KVM type question.

[CityK]

Quest for some desktop simplicity for dual computer setup

I Want a KVM which has the following:

1 VGA input (1920x1200)
1 DVI input (1920x1200)
USB K/M
Audio switch

Is it possible? Does it exist? Does it cost less then two cups of coffee a day?

Or would just sticking with something along the lines of this (for K/B & mouse), and getting a simple A/B switch for the audio, and then using the monitor's VGA/DVI switching ability be the more practical solution?

Merc, what do you use for your legions of comporners? Surely you don't have a k/b, rodent, and speakers for each unit?

 

[Bozo]

Can't help with your KVM switch, but ......
If you have a programable mouse or one with special features, it might not work with a KVM switch.
Neither my Logitech MxLaser or MS explorer wireless mice can use their features when attached to a KVM switch. They work fine as a generic PS2 mouse though.

Bozo :mrgrn:

 

[CityK]

Thanks for the tip Bozo. I wasn't aware about that.

I wonder if the same thing would be true of that Belkin USB switch?

 

[i]

Thanks for the tip Bozo. I wasn't aware about that.

I wonder if the same thing would be true of that Belkin USB switch?

There should be technical documents for it on Belkin's website. I had the same concerns about the scroll wheel on my PS/2 mouse before I bought a KVM. Turns out it was no problem. And if you're using USB, I would think the odds of support would be even higher. But Belkin should specify somewhere.

 

[CityK]

There should be technical documents for it on Belkin's website.

That's a great idea! Why didn't i think of that?

Umm, i did think of that.

Oh, yes, quite right.

But Belkin should specify somewhere.

Nope. But by the looks of it, I don't think a keyboard/mouse would work. There doesn't seem to be any buttons on the thing either...just a software switch. Bleeeach!

This looks like it can, however, this looks like it would be the winner:

What operating systems will the USB Switch work with?
It will work with any operating system or computer that has existing functioning USB ports.

I like the sounds of that.

 

[ddrueding]

looks good. If you use a USB k/b, mouse, and soundcard then you can just use the buttons on your screen for the video. This way you have less distortion of your analoge video and audio, as neither passes through a switch.

 

[mangyDOG]

Check out http://www.aten.com/ for your KVM.

I have stopped using all other brands after trying a couple ot theirs. Excellent quality, and the smaller units come with the cables supplied which saves quite a bit. On their website at the moment they are advertising a dual view (as in two monitors) model which may suite your requirements.


Cheers,
mangyDOG

 

[CityK]

Thanks mangy. I'll give them a look over later on.

 

[P5-133XL]

Are there any dual link DVI KVM's out there? All the DVI KVM's that I know of limit themselves to 1600x1200. Don't you need a dual link DVI for resolutions above that?

 

[CityK]

Mark, I don't think there are any dual link KVMs...there are hardly any DVI KVMs for that matter. Anyways, I don't think that dual link it is absolutely necessary, but certainly would be advantagous if not desirable.

I believe most would be able to handle above 1600x1200. I think that it is just a matter of the manufactures printing numbers that conform to the original DVI technical specifications. I guess it is analogous to the fact that single link DVI can drive 1920x1200 by reducing blanking, irregardless of the fact that such cards are obviously operating above the original DVI 1600x1200 specification.

Of course, I'm only guessing.....but then, giving some consideration to the fact that the computer industry has a bad habit of manufacturing ill conceived products that just won't do what I want them to (like my laundry, press my shirts, etc etc), I guess it would also be wise to heed some caution before making any such assumptions.

 

[MaxBurn]

Check out http://www.aten.com/ for your KVM.

I have stopped using all other brands after trying a couple ot theirs. Excellent quality, and the smaller units come with the cables supplied which saves quite a bit. On their website at the moment they are advertising a dual view (as in two monitors) model which may suite your requirements.


Cheers,
mangyDOG

I found this old thread as I am looking for a high quality 4 Port KVM for basic VGA and PS2 mouse/keyboard but a really good quality video pass through, going to be using 1600x1200@85hz mostly.

The Aten CS-74E or the CS-914 seem to be along the lines of what I am looking for but I don't see a reasonable place to buy them.

I will entertain any suggestions on a high video quality KVM swith. I have outgrown my Dlink 2 poit job and I never liked it's video quality anyway.

 

[time]

Aten units are great. I know where to get them in Oz, but that probably doesn't help you ...

 

[Mercutio]

I connect to most of my machines through VNC or RDP, actually. I have a KVM set up on my workbench so I can alternate between two or three PCs there, but for my stuff I think the remote view programs are just as, if not easier to deal with.

 

[Tannin]

Another vote for Aten. I've been using them for years.

 

[MaxBurn]

Looks like anten has a knockoff brand called IOgear. I rather like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817107416

 

[CityK]

The Aten CS-1762 looks pretty nice.

The Gefen stuff looks good too. I note that their single link dvi appears to support the higher resolutions - 1920x1200.

 

[CityK]

Anandtech's review of Gefen's DVI DL highlighted a few interesting points to watch out for.

 

[i]

Can anyone suggest an 8 port, rackmount, USB (i.e. no PS/2) KVM switch?

 

[i]

Hmmm ... this one by Aten looks promising.

 

[MaxBurn]

Seeing as this popped back up I am going to post my experience with the IOgear GCS1734:

-Video quality pass through is very good, sharp picture at 1600x1200@85Hz.

-Special extra buttons on mice pass through fine, but I can't use the speaker controls on my Saitek Eclipse keyboard for some reason.

-Not compatible with Logitech MX1000 (per mfg website not compatible with ANY wireless mouse) Symptoms; the mouse pointer jumps once and a while, some people could probably live with that.

-Rather picky on the keyboards too (not compatible with the PS/2 to USB Converters) Symptoms; does not work at all.

-Not compatible with NVIDIA NFORCE 4 CHIPSET MOTHERBOARDS!!!.
Symptoms; when the computer is in the BIOS or DOS utilities such as Partition Magic the keyboard and mouse work fine. Once windows xp is loaded the keyboard and mouse stop working for long periods of time, reset and work for a couple seconds and then stop again. This happens on ALL computers attached to the KVM.

Fix; Add in a USB PCI card and attach the KVM to that. Problem; will fix above problem, but you just lost another PCI slot for no reason AND you won't be able to use the keyboard in DOS utilities or BIOS.

From the manufacturer:

We are working with nForce on this issue. They have yet to supply a fix
for this. The only fix as of now is the USB card. I have no date for
when a fix will be out.
Thanks,
Service Support

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Jalbert [mailto:scottjal@********.**]
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 8:17 PM
To: IOGEAR Support
Cc: IOGEAR Sales
Subject: GCS1734 need firmware update does not work with NVIDIA !!!


I have a couple new computers recently based on the very popular Nvidia
Nforce 4 SLI chipset and apparently based on my direct experience and
some research on the web the GCS1734 is just plain not compatible with
Nvidia chipset motherboards at all? Is this really true that this
product is not compatible with 80% of the AMD computers available today?

I need the firmware update for this KVM switch that fixes this problem.
Adding in another USB card is not an option in this case for all the
computers that won't work on this model switch.

Model: GCS1734
Serial: Z*********** and two others that I am not going to dig out at
the moment.


sj

I am aware I came of as a jerk in that email but believe me that was pretty restrained at the time I figured this out.

I am totally kicking myself because I knew I was going out on a ledge when I decided that USB mice/keyboard was an OK move, I have always been a big fan of the PS/2 HID's because they ALWAYS WORK EVERY TIME in DOS, windows whatever.

 

[i]

Thanks for posting that, MaxBurn. I'd forgotten about those kind of potential issues with USB keyboards/mice. Not sure what to look at now...

 

[MaxBurn]

Well, personally, I am looking to go back to PS/2 for my KVM. For me the Aten CS-914 looks good. Of course no one sells the thing it looks like.


I have Gigabyte (my motherboard manufacturer) looking into a new USB driver to correct the problem I am having. There may be a solution down that road via Nvidia but I won't hold my breath. Props to Gigabyte for trying though.

 

[Fushigi]

Hmmm ... this one by Aten looks promising.

I have 2 of the ACS1216A 16 port units. They're OK, but you need to connect the KVM switch to the PC/server for the server to detect it when powering up. Minor annoyance.

 

[MaxBurn]

Hmmm ... this one by Aten looks promising.

I have 2 of the ACS1216A 16 port units. They're OK, but you need to connect the KVM switch to the PC/server for the server to detect it when powering up. Minor annoyance.

I don't think that's the KVM's fault, PS/2 isn't hot pluggable.


I am starting to have evil thoughts, this could be just the kick in the but I need to go to a LCD with DVI.