its gonna discourage some from buying your car. keep the OEM components and reinstall them when you get rid of the car.

However if you make the purchase now, keep the nav unit you buy for a year or so, because theyre like computers, theres always a new faster or better one coming out. Then in a couple years buy the fancy shiny new one that you cant live without, and sell the old one on ebay. Doc just sold his avic-d to adidas, and lots of guys (and gals) here do swapping like that.

[vballer22]

thanks dude, that sounds like good plan. I definitely like the features of the Nav unit, so this sounds like a good solution for DVD playback. Again, sorry for the noob questions. Thanks again.

And docs idea for dvd playback sounds valid to me. And trust me, thats not a n00b question at all. Any monitor, including the OEM nav one, has to have input from somewhere, and in this case its from the hard drive and nav brain in the unit. This means that somewhere in there, theres a wire or two running from the unit to the screen. this wire is supplying all the video input and data that appears on the screen. So theoretically, this could be tapped with a dvd signal from an outside player, but this would probably disrupt the flow of data and mess up the unit. As far as my knowlege goes, you could probably have someone test the wires, maybe rewire a few or reroute the signal, but Im thinking you might lose some functionality in the main unit. Haha im trying to be clear but this is pretty advanced stuff, which is why noones done it yet. Let me know if that helped at all.

[rjdmmfl1]

And docs idea for dvd playback sounds valid to me. And trust me, thats not a n00b question at all. Any monitor, including the OEM nav one, has to have input from somewhere, and in this case its from the hard drive and nav brain in the unit. This means that somewhere in there, theres a wire or two running from the unit to the screen. this wire is supplying all the video input and data that appears on the screen. So theoretically, this could be tapped with a dvd signal from an outside player, but this would probably disrupt the flow of data and mess up the unit. As far as my knowlege goes, you could probably have someone test the wires, maybe rewire a few or reroute the signal, but Im thinking you might lose some functionality in the main unit. Haha im trying to be clear but this is pretty advanced stuff, which is why noones done it yet. Let me know if that helped at all.

check this out... i'm sure they have one for the 2207 + altimas...

http://pac-audio.com/products/productsC ... on%20LCD's
Modified by rjdmmfl1 at 8:16 AM 5/18/2008

[hydro94530]

Thanks guys for your help and advice. That's a good link too, and I'm defintely going to pursue this. I agree in keeping the original stuff so I'm hoping this all works somehow. I might have to wait a bit, but if I get this working I'll post the results here. I won't attempt it myself, but I have a friend at an audio shop who can do some pretty tricky stuff. Thanks guys.

[rjdmmfl1]

Thanks guys for your help and advice. That's a good link too, and I'm defintely going to pursue this. I agree in keeping the original stuff so I'm hoping this all works somehow. I might have to wait a bit, but if I get this working I'll post the results here. I won't attempt it myself, but I have a friend at an audio shop who can do some pretty tricky stuff. Thanks guys.

no problem... keep checking the NICO forums though, there's TONS of information here!!!

[hydro94530]

I defintely will, this site is awesome! Hell, I wish one of you lived in the bay area, I'd pay you to come install this for me.

[vballer22]

I defintely will, this site is awesome! Hell, I wish one of you lived in the bay area, I'd pay you to come install this for me.

Pay me enough and Ill fly there, but you gotta include the plane tickets too

This is cool stuff though, If you have a friend do it, ,make sure you watch him and learn. It's gonna come in handy I promise. Someday youll wanna replace the speakers, or put a subwoofer in, and trust me it comes in handy. Good luck! and dont forget to post the results. Were all very interested.

[hydro94530]

[QUOTE=vballer22]

Pay me enough and Ill fly there, but you gotta include the plane tickets too

This is cool stuff though, If you have a friend do it, ,make sure you watch him and learn. It's gonna come in handy I promise. Someday youll wanna replace the speakers, or put a subwoofer in, and trust me it comes in handy. Good luck! and dont forget to post the results. Were all very interested.[/QUOT

Will do. I did some work on my last car, but nothing like this so it should be very interesting. Thanks again guys