KVM Switch

yassarikhan786

yassarikhan786

New member
Hi Guys,

I'm interested in buying a KVM switch, it needs to allow at least a 2 monitor connection and obviously connections for a mouse and keyboard (USB). I am going to be using two computers on the two displays (one display pending - will most likely have it on the weekend). My main rig will be for gaming/other intensive work and my older rig for watching movies and such.

I can't seem to find any credible reviews on them and just wanted to know if any of you are using a KVM Switch and how your finding it.

Thanks
 
You could run 1 monitor to each tower and have your keyboard/mouse plugged into your main tower and use synergy to control the 2nd tower (works like 2 monitors on 1 tower without dragging stuff between screens).

http://synergy-foss.org/
 
I Hunta x said:
You could run 1 monitor to each tower and have your keyboard/mouse plugged into your main tower and use synergy to control the 2nd tower (works like 2 monitors on 1 tower without dragging stuff between screens).

http://synergy-foss.org/
Click to expand...

Thanks mate I will try that when my new monitor arrives
smile.gif
 
Lollipop said:
b12a7a49cd2f1a7861849f91cdddbc99.jpg


This?

DIGITUS Mini KVM Switch DC OC12

407344.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks Lollipop, but I need some reviews so I can be sure I choose one of the better ones. I did find one KVM switch that allows a 2 monitor connection but it costs over £200 on Scan, so I'm going to pass on a KVM switch for now. I will probably pick up a cheap monitor for my old computer.
 
Hi,

I use a cheap Belkin KVM with a vanilla VGA monitor - it's an old Iiyama 18.1" LCD. Does the job. You can use a keyboard combination or the supplied button to flip between machines. As it's a USB device you get the USB Unplugged sound on the machine your switch from and the USB connected sound from the one you've switched to there's a few seconds delay before the keyboard/mouse is active again, but the monitor switches right away.

Such a switch wouldn't be appropriate for a good DVI monitor, also remember that VGA and some DVI don't support high resolutions above about 1920x1200 or there abouts - you need dual-link DVI I think it's called for that.

Switching TWO monitors per PC sound like you'll need a more specialist KVM switch...this might end up costing you mate!

My old Iiyama is good, it has TWO VGA inputs; one for my two switched PCs the other for my laptop
smile.gif
My gamer and Media PC's have their own monitors / TV respectively.

Good luck with the hunt for the right KVM!

Scoob.
 
BaMb1N0 said:
for dual view kvm switches (recommending dvi, not HDMI or anything else):

check out this one: http://www.aten.com/products/productItem.php?model_no=CS1642

pretty good quality, so not that cheap, as you mentioned. but imho still worth it...you may wanna reconsider.
Click to expand...

Oh, I bought one of those for a mate's birthday present - he runs a single Dell 30" and "normal" KVMs just didn't cut it. It's not a bad device but it proved quirky. I.e. you HAVE to plug the keyboard into a particular USB (even though there were several on his model) else it won't detect your key-presses for switching between PCs. Also, things like some of the fancy keyboards out there (can't recall which one he's got) with special features proved problematic. Things like the keyboard failing to respond after the PC had been powered down then back up again. It always took a full power-down at the wall before it responded again. Quirky. Don't know if the keyboard drew too much power or something... A little too Quirky for the near £100 price tag when I got it really.

Recommend you do your homework on this, as it's not quite as simple as you'd think.

Cheers,

Scoob.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I will probably end up getting the one that BaMb1N0 suggested. Thanks again guys. I have a 1920 x 1200 monitor as well now so will I run into any problems?
 
Scoob said:
Oh, I bought one of those for a mate's birthday present - he runs a single Dell 30" and "normal" KVMs just didn't cut it. It's not a bad device but it proved quirky. I.e. you HAVE to plug the keyboard into a particular USB (even though there were several on his model) else it won't detect your key-presses for switching between PCs. Also, things like some of the fancy keyboards out there (can't recall which one he's got) with special features proved problematic. Things like the keyboard failing to respond after the PC had been powered down then back up again. It always took a full power-down at the wall before it responded again. Quirky. Don't know if the keyboard drew too much power or something... A little too Quirky for the near £100 price tag when I got it really.

Recommend you do your homework on this, as it's not quite as simple as you'd think.

Cheers,

Scoob.
Click to expand...

had a similar expierience with a logitech G510 keyboard. seems to draw a little more power than expected.
 
BaMb1N0 said:
had a similar expierience with a logitech G510 keyboard. seems to draw a little more power than expected.
Click to expand...

I am having second thoughts because I have the G510 and a 1920 x 1200 monitor. So it's likely I will run into problems as I power down my machine over night, I never leave it on 24/7.
 
yassarikhan786 said:
I am having second thoughts because I have the G510 and a 1920 x 1200 monitor. So it's likely I will run into problems as I power down my machine over night, I never leave it on 24/7.
Click to expand...

you can actually buy extra power supplies for some ATEN KVM switches so they're not powered by the host anymore. that may be sufficient...may..:-)
 
BaMb1N0 said:
you can actually buy extra power supplies for some ATEN KVM switches so they're not powered by the host anymore. that may be sufficient...may..:-)
Click to expand...

Hi,

The one I bought my friend was a powered one, yet we still had some...oddities with it.

I think at 1920x1200 you should be fine, it's when you go over this you need to take a little more care chosing an appropriate KVM. My cheap Belkin switch for example wouldn't work on my friends 30" Dell @ 2560x1600, but then my KVM is VGA only (it's old) and VGA doesn't support that res anyway.

I only use a KVM on two of my utility PCs, so the Gateway/Server and my old Server which is now a backup box & is only switched on every now and again. It works well for this. I'd not use it on my Gamer as it's a VGA KVM so it would wreck the picture quality. A decent DVI KVM would work - in theory I could have one monitor for three PCs but I have a fairly large desk so: The Gamer has TWO monitors, a 1920x1200 and a 1280x1024 that's on when I need it only - so for diagnostic stuff. The Gateway/Backup/Laptop share ONE 1280x1024 monitor, the Gateway and Backup via the KVM, the laptop via the 2nd input on the monitor.

Personally would often prefer to Remote Desktop to another box rather than KVM to it - sounds silly but it works well. I'd often be on my Gateway/Server PC with a desktop open on several other machines while I do stuff. Flipping between sessions is faster than fliping between PC's on the KVM. Obviously you cannot game (other than basic browser stuff) on a remote session, but that's not what I'd want to use it for anyway.

Cheers,

Scoob.
 
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