VIDEO AND SECURITY
Kenwood Excelon KVT-815DVD
By Paul Sonoda
Posted on Wednesday, Dec 1, 2004

If you could have any car, regardless of money, but only one, which one would you choose? This hypothetical question is asked all the time by one car enthusiast to another. In the world of car audio, the question is “If you could have only one head unit, regardless of money, which one would you have?” Dubbed “Future Ready” head unit by its maker, the Kenwood Excelon KVT-815DVD should definitely be on the short list.

First Look
The Kenwood Excelon KVT-815DVD is a single ISO-DIN chassis removable face head unit. It incorporates a 7-inch flip out touchscreen monitor with a widescreen (16:9) aspect ratio. When the screen is hidden away, the Kenwood has a “5 x 7” blue color dot matrix display that informs the user on the status of the unit. The KVT-815DVD has the ability to play DVD Video, CD, MP3, and WMA formats and includes a 24-bit digital-to-analog converter for great sound quality. For DVD performance, it uses a Digital Anti-Skip capability of three seconds. Using a new “Z-action” mechanism, the KVT-815DVD adjusts +28 degrees through -21 degrees (in 8 steps) to be installed in many different vehicles without interfering with the dashboard controls.

Fitting all the functionality of the Kenwood KVT-815DVD is not possible. As a result, an outboard control box contains audio and video switching, while also housing the speaker amplifier. The Kenwood KVT-815DVD has the ability to add additional control boxes for every possible feature available on a source unit.

Its speaker outputs are rated to deliver a CEA-2006 standard of 22 watts per channel with a maximum claimed power of 50 watts x 4. The KVT-815DVD has front, rear, and a pair of non-fading subwoofer outputs. All RCA outputs are rated to deliver 5 volts, RMS. Additionally, there’s a set of audio video inputs and outputs. The Kenwood KVT-815DVD includes a programmable security code and removable faceplate finished with an industrial silver ebony finish.

A Closer Look
The Kenwood KVT-815DVD can control many different auxiliary systems. Connecting through the hideaway unit, the KVT-815DVD can integrate a full featured navigation unit, TV Tuner, CD Changer, HD radio, and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. You can also add Kenwood’s Music Keg (a hard drive-based MP3 storage device). Of course, all of these options come at an extra charge. What I find most interesting is the A.M.S. functions that are special to all Kenwood Excelon amplifiers. From the touchscreen display, you can control many parameters of the amplifier — that is BAAAD A$$.

What I find real cool about the KVT-815DVD is the ability to split source the outputs. The KVT-815DVD can direct one of its sources (tuner, DVD, TV, CD, navigation) to the front channels and a different source to the rear channels. You could use this to listen to CD’s in the front while having the rear passengers play GTA San Andreas on a set of rear monitors. Even the volume for both can be controlled separately. Combine this with the ability to play DVD-Video, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, VCD, CD, CD-R/RW, and MP3/WMA-Encoded CD-R/RW Discs, the Kenwood KVT-815DVD can truly serve as your one head unit for every situation.

Ease Of Use
Basic functions of the Kenwood KVT-815DVD are easy to use. Simply inserting a DVD into the unit brings up the menu information needed to get things started. Surfing through the visual interface, I was able to set separate tone controls for each source, turn-off that annoying verification beep, and program the 24 station presets (18 FM, 6 AM) using the automatic station memory functions. The KVT-815DVD also displays CD text, RDS radio information and offers the ability to name the radio stations.

While I found the on-screen controls of the KVT-815DVD easy to use, the mechanical buttons were small and harder to use. The joystick that controlled the track functions was especially sensitive, making it difficult to scan through to the middle of a song or find a particular part in a DVD. I found the remote difficult to use until I noticed the little slider button on the side that you must change to control different functions of the KVT-815DVD. To control the advanced functions of the Kenwood unit, you must read the owner’s manual.

Virtual Changer
I burned my MP3 collection on my laptop to a DVD-R. (Yes, all of the MP3s are legal) On a whim, I decided to place the DVD into the Kenwood KVT-815DVD. Much to my pleasure, the KVT-815DVD recognized the DVD. Think about it -- the sound quality was very similar to CD, and I had over 28 albums recorded at 320Kbps. The access between the different folders (albums) was near instantaneous. WOW

Installation
The installation of the Kenwood KVT-815DVD is a double edge sword. The ISO-DIN unit is very easy to install. Using the mounting holes, I was able to mount it to my factory radio brackets. The unit did stick out a little farther than I would have liked, but that could be adjusted by making new holes on the brackets. The outboard unit and all the wires and cables necessary to connect it to the system are big and cumbersome. Kenwood did provide all the necessary wires for almost any installation (nice touch), and installing the unit under the passenger seat proved to be not too difficult. Because of the complexity of this install, it’s recommended that you have your authorized Kenwood dealer perform the installation.

Manuals/Web Support
Kenwood’s Web site, www.kenwoodusa.com, was easy to navigate and informative. I quickly found my way to the KVT-815DVD. The site not only provided specifications and information on the KVT-815DVD, but it also gave links to all the accessories and outboard interfaces available to the unit. Nice touch. The manuals (one for use and one for installation) are well written and contain all of the information necessary to get the most out of the KVT-815DVD. At the time of the writing this article, no manual was available for download.

Sound Q & Performance
The Kenwood KVT-815DVD is a strong performer. With the controls set flat, I was able to easily exceed its rated RCA outputs with 5.22 V RMS at 1 kHz. The KVT-815DVD did not clip the RCA outputs at any time. Using the speaker outputs, the Kenwood delivered 22.18 watts into 4 ohms with less than 1% THD + Noise (Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise) with the volume control set to 29 (out of 35). Very respectable. The KVT-815DVD delivered an impressive 106 dBA signal-to-noise on the speaker outputs. To balance the RCA and speaker outputs, setting the fader to R8 of F8 allowed both outputs to reach maximum output at the same volume control. The picture quality was excellent. Playing several different movies (regular and burned DVD’s) the picture quality of the Kenwood KVT-815DVD always looked fantastic. The audio performance was equally as good. Bass sounded extremely powerful and the highs were smooth and detailed without sounding too bright.

Summary
If you want it all, the Kenwood KVT-815DVD is a great choice. Adding all the options will cost you a pretty penny, but you’re worth it. Aren’t you? Not only does the KVT-815DVD have the ability to do so many different things, it has the performance to back it up. Even if you drive a second hand beater, the Kenwood KVT-815DVD will make you think you’re in a McLaren F1. Ok, it won’t. But you’ll have the audio/video performance of that caliber. Isn’t that enough?