Don't buy kenwood!

[Underarock13]

Piece of sh*t! So aggravated right now. I've had the ddx773bh for about a month. I liked it. Well then I tried to update it from kenwoods website.might I Followed the instructions to a T. Well now the piece of sh*t is bricked. Failed the update at about 30%, and displayed reset unit. Now all I get is a pink freaking screen. I've used the reset button multiple times, disconnected the battery for awhile, held the power button. Not a freaking thing. Kenwood will never have my business again. Apperently other people on the kenwood forums have experienced this too.... so so so p*ssed after spending over $350 dollars. My question is, is wiring harness universal for other head units? Going to try and return to Amazon or make a warranty claim through kenwood. But from what Ive read that's another $100....... Beyond p*ssed right now.

 

[mattstertx]

Stuff doesn't just brick on its own doesn't work that way. I've never had an issue out of Kenwood and that's all I've ever run.


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[Underarock13]

Then what is a pink screen? It's like the firmware is currupt. When I put my truck in reverse the back up camera comes on. But then back to pink screen. But like I've said the people on the kenwood forums experienced it too after trying to update software.

 

[9th]

Kenwood owner here, updated several times with no issue.
I bought with SquareTrade warranty for worry free.

 

[ColdCase]

Sounds like what happened with my neighbor's Pioneer. She had to throw it into the trash and swore off pioneer. Unfortunate as they do make some decent radios. I've never had an issue with Kenwood, but if you mess up the upgrade on any radio, it can easily be bricked. Often happens if the power gets interrupted during the update.

Yours doesn't sound completly bricked, however. Bricked radios typically don't boot at all. I don't suppose there is a factory reset button hidden somewhere?

 

[Underarock13]

Yeah there's a red triangle that you can press. Goes off and then comes back on the same. :/

 

[adurm]

The truck side wiring harness should be universal for other radios. Have you contacted Kenwood yet?

 

[SilverStreak88]

I only have Kenwood components and my front passenger is blown in less than 6 months. My overall experience with the brand over the years of automotive and home theater has been great, but I think I got a dud on this one. Figure I'll try out some kickers when I get some extra money or go back to Infinity.

 

[Underarock13]

Yeah waiting on their response

 

[autokraftgt]

There is nothing more frustrating than when electrical equipment decides to stop working. However, I probably would not get on a forum and try to entice people not to buy from one of the leading electronic manufacturers simply because your head unit froze during an update. It happens. Kenwood is a great company and I'm sure they will make it right for you. Best of luck!

 

[adrianp89]

Agreed with most other posters. I have done tons of Kenwood updates with no issues. You may have to send it in to them to get it fixed.

 

[KCaudill]

If you would of bought it off Crutchfiled.com you would be able to return it no questions and they have excellent after sales help.

And just because you have had one problem with a particular brand does not mean that brand is crap. Everything electronic breaks some how. People say that about Ram trucks, but you bought one.

 

[Underarock13]

Well I'm still very frustrated and then when you log onto the kenwood forums hoping to find out what happened and start reading how this is a known issue its depressing. Most say its a $100 fix.... I feel bad for the people buying the $900 units and then becoming bricked due to trying to update. I understand y'all may not agree but I like to be able to vent to people on the forums. So if another kenwood owners tried to update they reconsider due to what happened to me.

 

[Hootbro]

You never want to be "that guy" but anything made by man will fail from time to time. If I swore off every company that I had a failed part from, would be living in a mud hut and riding a pack mule to work.

 

[Dr. Righteous]

Stuff doesn't just brick on its own doesn't work that way. I've never had an issue out of Kenwood and that's all I've ever run.


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Depends on the equipment design. A bad design just lets a "blind write" take place over the existing firmware; if the upgrade is interrupted you are hosed.

A good design will buffer the new firmware and preform a CRC check (and other authentications) before it replaces the old firmware.
You would think the latter would be how all modern equipment works; but you would be surprised.

 

[mattstertx]

Hell I had Diablos first version intune brick my truck twice for no reason the tuner just decided to freeze in the middle of uploading a tune but I still love the trinity.


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[Etroze86]

What I'm trying to figure out is why its a $100 bucks to fix something that has a year warranty?

 

[adurm]

Is there a way to roll back to the previous firmware?

 

[Underarock13]

Kenwood referred me back to the seller today to try an exchange. If that doesn't work they they said call the service center. Atleast they said firmware updates do not void the warranty. Contrary to what I've read on the kenwood forums.

 

[catch 22]

Sooo, what's the verdict "do we or do we not" buy Kenwood?

Seriously, I hope they treat you right (Kenwood has always been a stand up company).