Changing the start screen on Kenwood HUs.

One thing I did like about my Pioneer HUs was I could easily load a custom start screen, but I hated the screen lag..

Finally had time today to do it on my Kenwood Excelon DMX906S.
I used this link and followed the instructions.

DIY: Change Kenwood Start Screen Image
https://carboncarsystems.com.au/diy-change-kenwood-start-screen-image/

https://youtu.be/LRZV2Y-V_CI

I downloaded GIMP to edit the image.
It didn't work the first couple times, image would load weird colors then display correctly for 2 seconds.
I finally figured out the image has to be these exact parameters;

Ensure your image file is labelled “image1” and is in this format

• .BMP 16bit Full Colour RGB 5,6,5 Ratio
• Size 800 x 480 pixels
• Named image1 example: image1.bmp

Found this in the comments of the video and it worked for me..

ccox_27 October 28, 2017
I did everything but when my unit starts up the picture is a total mess for most of the boot up period. it becomes clear for about 2-3 seconds then goes to the warning message. What did I do wrong?

glenn.grahameNovember 8, 2017

I had the same issue, this is what worked for me.

Download GIMP the free photo editor and launch it
Open the image you want to use, make sure it’s the correct size
Click File then Export As and select a save location click export
Choose Advanced Options then under 16 bits choose R5 G6 B5 and click export
Copy that to your usb drive and continue from there on the head unit, should work perfectly, it did for me anyway.

So, watch the video, format your USB, add the file in step 2, and edit your BMP exactly how it reads, do the process in the video to open the HU 'secret' menu, and it works perfectly.

Not sure which Kenwood HUs it does and doesn't work on, but I guess see if yours has the "secret" menu would be a start to find out.

 

Haha, very timely! I'm headed out the door to pick up the install kit for the exact same HU and the start up screen is one of the things I don't like about it. That and the "commercials". I already installed the 906s in my wife's car.

 

I haven’t seen any commercials