Kenwood USA introduces five premium in-car multimedia systems for 2010 under their flagship Excelon brand.

Kenwood introduces a new flagship double-DIN multimedia / navigation receiver, the DNX9960. Advanced 3-D navigation technology by Garmin is included, offering three-dimensional buildings and landmarks with many images being photo-realistic. Lane Assist with Junction View are two new features that reduce highway interchange confusion and improve driving safety. The DNX9960 also includes built-in NAVTEQ Live Traffic service that is free for the life of the product. For maximizing fuel efficiency while driving, the DNX9960 offers the Garmin-developed EcoRoute™ feature that measures the impact of your driving habits on the environment and suggests routes that will provide the most efficient fuel consumption. Kenwood’s voice control feature allows the user to fully operate the navigation system and utilize features such as entering addresses or phone numbers, choosing menu options and select points of interest. The voice control system will also operate the audio and video systems, allowing the user to change between multiple sources, seek out music and video files and access station presets. In addition, the DNX9960 can decode MPEG4 and AVC/H.264 and WMV video files from an external USB drive.

The DNX9960 utilizes a “Dynamic 3-D Transition Effects (FXUI™ Technology)” graphic user interface (GUI) with selectable skins and movable, drag-and-drop icons for complete customization. A high-resolution WVGA 6.95” touchscreen with Dynamic Brightness Control provides the best looking DVD video, iPod video, USB video, navigation maps and source icons. The latest Parrot Bluetooth module is built into the DNX9960 and is compatible with almost all cellular telephones on the market.

The double-DIN DNX6960 is a value-added combination of cutting edge technologies, intuitive user interface and great Kenwood Excelon quality. With the Garmin navigation and Parrot Bluetooth built right into the unit, the DNX6960 offers the latest in technologies at an attractive price. A compact front-panel knob is included to easily control volume, while a front-panel mini A/V input allows for convenient connection of a portable device such as a digital camera or camcorder. An upgraded 6.1” WVGA LCD touch screen panel gives the user complete control over multiple audio and video sources, including DVD, MP3/WMA compact disc, iPod, iPhone, external mass storage devices, satellite radio and HD Radio (optional iPod, HD Radio or satellite radio accessories may be required). The user can customize the hard-key illumination colors of the DNX6960 to match the unit’s faceplate lighting to the interior lighting of many vehicles, while the background and startup screen graphics can be changed to show personal photos or the brand logo of the vehicle.

The Kenwood Excelon DDX896 double-DIN DVD receiver features “Dynamic 3-D Transition Effects (FXUI™ Technology)” GUI, source icon customization, high resolution video, built-in Parrot Bluetooth and upgraded audio features just like the DNX9960 with the exception of Garmin navigation and voice commands. A 6.95” WVGA touch screen with Dynamic Brightness Control delivers exceptional video performance, perfect for when the user searches iPod content by scrolling by album artwork (similar to iPhone). The DDX896 can also decode MPEG4 and AVC/H.264 and WMV video files from an external USB drive. The optional KNA-G610 ($600.00 suggested retail price) is a hideaway module for those customers who wish to add Garmin navigation to the DDX896 at a later time.

The P-NAV696 multimedia/navigation package has an oversized 7” WQVGA touch screen monitor with a flip-out Z-Action mechanism, and is the ideal Kenwood Excelon choice for single-DIN multimedia/navigation applications. The P-NAV696 offers GUI customization and gives the user the ability to highlight three favorite sources for easy, immediate selection. A USB input is provided that allows video files to be played directly via iPod video, iPod Touch or iPhone. The P-NAV696 package consists of the KVT-696 in-dash DVD receiver and the KNA-G610 hideaway Garmin navigation module. The KNA-G610 is available for those customers who wish to add Garmin navigation to a stand-alone KVT-696 at a later time.

The DNX9960, DNX6960, DDX896, P-NAV696 and KVT-696 come with a two-year warranty and are available only through authorized Kenwood Excelon retailers.

DNX9960
Suggested Retail Price – $2,000.00
Availability – April 2010

DNX6960
Suggested Retail Price – $1,200.00
Availability – January 2010

DDX896
Suggested Retail Price – $1,100.00
Availability – March 2010

P-NAV696
Suggested Retail Price – $1,350.00
Availability – January 2010

KVT-696
Suggested Retail Price – $950.00
Availability – January 2010