Kenwood Car Stereo seems to be incompaible with DroidX

[jmccoy70]

New Kenwood stereo will play Music stored on a Memory stick through the USB connection.

Using the USB cable that came with my DX connected to same Kenwood stereo

DX switched to Mass storage mode.  Stereo readout apppeared to be trying to read the DX.

No music.  No files listed.

When I looked at the DX it said Mass storage but also said "Folder Empty".

Is there some sort of setup that needs to be done?

The Kenwood will also work with an Ipod Micro.

[Wildman]

I do not think that this is Kenwood or Droid issue, the Mass Storage option doesn't use the same type of hardware drivers so I wouldn't be surprised that it doesn't work correctly, my Clarion or Kenwood doesn't read any phones when using the Mass Storage option... The usb software is already configured to work a iPod or iPhone, I am sure this feature will become compatible eventually.

[jmccoy70]

Are you saying that the issue will eventually resolve with a driver update?

I am wondering why Kenwood can read the 16gig stick as a mass storage device and not be able to read the DX as a mass storage device.  Guess I will make an attempt to look at the stick and see where the music is stored and then try to make the DX storage look like that of the stick.

[Wildman]

I wish it was that simple but All hardware requires compatible drivers to operate the component for the Mass Storage  but also the compatible drivers to communicate with the phones os and hardware... This feature didn't work on the iPhone until the programmers for the radio added the feature with the support driver, usually when the software is installed on a device the company do not update the software any longer for that device until the new model comes out.

[jmccoy70]

I get that if I want the Kenwood Steereo to recognize the Droid X that I need to either buy a new Kenwood that includes that capability or Look for an App that makes the Droid X look like an IPOD.

What I don't understand is:

If My pc can see the DX as a Mass storage device (Drive F)

and if

The Kenwood can flip the DX into Mass Storage mode just like the PC does

and if

The Kenwood can go into Mass storage mode to use a USB connected 16 gig memory stick

Why the Kenwood can not Interact with the DX as a Mass Storage device?

It seems to me the Drivers for the 16 g stick and the DX have to be pretty much alike since they both lfunction on the PC, so it would seem that they should both work on the Kenwood.?????

[crb79]

If you have an older stereo chances are it can't read anything over 4gb depending on the specs of the stereo.  Most newer head units can handle 16gb no problem.

[jmccoy70]

Yes this is a relatively new Aftermarket addon stereo from Kenwwod and it currently handles an Ipod Micro and a 16gigabyte Memory stick with no Problem. I can see why it would not work with the Droid in the sme way It works with the Ipod, but I cand see why it ignores the music on the 16gig SD card.

[Wildman]

This may be caused by a missing contoller to understand how to read the data... There can be multiple controllers that reads and figures how to use the data and harware, the unit may have data to realize that the storage device is present but after that it may be confused on what to do with it.

Have you tried the Kenwood forum, maybe Someone figured out a trick to work around this situation?

[crb79]

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jmccoy70 wrote:

Yes this is a relatively new Aftermarket addon stereo from Kenwwod and it currently handles an Ipod Micro and a 16gigabyte Memory stick with no Problem. I can see why it would not work with the Droid in the sme way It works with the Ipod, but I cand see why it ignores the music on the 16gig SD card.

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You are going to have to chase this up the Kenwood end of things.  I don't think they allow firmware updates via usb so if it's not working currently then there most likely isn't a fix for it.  If you have an aux-in on your stereo, you could use a male to male headphone cable and just play the songs via your Droid's music player.  These cables cost like $5 at walmart.

[hallcp1019]

i have a kenwood i bought in early 2009 and it picks up my x as a mass storage device i went back and forth from my zune, ipod, and x and all operated the same just plug in and select the music and it would also play the audio for any videos on all the devices... i paid like 225 for my radio so it isnt some hightech creature but the non-compatibility issue isnt with all kenwoods.

[jmccoy70]

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hallcp1019 wrote:

i have a kenwood i bought in early 2009 and it picks up my x as a mass storage device i went back and forth from my zune, ipod, and x and all operated the same just plug in and select the music and it would also play the audio for any videos on all the devices... i paid like 225 for my radio so it isnt some hightech creature but the non-compatibility issue isnt with all kenwoods.

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Yea thanks. Early 2009 from BestBuy at around 225.00 for this one as well.

If you don't mind sharing, what model do you have? 

[jmccoy70]

Turns out the Kenwood KDC MP342U remote control has Bluetooth commands but they only work if you add an additional Bluetooth Hands Free Box  into the system.