1. Initial Purchase consideration:
I wanted to include in my Corvette C6 a touchscreen radio that suits my needs required. Here my main focus of the reflection of the Mart Phones lay on music streaming via Bluetooth (A2DP) and MHL so on the radio display. The best yet with an operator in both directions, so the smart phone on the radio and the radio can be controlled via the smartphone.
I have therefore deliberately chose a Monireceiver without navigation device, as most integrated Navisysteme suck not really much and I was relatively happy with Navigon previously. My reasoning alternated between Pioneer (SPA-DA110), Kenwood (DDX5025DAB), Alpine (ICS-X8) and JVC (NSx700 series).
As Alpine Although quality is, however, the ICS-X8 was one of the first radio of this type and lags of the functions afterwards and the price does not justify, I decided against it. At JVC due to my opinion rather ugly GUI and Pioneer had not as many features as the DDX5025DAB. I also wanted a knob tune the volume and not with two keys. But that's a matter of taste.
2. Installation
The installation went smoothly went smoothly with the help of an adapter spziellen of GM. German cars do not require this.
However, I have not seen to pay for an MHL cable 30. But here came the first problem. 3 HDMI cable tried, none fit. Blame is the outrageously narrow HDMI slot. I then sanded one HDMI connector and connected these, but which later led to image distortion, so I have this cable used:
; Qid = 1408368378 & sr = 8-1 & keywords = + MHL cable
For 10 it fulfills the same purpose. It is divided into a Micro USB connector and a USB connector. The USB port is required, but can easily be connected to the USB output from the radio. This smartphone is then loaded. It should of course be taken to ensure that the MHL cable is available in particular after completion of the installation. It is recommended to make updates available and the USB cable for the purpose of firmware. For me, the degradation of the center console takes namely about half an hour, because annoys you easily if you all have to open again. ;-)
A DAB antenna was with me with the delivery. I have attached the bottom right on the passenger side, so it is hardly noticeable.
The microphone I angebraucht me the wheel.
3. Operation
The DDX5025 can be operated intuitively and easily in my opinion. A separate background and a personal color settings are possible. Just about DAB you also receives times other than the usual FM stations and the quality of digital radio is also very pleasant. However, it was my starting and connect to not possible. Since I anyway do not like to listen to the radio, I do not really did not matter. To me it was more about my own music.
Bluetooth streaming:
Works with all devices supporting A2DP. However, please note that although 5 devices can be saved, which can even be synchronized actively used for calls, but only one for music streaming. Strangely I find here is that the second device can not stream, even though the other is not coupled. Thus, first the top device from the list of Bluetooth devices must be deleted so that can be streamed to the other music. From time to time this is possible only after an activation in the Bluetooth options. The current song is displayed when playing music and the usual navigation buttons are available. The playback to work properly, as well as phone calls.
MHL:
It works with the cable mentioned above very good. Picture and sound are transferred properly. If necessary, rotation app must be installed to represent also the home screen in horizontal perspective.
An operation of the smartphone via the free app Kenwood Smartphone Control. For this purpose, the manufacturer is not sufficient evidence available. This will only work when the phone is connected simultaneously via Bluetooth. To connect the Bluetooth Profile Human Interface Device (HID) must be supported by Smartphone. If this is the case, the smartphone can be controlled via the Apps button. However, the operation does more bad than good despite repeated calibration attempts, so I would rather take the smartphone quickly at the traffic light in the hand.
The HTC One works without problems via MHL.
For the Samsung Galaxy S4, a 5 to 11 pin adapter is required. Otherwise no display is mirrored and no sound.
; Qid = 1408369775 & sr = 8-1 & keywords = 5 + on + 11 + pin
CD and USB function as expected. DVDs are also possible.
Special (SlimPort):
This is only for users of Nexus 4, 5, 7, LG Optimus G Pro, LG3 and all devices that use the technology SlimPort important. Otherwise just skip!
I switched on a LG G3. The problem here is that it uses instead MHL SlimPort. According Kenwood all SlimPort devices are not compatible. I have by a manufacturer of 40 calls for an HDMI cable fortunately not let myself be swayed and found a relatively easy way to get devices with SlimPort up and running. The HDMI connector on the radio is exactly the same as an HDMI connector on the TV. A signal arrives and will spend on the display. It is entirely sausage whether this signal is initially transferred via MHL or SlimPort.
Since I had no desire again characteristic Woods profiteering upheld (40 for the HDMI cable), I have long been looking for an HDMI cable that has a connector so thin that it fits into the extremely thin shaft. Although the Kenwood employees said that only the cable fits, however, was directly clear to me that this is a lie just like the lack of support of SlimPort technology. This HDMI cable fits easily inside:
PSC = 1
For this you also need the following adapter
; Qid = 1408370251 & sr = 8-1 & keywords = SlimPort
The adapter should not save you. It took me 3 attempts, as I've tried cheaper competitors. However, these are not adequately shielded, what does while driving signal terminations of picture and sound result.
The above combination works for me except for a few stuttering reasonably well with my LG G3.
Settings:
Firmware Update: The firmware update can be downloaded from the Kenwood page, stored on a USB stick and then flashed over the radio. After a reset (not just off and on again) is required from the radio. For this purpose, the red triangle must be pushed with a pen.
Speaker size can be adjusted.
DSP can be activated and deactivated.
Equalizer to choose from.
I also like that you can increase the volume of the connected devices artificially.
All settings can also be found in the User's Guide.
Errors / bugs:
Annoying is the bow, while the MHL and Bluetooth connection via MHL There is no sound from time to time and this is again only after deactivation of the Bluetooth connection. From then on, however, is also not a controller (s. Above) of the smartphone over the radio longer possible. Appears to be an isolated case, since it has already been mentioned in another review for me.
Excessively loud fan. There is a radio, no air conditioning.
Conclusion:
The DDX5025DAB is a quality product and is reasonable in price-performance ratio. The sound is top notch and there is hardly a radio with such a large range of functions. Outrageously however, I find the prices for the accessories. (1 star deduction). Very annoying is the bug described above. The Kenwood Smartphone Control is a good idea, but still in need of improvement.
