How To Change Kenwood Load Screen & Customise Start Screen| 2018

Link to Files: goo.gl/FDnSQK
This guide shows you how to update the 2018 JVC Kenwood stereos with a new customised load screen.
You will need a USB formatted to FAT or FAT32
Some additional information provided by a follower Kelly is included here which might help windows users, Note this has not been verified but has been provided freely to help others:
-Download free image editor imagemagick from imagemagick.org/
-In it’s install directory is a utility “convert”. Create a link to that utility and move link into your Kenwood directory.
-In a Windows cmd shell, convert the desired image into the 16 bit BMP format (5,6,5) as follows:
convert your_image.bmp -define bmp:subtype=RGB565 image1.bmp
where”your_image.bmp” is the desired image that isn’t in the right format for Kenwood
-Install the image as describe by the rest of your instructions

[@AutoChimp]

Some additional information provided by a follower, Kelly F, is included here which might help windows users, Note this has not been verified but has been provided freely to help others: -Download free image editor imagemagick from imagemagick.org/ -In it’s install directory is a utility “convert”. Create a link to that utility and move link into your Kenwood directory. -In a Windows cmd shell, convert the desired image into the 16 bit BMP format (5,6,5) as follows: convert your_image.bmp -define bmp:subtype=RGB565 image1.bmp where”your_image.bmp” is the desired image that isn’t in the right format for Kenwood -Install the image as describe by the rest of your instructions

[@emilysilvester]

Thank you for this video! I followed these instructions and I was able to change my 2020 model Kenwood head unit (DMX8520DABS). It's a 7" unit so I followed the specs for the 7" DNX/DDX H /DDX, 800 x 480 pixels. It was really tricky to get into the hidden menu but got it eventually, took a lot of attempts! It kept going back to the menu when I was tapping bottom left from standby mode, but I found you have to tap in the black space between the menu icon and the edge of the screen, don't tap on the menu icon itself. Also I had my USB plugged into the grey usb (not the black one) - not sure if that makes a difference.

[@adzy166]

Mate, thanks for the menu selection tip. I had the same problem with my sausage fingers. Worked a treat. Lovely Toyota logo on startup :-)

[@fabrice6948]

I have the DMX 5020 DABS and it really is not possible to do a tap in de under elft corner without touching the menu button, as soon as you touch the screen(it doesnt matter where in that corner) it will select the menu button. Can somebody help? is there another way to ac acess the hidden menu

[@Raianan]

Try tapping the top left and right corners instead, I could never figure out what I am doing wrong since the image loads fine as a background. I guess the script is different for different models

[@SpoonGT500]

Tried this on my method on my DMX8019DABS and no luck. Gimp with correct setting, Fat32 etc., but it could read the files. Could you advise please?

[@Raianan]

Hi you can tap the top left corner and the top right corner in the sequence mentioned it worked for my dmx5020s but I could never figure out what I am doing wrong no mater what I always get NG I guess it needs a different script since the image works fine as a background

[@NickNick-de8pd]

I have tried several times to load the image in the boot of my car radio (kenwood dmx7017bts), to no avail. The image is a 16bit bmp of the right pixel size and I put it on the fat32 usb stick with the Opening Customize txt file. The image is named image1. The screen of the car radio when I press Opening Customize immediately turns red with NG in the center. What am I doing wrong? Or doesn't it work on my car radio?

[@ryanwalker397]

same thing happens on my DMX 906s :(

[@andreasbiemel4682]

Same thing happens on my DMX 8019. Do you have an Idea what´s the prob???

[@xGamerYT]

Same to me

[@franciscocelaya5247]

same here

[@adrianopery]

hi Nick, did you do the update?

[@RLTPhoto]

I have tried everything to make this work on the DNX 697s and nothing works just a NG response

[@franciscocelaya5247]

did you figure it out?

[@RLTPhoto]

Still no luck

[@franciscocelaya5247]

@@RLTPhoto yeah ive been trying for 2 hours im just gonna give up

[@TheMrDude2099]

Does this work with DMX7018BTS?

[@xGamerYT]

Me too

[@bl584]

Works flawlessly on the 2019 Kenwood DDX9906XR.

[@noahkeith4826]

Wow thanks you made my day, worked great! Made my own custom VW GTI with Kenwood Excelon logo and it looks sweet! Question .. what does the Custum Wallpaper on the secret menu?

[@NYCee72]

That’s why I’m here.

[@pierslawrence7588]

Does this work on kenwood dmx7018dabs tried getting into customize screen and couldn’t get into it. Thanks

[@gauravdeshmukh9608]

Did you manage to get in the customization menu? I have the same issue with DMX7018DABS

[@TheMrDude2099]

Have you found a way to open it?

[@xGamerYT]

I need it too

[@xGamerYT]

Someone get it?

[@L3Butch3r]

I think you must be on the first Firmware not the updated one.

[@IUsedToBeAPygmy]

Hi, thanks for the great tutorial! Question - I've succesfully followed this process for my DMX8020DABS, but.... When the unit starts, my image is shown in all the wrong colors at first (My image is black and white, but it shows up bright green - like it's loaded with the wrong color palette). Then, after a few seconds, the unit corrects and the colors are shown appropriately - for about 2 seconds before the unit goes to the main screen. This is kind of a bummer as the screen looks wrong for more seconds than it actually looks correct :-/ It looks like its loaded with the wrong color palette, but that can't be it - 16 bit rgb format doesn't *use* a color palette, it's straight rgb values.. Any idea what might be going on here?

[@NiknakMotorsport]

You need to be careful with how the image is saved, it needs to be exactly the right format. If you want to upload it somewhere I can compare it to mine which works ok.

[@neilstryker6529]

Have you been able to do this with a DMX905S? I don't see a standby option, only Turn Off Screen, and once you touch it, it goes back on.

[@EastTennessee12]

Is there a file for the DNX996XR? This file wouldn’t work for it. I got into the customize screen but it doesn’t say “OK” it said “ND” I think it was??

[@firzaalfayez]

Anyone tried with DMX7022 model? I cant access custom menu cz tapping standby button when tap upper left corner.. 😢

[@franciscocelaya5247]

did everything good and it just says NG

[@joenelson7827]

I’m unable to access the hidden menu on my 2020 DMX707s. When I try to push the bottom left of the screen it selects the menu button. Is there a different way to access it on this unit?

[@emilysilvester]

Hey Joe, I also have a 2020 unit (DMX8520DABS). I managed to get into the hidden menu with the same instructions as the video (double tap upper left, double tap bottom left, single tap upper left, single tap bottom left) but it was really really tricky as I was having the same issue, kept selecting the menu button. You just have to be really careful not to hit the menu button but to instead tap the black space between the menu button and the edge of the screen.

[@desertratdave6026]

I have a Kenwood DMX706S (2019) would this instruction be the same for it?

[@erikaguilar1059]

Did it work??

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

The only confusing thing is how to save the file? Do you save it in the larger pixel size and the unit compresses it or do you have to make it in one size and then skew it to the other? If someone knows the answer, please advise? In this video the instructions are not clear on this step.

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

FYI, the answer is you make the larger file size and then skew it down to the final size. Or you can just make it in the final size and not worry about it and it will look okay

[@IkmalRusli]

bro how about JVC model i tried on my JVC KW520bt it does not work by tapping the screen, plus I dont understand the IR code "AudioPosition 4 -> TrackDown -> 5"

[@adrianopery]

Hi friend, I'm trying to do it on DMX706S and when I select the "Opening Customize"on head unit, the screen goes to RED. I already tried with HD image file and standard image file. Do you have any idea what I can do?

[@shaunqureshi5822]

I have a 2023 dmx4707s, and how to I change the boot screen, bc what you have done doesn't work

[@pricecampbell]

How come the Customize Menu is not high lighted and cant select anything? Have proper files on usb but doesn't recognize it.

[@Hecxa]

Getting NG on JVC KW560BT when trying this. Have tried different picture sizes and parameters, no luck so far. Any ideas?

[@AlfaMito159]

hello I have a kenwood stereo model DMX-7810 and I want to change the logo how can I do on this model? I followed your procedure but mine doesn't work. Mmi can you help change initial logo?

[@BenElkind]

Worked on DMX906s

[@floydian4evr]

How do I fix the ghosting I get when the unit first turns on I get the image display like four times for a second then into becomes normal before the warning message I have a ddx9707s

[@jmbuga]

Thank you for the info. I have an issue with uploading the file and starting the stereo it does not display correctly at first and then clears up to show the correct bitmap. Model is JVC KW-V850BT can you tell me the resolution and settings the bmp should be saved in? Other than that it is working as advertised. -- Update Got it solved by downloading your Subaru image and editing the file.

[@tariqvincent5707]

could you explain to me what you changed I'm having the same issue

[@johnyvee1]

@@tariqvincent5707 Did you solve this?

[@jmbuga]

​@@tariqvincent5707 I took the Subaru image edited it and then re-saved that file. Could not get one to work from scratch.

[@jmbuga]

@@johnyvee1 I took the Subaru image edited it and then re-saved that file. Could not get one to work from scratch.

[@miller330i]

Hi! Do you still make your remote start system for BMW E9x's? Your USA partner in Alaska doesn't have them listed afaik.

[@vitoaditya8337]

Is there a tutorial for this for JVC/Kenwood units before 2018 (e.g. 2015 models)?

[@viamerda]

Hi, is there a way to change ot on ddx6906s? I only get to dealer menu, no custom menu

[@DukeDeRichleau]

Can you do this on a Kenwood DMX 7017 DABS? I think it’s a 2017 model

[@Beyblade_Genki]

How do i access rhe menu on dmx9720xs ?

[@JuniorDoug1982]

Anyone know how to get to the customize menu on the 7017dabs

[@xGamerYT]

Me too

[@xGamerYT]

For my dmx7018bts I can’t do the final passage on standby It doesn’t work the customize menu

[@sreyaspramod5376]

any idea how to this settings on DMx7522s

[@reddirtdevil]

any update for the 2019 DDX9906xr??? The menu is there but wont except the file.

[@nicoleschaeffer4986]

Hey Down Undah... My unit is a DNX9980HD and I seem to be the only one in the world.. Can you help me chanr the splash screen?

[@AdamSVT]

Will the same procedure work on a DMX4707S?

[@alioggie8774]

I've tried it with my DMX4707S, and you have to tap the left and right hand corners instead of the top and bottom left corners. However, every time I try to upload it shows NR, and not Ok. I'm still trying to figure out the solution

[@jmbuga]

Great info this process worked for me after some tweaking and downloading your bitmap image wiping it and exporting the file using gimp. I was unable to get an image to work from scratch for whatever reason, didn't spend a lot of time messing with it. Also what is the wallpaper customize buttion in the settings screen. Can I upload a wallpaper in the same manner? I have the JVC KW-V850BT and the startup screen works great now. Thanks.

[@toxicity4818]

I have the KW-V850BT as well,and no matter what I have tried, I get the red NG screen. I can set the main wallpaper through the settings with the same image I'm trying to use, just not the opening screen. FAT32, 800x480, sR5G6B5, 16bit, 96ppi, named correctly, the .txt file is correct, etc. I have no idea what the problem is.

[@jmbuga]

@@toxicity4818 Did you test with the image that they gave you? I tested with the Subaru image that they had and then edited that image and modified that file to make it work. I had issues when trying to create it from scratch.

[@toxicity4818]

@@jmbuga I tried with the Subaru picture as well yes, I still got the NG screen. I coped the .txt file directly too. I tried just naming the image "image1" as well as "image1.bmp", and the text file with and without the .txt at the end. I tried putting image1.bmp in quotations in the .txt file. I created a fresh partition on the flash drive that was only 4GB and formatted it as FAT rather than FAT32. I've just about given up, lol. It really shouldn't be this hard.

[@CSTYLETHESLIM]

Do the usb have to be kept in the unit for the splash screen to come up or can you take it out after it is loaded up the first time?

[@TroyIhmels]

Only needed to install the image. The custom boot screen image is copied to the radio, and the USB stick can then be removed.

[@thangphung]

Hi CarbonCarSystems I follow your instructions but I got a NG. Instead of the OK. . Can you please help me by telling me what I did wrong I have Kenwood ddx6705s head unit. Thank you very much

[@elbrujomaya]

Thang phung. you find the problem to NG red screen, i got the same problem

[@thangphung]

@@elbrujomaya you need to save the image name exactly "image1.bmp" for it to work. I only me my image image1. That's why I got NG. With the red screen.

[@keithc728]

What about the DDX5707S model?

[@bhavneetsaini7941]

Has anyone tried this on a jvc m780bt because I have no luck getting the secret menu to display

[@ultraman1017]

Can you make a subaru image for HD kenwood please?

[@robdgekke]

so i tried this on my ddx4018dab soo it didn work okay fine, try 2 reset it. (0000) didn work either, i`m fu@#@Ks?

[@robdgekke]

Didn get the original back but got my own one working, pixels need 2 be set at 800x480 turn the image 180 and mirror it save as a 5,6,5 16bit bmp and upload it, done.. it works :)

[@gregdouglas9878]

@@robdgekke can you share the link for bit file? it wont download from carbons website

[@daddypithad5992]

i try on kenwood dmx820wxs, it doesn't work. anyone can help?

[@marcnguyen573]

Hey, can't get the menu with dmx820wxs. Please help!!!

[@emilysilvester]

Hey Marc, I also have a 2020 unit (DMX8520DABS). I managed to get into the hidden menu with the same instructions as the video (double tap upper left, double tap bottom left, single tap upper left, single tap bottom left) but it was really really tricky as I kept selecting the menu button. You just have to be really careful not to hit the menu button but to instead tap the black space between the menu button and the edge of the screen. Not sure if this will help you but hopefully it does :)

[@gregdouglas9878]

i cant get the bit file to download. please help

[@rickcintron4350]

I followed your instructions, but I got a ghosted out double image for a few seconds and then it has the correct image. Do you know how to fix that?

[@NarlyNash]

Same here. Got the same "static" image for a few seconds, then the background image is displayed.

[@rickcintron4350]

@@NarlyNash I figured it out. You have to make sure RGB is 5,6,5. My problem was the images were 5,5,5 and that gave the weird ghost image.

[@sentrajgg87]

@@rickcintron4350 how do u chage the image sets

[@sentrajgg87]

I'm having trouble with changing the image process

[@farizadgordon8404]

@@sentrajgg87 did u figure this out? im having same problem

[@Silvermilnec]

anyone done this with JVC KW-M565dbd, i can get into the custom screen but just get the blue nt screen

[@NYCee72]

Works on DDX6706s

[@tripleg7956]

yeah not working for me. ddx918ws - set image up as per downloaded doc. insert usb do the tap thing on the screen. click first icon and goes to red screen with NG in the middle

[@gill4794]

Justin Matsoukas doing the same for me. A more detailed video would be great

[@hanl6423]

Me too, have you solved it ?

[@tripleg7956]

sorta gave up haven't fix the issue

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Did anyone figure this out?

[@elbrujomaya]

@@JackofAllMasterofNone after 7 months anybody figure this out? i got the same problem,

[@randondude2274]

can i also use sd card slot?

[@AutoChimp]

usb

[@christopheraudette6683]

How do we restore the original Kenwood startup screen?

[@nargear1424]

Will this work for the DDX9906XR wireless apple car play 2019 version? I keep getting the NG. what does this mean? is my image wrong??? im doing the 1280x720 but i can only save it as 8 bit ???

[@EastTennessee12]

NARGEAR I got the same NG on my 996. I bet the text file is not the correct one

[@nawafalqattan2075]

Its not on my kenwood dnx 8220bt anyone know how plz help

[@anthonycastillo6677]

Does this work on DDX5706S?

[@georgemichaelcuevas4724]

Did you find out if it works?

[@alexandertanto]

Not working on ddx717wbt. Anyone can help?