Kenwood DNX520VBT

[Toxic]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to tell you of my experiences with the new Kenwood DNX520VBT.

The Kenwood DNX520VBT for all you guys that dont know is a OEM Double Din Headunit built purposely for VW, Seat, and Skoda cars/Vans, this is a OEM Replacement for the SatNavs that come with the Seat Range.

Its main features include:


7.0 inch Wide VGA colour TFT
Designed for VW, ŠKODA & SEAT cars
Variable key illumination (Hard keys & GUI colour)
1 AV-In (Front), 1 AV-Out, 1 Video In for optional rear view camera
iPod, iPhone USB direct control (Requires KCA-iP240V)
Bluetooth built-in (handsfree profile/SMS)
Built in Garmin Navigation system (new platform), with V12 map included TMC(pro) decoder built-in
Front micro SD slot for navigation update
DivX, MPEG 1/2 Video File & JPEG File, AAC, WMA, MP3 playback
Support for Rear view Camera.
Support for Digital TV Module
Anyway, I've been meaning to get a new head unit for sometime and was totally undecided about what Double-Din unit to go for. Pioneer, Alpine and Kenwood all spring to mind but i wanted one that done everything for a good price, that looked OEM and had better support than the "Chinese" Ebay stuff on offer. I wasn't really wanting to go for anything above about 700 notes but David at Seremotors (What would we do without him) gave it to me at a good price. Seat, VW and Skoda dealerships will all charge approx just under £1000 inc fitting though you should get a a pretty good discount from David and save yourself some dosh especially if you fit the unit yourself. Fitting is not that hard and ALL cables are supply for connectivity. Steering Wheel buttons work as expected.

I've now had the unit just over a few weeks and done some serious digging about it on the net and collated the info, thus producing a wikipedia page on the DNX520VBT, which is available here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenwood_DNX520VBT

DVD
DVDs play well though by default the screen will only show the movies etc when the handbrake is on or you have rear Monitors connected. (safety feature) there is a workaround, but for safety reasons I recommend that you do not ground the parking brake wire from the HU to earth ;)

USB
So far i have a 16GB Micro USB plugged into the unit which does not protrude out very far - see attached pic. Format is FAT/FAT32 however, one gripe is the order in which mp3s are played. - it plays them in the order that they were added to the device!!!! WTF! - this is an old known issue with Head units.

There is a workaround using a file utility called "FAT Sorter" - this basically recopies the files back in the correct order that is needed.

whilst playing USB/Radio you have a status bar on the bottom of the screen showing your location, which is a nice feature. MP3 Art is only supported from MP3 File tagging and not a separate Album Art jpg file.

Radio
The radio has the usual FM/AM/LW and allows for RDS information etc and includes TP/TA. I radio reception was totally done, however found out my Radio Antenna Base was broken. the PCB board inside was corroded. The Base was Replaced and reception is great.

Bluetooth
Bluetooth is powered by Parrott which is built into the HU. i works great with my Blackberry, Nokia and HTC phones. an External Mic is supplied which you can locate on top of the Steering Wheel column or wherever you want. It supports Phonebooks last redial and has Voice Acivation Dial as well.

SatNav
The Sat Nav is powered by Garmin, and is excellent. Custom POI's including speed cameras etc can be added. Now today i only found this out, that the Unit comes with a free Lifetime Subscription for TMC! (Traffic Master Announcements (how cool is that!, considering there is no information about this in the Box or manual! and I found it via the web!

To Activate TMC on the DNX520VBT - Download the PDF file here:

http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/WebFiles/File/uk/download/OEM/VW/How%20to%20Activate%20TMC%20DNX520VBT_V2.pdf

its a ten minute job, and you'll only spend a couple of minutes on the Phone to Garmin.

Unfortunately i have yet to own an iPod ;) so i cannot comment on the Ipod functionality.

If anyone wanting any more info please free to ask....

Pics are below including my Custom Startup Screen and 16GB USB Flash Drive:

http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad314/ToxicTDI/IMG_0140Small.jpg

http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad314/ToxicTDI/IMG_0146Small.jpg

[seremotors]

Simon, SEAT UK should give you a job mate.
Even we dealers dont know the full spec of this unit!
Tremendous job, I appreciate it and have forwarded it to my Area Manager.

[Toxic]

no probs David Glad to be of Service ;)

[tris]

Have been looking at one for a while what price did you get it for?

[Toxic]

got mine for 800, though Seat prices will vary from time to time and dont include P&P, I suggest you PM Seremotors (David) who can advise on availability and a decent Price.

[PJ_leonCupra]

I got mine when I bought my '58' cupra got the dealer to install it for 750.00 so was Happy :) Its an awesome bit of kit and doesn't look out of place in the dash.

Have you played round with the speak set up ie. Bass, treble, mid etc what settings have you got it at as I keep playing and as off yet not found the perfect set up any help advice would be greatly received.

Cheers Phil

[Toxic]

Yeah I have played about with the settings but i am in the process of upgrading the front speakers. I did last week put in Infinity: Kappa 652.9i - 16.5cm speakers but I found they lacked bass that the original ones had. The clarity however is excellent. I stall have to disconnect the built-in door tweeters which do give a slight tinny sound though with the 652.9 are so low down the 3way speakers may loose higher freqencies.

I may go for Component speakers and just replace the Tweeters.

[Toxic]

Phil, I've been tweaking the settings the last few days and have got close to a better sound now, I'll take a note of my settings soon and post them here. Obviously this is with different speakers fitted in front and builtin tweeters disabled. I may also put the original front speakers in the back since these are shown in ETKA as Bass speakers rather than the mid tone speaker that the back have fitted as standard.

[PJ_leonCupra]

Phil, I've been tweaking the settings the last few days and have got close to a better sound now, I'll take a note of my settings soon and post them here. Obviously this is with different speakers fitted in front and builtin tweeters disabled. I may also put the original front speakers in the back since these are shown in ETKA as Bass speakers rather than the mid tone speaker that the back have fitted as standard.

Cheers mate, thinking about upgrading speaks myself but I play round with the settings first and see what I can get out of standard. If you can post your set up I have a go with that. :) thanks.

Its a great kit don't you think looks so much better then standard. Keep me posted on any new findings and I do the same.

[Toxic]

A new Bluethtooth update has been released for the DNX520VBT as of yesterday. (v3.90) Apparently it includes updates for iPhone 4, HTC Wildfire/Desire and other phones. It fixed the Auto Phone book upload from my Blackberry ;)

available from here:

http://www.kenwood.com/cs/ce/bt/

please follow the instructions exactly.

[Eddie1974]

I’ve not too long ago began a blog, the information you provide on this website has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all your time & work.

[Toxic]

no probs glad to be of service

[Hh123]

Hi,

Thanks for this thread. It's very useful.

I just got the Kenwood installed into my new sparkly Leon :D

The one thing I was NOT expecting was losing the USB port that the Leon comes with which is out of the way and right at the front of the central unit. In no way interfering with driving or anything else.

Reading the instruction manual, it seems, as I read it, that the kenwood is able to support multiple ports (page 25 USB Device Select) yet instead of having two USB ports, only the one on the kenwood has been enabled.

Is this something my dealer has missed or is the instruction manual wrong?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Toxic]

I have heard other people using a usb hub on some kenwoods, i was thinking of using a USB cable (with a right angled head) and run the cable into the glove box. you could take a dremmel/drill to the edge of the Facia to fit the cable down the side of the fascia/HU housing and back into the Glove box.

something like this:

http://www.usbfirewire.com/uextend.html

[PJ_leonCupra]

I might be wrong but I think there is a USB slot on the back. I have either read this or dreamt it so if anyone can shed some light that be good. I will have a read of the manual and let you know:)

[Hh123]

Thanks guys. If there is no way of linking up the seat USB port, then this suggestion is definitely an idea. What micro USB stick did you use with the low profile?

On wiki it says that "mini-USB port found on the back of the DNX520VBT is an undocumented port that enables the user to access the Garmin map folders built into the unit to update files within the Garmin folder. Please note if you do update any files or folders via this method to make a full backup of the Garmin folder before any updating is done."

Not sure if that's what you mean.

on page 26 of the manual it says "select the USB device or partition" and the picture shows USB1, USB2, USB3 etc. Which is why I thought there would be more than 1 port

[Toxic]

yes the mini port on back is for the "internal" access for the Garmin files. you basically hookup your laptop add the garmin USB drivers and access the folder there. you can add files etc there but this appears to be USB v1 format so the data throughput is VERY slow. it is not really worth the effort tbh.

I'll see if i have a USB hub about and see if the kenwood can access more than 1 USB device via the front external port.

[tris]

I had a little play on a demo one setup today looks a very good bit of kit

[tris]

Ment to ask why do you need to call Garmin?

[Toxic]

I might be wrong but I think there is a USB slot on the back. I have either read this or dreamt it so if anyone can shed some light that be good. I will have a read of the manual and let you know:)

FYI:

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a87/wega3k/dnx520vbt/003-1024.jpg

as you see the micro USB slot is the only USB slot at the rear. it is not used for music, only for updating garmin maps etc as this will access the Garmin folder on the head unit. it is NOT a documented feature however.

[Toxic]

Ment to ask why do you need to call Garmin?

To activate TMC. (Traffic Message Channel)

[tris]

Is that at extra cost?

[Toxic]

no that is free. I only found out about the TMC thing from one of Kenwood/VW websites. the TMC feature is a Lifetime of updates - as long as the Traffic reporting company still exists ;) the guide of how to get it added is posted on the first post of this thread.

[tris]

That's a bonus

[Toxic]

That's a bonus

Absolutely;)

[tris]

Has anyone fitted this them self?

[Toxic]

Yes I done it myself;)

[tris]

How long did it take?

[Hh123]

Thanks Toxic!

[Toxic]

in total a couple of hours give or take 15 minutes i guess, hardest bit was getting the glove compartment out.

[tris]

Will this be ok when the analogue signal is turned off?

[Toxic]

you mean the radio? the radio is not digital if that's what you are referring too.

[tris]

I was thanks

Was worried about paying out 1k if they do swich over to digital

[bobbyalan]

Hi there, I know this is a Seat Forum & I own a VW Jetta, but for the querey I have (a Kenwood DNX520BVT Sat Nav System) this seems to be the best forum.

I have just got my VW Jetta with the Kenwood DNX520BVT fitted & am well pleased with it - but just have a couple of queries -

First - Does anyone know if you need to alter any settings to get the AUX IN function working - I have 2 sockets (one built into the unit & one fitted into the console below the unit) - I have tried plugging in the output from an mp3 player but can see no way of selecting AUX IN on the unit ? ? ?

Secondly - Supplied with the unit was a lead for connecting an Ipod (I have an iPod Touch 4) - The salesman said "just connect your iPod to the socket in the glovebox & away you go!" - well the lead has a plug on one end which goes into the iPod - then splits into 2 leads - one with a USB plug on it - the other has a 3.5mm headphone plug - all well & good. But what the heck is the socket in the glovebox for? what plugs in there ?

Any help offered would be brill

(I will go back to the salesman - as a last resort!!!)

Thanks

[MR MEOW]

Hi, im selling mine on ebay, ive never even taken it out of the box, ebay item number 260898596117 £699 foc delivery

[bobbyalan]

Thanks, but problem sorted now & all working ok

[w.reid306]

flip just saw this, and looks a fantastic headunit, and looks to be worth spending the extra cash too, will have to start saving!

noticed your from bangor too, any chance i could get a look at it one day?

[mrbubba]

City Seat are doing this for £999 fully installed.

Are there many other OEM style double din options?

[Toxic]

Yes there are, but this units was designed for specific models to work straight out of the box.

most Dealers are doing them for 999 inc fitting. Seremotors will do it for less (I saved 200 quid) but you fit it yourself.

[mrcreeky]

Hi, could you tell me where you got the DIN fascia from?

All the ones I have found so far has square edges and from looking at your photos, the rounded corners of this unit fit ver nicely.

P.S. Hi all, my first post :)

[Toxic]

Got the Facial from David at Seremotors. Just order it from him. He has a subforum on SCN:)

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[magicman]

Does the sat nav work with the MFD?