KVM Switches

DamoKen

Hi, I'm going to be building a new pc this week but will still have my old one for email, browsing etc so I want to share the keyboard, mouse and monitor between the 2 without having to unplug and reconnect each time I change pcs. I've been looking at the kvm switches on komplett, but to be honest this is an area I wouldn't be very knowledgeable in.

My keyboard and mouse are usb and my monitor is a Viewsonic VP201S.

Almost all the products I looked at were VGA inputs rather than DVI, that or really expensive. The cheapest I found that looks to be suitable was the ATEN MasterView CS-1762 2P DVI/USB -> https://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=309169&view=detailed which is still more than I wanted to spend just for a switch that's more for convenience than anything else.

So firstly could anyone tell me how good these products are? As in is there degeneration of video signal or mouse responsiveness? The machine I'm building will be for games so any loss of quality is a no no.

Secondly I'm sure I saw a cable a while back that looked like a simple dvd splitter and was cheap, can't seem to find it again though so if anyone knows about them (and they do in fact exist) would really appreciate hearing about it.
Don't really mind unplugging the keyboard and mouse as I could just connect them through the usb ports on the front of each machine, don't like the idea of unplugging the dvi cable each time though, not only because of the inconvenience, but also cos I'm sure it's not good for the video cards to be doing that everyday!

cheers

h2s

I've used a four port KVM for years now and no problems. They are not cheap.

Now I'm no expert so I stand to be corrected when I say I can find no degradation in either input device signal or monitor signal.

They are very handy, just make sure that when booting a particular pc that the KVM is pointing to that machine, otherwise the PC may not identify the correct monitor and load a default one.

My only draw back is the KVM I have is old and does not have sound capabilities.

EDIT: have a look at the Belkin ones.

DamoKen

Hi h2s, I was looking at the Belkin ones too but they all seemed to only support vga. Didn't see anything for dvi unless I missed it?

h2s

Yeah I look again at the one Komplett have and they only have VGA.

Belkin do several DVI ones, and elara have some - http://www.elara.ie/products/kvms.asp?srch=DVI+kvm&anyallexact=all&manu=BELKIN&mancode=&searchBtn=Search+%3E&layershowhide=

Belkin have a 4 port DVI too, but it is expensive at about €300- 400 and I havn't seen it over here.

degsie

How about a fairly simple software solution as in here?

The Real B-man

h2s wrote:

Yeah I look again at the one Komplett have and they only have VGA.

Belkin do several DVI ones, and elara have some - http://www.elara.ie/products/kvms.asp?srch=DVI+kvm&anyallexact=all&manu=BELKIN&mancode=&searchBtn=Search+%3E&layershowhide=

Belkin have a 4 port DVI too, but it is expensive at about €300- 400 and I havn't seen it over here.

Stay away from belkin they are very tempremental we use adderviews in work and the belkins choose not to work randomly

DamoKen

hi guys, sorry for the delay in getting back, my original machine keeps crashing requiring fresh os installs (one reason for building a new machine). I'll be replacing the mobo though soon enough with a cheap old 939 agp socket board if I can find it so will still be using both machines.

That link Degsie looks very interesting, the only con I can see is that it would require the machine connected to the monitor to be always on. Worthwhile trying out though so cheers for that.

Might knock the idea of the hardware switch on the head if they're that pricey (and tempermental). Try the software solution for the moment and maybe pick up a cheap keyboard and monitor over the next while for the old machine.

thanks

luckylucky

I didn't see the point of starting a whole new thread on this. I'm looking to use my USB keyboard and mouse on both my desktop and laptop, I'm not that bothered about the monitor side of things i.e. I just want a very efficient KVM that doesn't hang and switches between both desktop and laptop quickly. Any recommendations?

Also if I don't use the monitor port in the KVM I presume it'll still work ok?

SickBoy

I'm selling the ATEN MasterView CS-1764 4P DVI/USB on adverts.ie if you're interested..
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=32382&cat=all

luckylucky

Bit too pricey for me personally, besides I live in Portugal

DamoKen

not much help I know, but just in case you're wondering what I did. Remembered I had a vga port as well as the dvi port on my monitor and as I only use the second machine for browsing,mail etc just hooked a spare vga cable to it. As both machines have front usb ports it's not too much hassle swapping over to the machine I'm using.

as I said, not much help

h2s

Maplin have a good range of KVMs of all sorts, with USB, DVI etc...

I bought one last week to replace my old belkin - "Sitecom" and it works great, however not cheap at €98.

I spotted a few USB ones in their catalogue, but not sure how good/reliable the various makes are. They start at about €66.

matt-dublin

why spend money on a DVI-KVM when you can use remote desktop or VNC?

if you're only using it for browsing and email it would be a much cheaper or actually free! solution!!!!

KVM for home use = waste of money!

Khannie

matt-dublin wrote:

why spend money on a DVI-KVM when you can use remote desktop or VNC?

if you're only using it for browsing and email it would be a much cheaper or actually free! solution!!!!

KVM for home use = waste of money!

What he said.

biko

http://www.apc.com/search/results.cfm?qt=kvm