Sunday, February 22, 2015

Customize splash screen on Kenwood DDX7701HD, DDX8901HD, and DDX7071BT

Problem:
I want to customize the boot up/splash screen on my Kenwood car stereo to something a little more vehicle-specific than the default startup screen. I couldn't find specific instructions for my headunit model, but there was information for similar models. I have the DDX7701HD, but the other models listed in the title are very similar and use the same manual, so they should be able to use the same method.

Solution:

  1. Prepare the files:
    1. Format a USB drive as fat32 
    2. On the USB stick, save a bitmap image of 800x480 pixels with 16-bit full color and RGB color settings of R5,G6,B5 (a free program like Gimp can do this if you choose File > Export As > select BMP > Save (a dialog will pop up after you hit save) > Advanced > Select R5 G6 B5 under the 16-bit heading 
    3. On the USB stick, create a text file named OpeningCustomize.txt containing the text shown here
      1. This file must be created using Notepad. Linux-style line returns will not work.
      2. Make sure to change your_file_name.bmp to your actual bitmap image file name.
  2. Prepare the stereo:
    1. If you don't want to lose your settings, back them up in the Setup -> System -> Setup Memory menu.
    2. Get a paperclip ready to press the reset button (red lighted triangle on lower left corner)
  3. Perform the customization:
    1. With the stereo on, press the volume down and menu buttons (you will keep holding these two only), and quickly press the reset button.
    2. The stereo will power off and then turn back on. Release the volume down and menu buttons only after the buttons on the bezel illuminate
    3. When the customization menu appears, plug the USB drive into the USB port connected to the stereo's USB cable.
    4. Touch the button labeled "Opening Customize" and it will say "Customization OK"
    5. Now power the unit off and on via the Menu/Power button, and it should come up with your new splash screen

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your guide it works great, but how do I restore back to the original kenwood splash screen?

James Rogers said...

Hi there. I'm trying this on a DDX6015BT. Followed all the instructions. In my case though, on the remote control, you press 2 then Fast Forward, then 3. It brings up the menu and on the third screen you can choose to do the customisation. However, nothing happens, it says checking USB, then just returns back to the System update screen and asks if you want to shut down. Nothing changes.

Reset, menu and volume down bring up a menu, but there's no option to change logo.

Any ideas?

Thanks :)

Unknown said...

My head unit will not turn back on. Now I don't know what to do. I followed all directions exactly step by step.

Unknown said...


you need to format using cmd not windows right-click for it to work.

Step 1. In Windows 10, for example, type cmd in the search box, you can get the best match called Command Prompt. Right-click on it and choose Run as administrator.
Step 2. On the Command Prompt window, type diskpart and press Enter.
Step 3. Type list disk and press Enter. According to the list disk information, check which disk is your USB flash drive. For example, disk 2.
Step 4. Now type select disk 2 and press Enter.
Step 5. Type clean. Wait some time for disk erasing.
Step 6. Type create partition primary and press Enter.
Step 7. After diskpart successfully created the specified partition, type format fs=ntfs and press enter. If you prefer other file system formats, change the command ntfs to the desired one such as fat32, exfat, etc.
Step 8. Type assign to create a drive letter to the flash drive.

Unknown said...

you need to format with cmd. Right-click does not work.
Step 1. In Windows 10, for example, type cmd in the search box, you can get the best match called Command Prompt. Right-click on it and choose Run as administrator.
Step 2. On the Command Prompt window, type diskpart and press Enter.
Step 3. Type list disk and press Enter. According to the list disk information, check which disk is your USB flash drive. For example, disk 2.
Step 4. Now type select disk 2 and press Enter.
Step 5. Type clean. Wait some time for disk erasing.
Step 6. Type create partition primary and press Enter.
Step 7. After diskpart successfully created the specified partition, type format fs=ntfs and press enter. If you prefer other file system formats, change the command ntfs to the desired one such as fat32, exfat, etc.
Step 8. Type assign to create a drive letter to the flash drive.

Paul said...

Hi There, I have a Kenwood ddx6903s and I was wondering if anyone knows the key sequence to access this customize image menu on that unit? Thanks