KENWOOD DDX-5016DAB Fitted

[jezport]

I decided a double din radio upgrade would be a good idea so fitted the unit mentioned above.
I chose the unit because I wanted HDMI Input, good sound quality, DAB radio and a touch screen.
I have wired the radio up to the leisure battery via a switch on the ACC +Ve line with the permanent +Ve going direct to the leisure battery via a fuse.
I am still going to add rear speakers.

Pros
The sound quality is slightly better than the Blaupunkt it replaced.
Bigger better display is easier to navigate
Led display can be set to match the dash
HDMI is great with my fire stick connected, which also gives wireless screen mirroring from my phone
Plays DVDs, USBs etc
Spotify connection app
2 phones can connect at same time
Phone battery power display
HML connectivity
Software updatable via USB

Cons
No 30 minute power off option
No option to operate with ignition off (if wired as usual to cab battery)
DAB text not as good as some
Difficult to set up

 

[TinaLes]

 

[TinaLes]

Hi @jezport
We are having some problems with our new Pioneer Double Din touch screen head unit. Our problem is Ariel based in that both the Fiat Ariel and the Carthago roof mounted one are pretty useless for DAB & FM in places. We took advice and fitted a separate high quality Screen mounted DAB Ariel, having checked it was earthed properly against the window side pillar its still pretty useless, while on the move, but OK when stationary.
Even though we have a "low profile" roof at the front it still sticks out above the windscreen slightly, this is the only cause I can think of for what we are experiencing.
Having spent so much dosh with serious component speaker upgrades, and separate power amps & speaker cables, to say its a little disappointing would be an understatement!. We heave resorted to using radio apps & Deezer from an I phone to listen on the move, the sound is truly amazing, but the radio reception is very poor.
Good Luck, these units are great when they work, but the jury is still out on DAB Radio, as has been discussed in length on my other DAB thread.
PS Good tip: Carthago fitted a wiring to the head unit so that when "the Media" switch above the hab door is switched on, a feed from the leisure batteries runs the radio head unit & the TV, bit similar to what you have done, but they also fitted a large blocking Diode so that the cab battery was separated/blocked when stationary and running from the leisure batts.
Les

 

[jezport]

Hi @jezport
We are having some problems with our new Pioneer Double Din touch screen head unit. Our problem is Ariel based in that both the Fiat Ariel and the Carthago roof mounted one are pretty useless for DAB & FM in places. We took advice and fitted a separate high quality Screen mounted DAB Ariel, having checked it was earthed properly against the window side pillar its still pretty useless, while on the move, but OK when stationary.
Even though we have a "low profile" roof at the front it still sticks out above the windscreen slightly, this is the only cause I can think of for what we are experiencing.
Having spent so much dosh with serious component speaker upgrades, and separate power amps & speaker cables, to say its a little disappointing would be an understatement!. We heave resorted to using radio apps & Deezer from an I phone to listen on the move, the sound is truly amazing, but the radio reception is very poor.
Good Luck, these units are great when they work, but the jury is still out on DAB Radio, as has been discussed in length on my other DAB thread.
PS Good tip: Carthago fitted a wiring to the head unit so that when "the Media" switch above the hab door is switched on, a feed from the leisure batteries runs the radio head unit & the TV, bit similar to what you have done, but they also fitted a large blocking Diode so that the cab battery was separated/blocked when stationary and running from the leisure batts.
Les

Les,
I had issues with DAB on my original set up after I fitted a rear camera. Once the monitor was on I lost weaker signals, I changed the monitor for a better one and things were better. I then realized that my phone was also causing issues so fitted a powered screen aerial. It didn't improve so I bought a genuine Samsung USB car charger, it helped a lot but wasn't up to what I expected. I then bought a high quality screened USB lead. This made the final improvement I wanted and the DAB in the van is as good as in the car.

So my advice is, turn off all other electronics, including any USB sockets if they were not original to the van and test them one by one.

 

[jezport]

Ive now finished setting up so I can access the USB and HML/HDMI leads for the head unit. I connected my Amazon Fire Stick and it works well.
I also fitted a power switch for the head unit and aditional 12v and USB outlets from the leisure battery under the dash. See the 2 blue LEDs which are not visible from the driving position

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[TinaLes]

@jezport
Yes I can understand how a lot of peripheral stuff may cause interference with the radio signal. We dont use any external chargers as the I Phone is charged via the USB lead input to the head unit (very neat I thought)
The twin reverse cameras were fitted by Vanbitz and we have a separate 7" screen mounted on RHS of dash, so hopefully not affecting anything radio signal wise.
Just to really wind me up, we took delivery of our new car today, its sat nav is brilliant,its infotainment system is very intuitive and its DAB radio has found channels we didn't know existed, it has a SIRI type voice control for just about everything.
All this fantastic reception from a small shark fin type roof mounted Ariel !!!!
I just wish BMW/Audi made moho,s I would swap the radio, the Fiat engine and gearbox into the van in a blink of the eye!

Thanks for your support, glad you seem to be sorting your DAB signal reception issues, I will persevere as usual.
Les

 

[jezport]

We went on a trip for a week across to North Wales and central Wales so had plenty of time to evaluate the system.
DAB reception was really good and seemed to buffer more data as it got through tunnels without dropping signal. When it did drop out it was smoother rather than the sudden on off and was more a fade out. Then if an FM channel with the same station was on it automatically switches to it once a channel is lost.
Spotify worked seamlessly.
HDMI worked well with my fire tv stick.
Sound quality was better than expected and will be even better when I fit the 2nd set of speakers.
All in all I can't think of anything that didn't work as expected or better.

 

[Robert Clark]

We find the Apple Car Play very flakey on ours
It’s ok once connected, but can a problematical getting it to connect and play in the first place

 

[jezport]

We find the Apple Car Play very flakey on ours
It’s ok once connected, but can a problematical getting it to connect and play in the first place

One of the reasons I didnt go for android auto.
If yours is a kenwood I suggest you look if there is a software update available, they are easy to update.

 

[Robert Clark]

One of the reasons I didnt go for android auto.
If yours is a kenwood I suggest you look if there is a software update available, they are easy to update.

Ours is the same model as yours

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[jezport]

Ours is the same model as yours

Didnt know it had apple car play.
Are you using a genuine apple lead, it can make a big difference.
Check you are on the latest software on the kenwood