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[TMK] Keyboard Protocol Converter
Horsebadorties:
--- Quote from: hasu on Sat, 26 June 2021, 22:37:43 ---Thanks for the descriptors and the info.
I didn't know KVM with DDM at all and it is very intriguing device.
--- End quote ---
Yes, many of the ConnectPro KVMs use DDM. It's very useful. https://connectpro.com/technology/usb-ddm/. But it works only with the KVM's dedicated Keyboard and Mouse ports.
--- Quote from: hasu on Sat, 26 June 2021, 22:37:43 ---I'm not sure I can undertand what your problem is exactly.
--- End quote ---
The problem is that I cannot use the Realforce R2 keyboard with the KVM's dedicated Keyboard port. I can plug it into one of the KVM's generic USB ports and type normally, but there are three annoying issues:
1. I cannot use the KVM's hot key sequences ([ctrl][ctrl][1] or [ctrl][ctrl][2]) to switch computers;
2. When I switch computers with the KVM's buttons, there's a lag of a few seconds before the keyboard is active on the computer I'm switching to. Also, both devices beep while they lose or gain the USB connection.
3. Even though I've disabled time-out on both computers, if I do not switch to one computer for a few hours, the KVM loses the monitor connection to that computer. I'm not 100% sure this is related to the keyboard using the generic USB port, but it has happened three times in one week. This never happens when my other keyboard is on the KVM's keyboard port.
--- Quote from: hasu on Sat, 26 June 2021, 22:37:43 ---What does "KVM's emulation" mean exactly?
--- End quote ---
Sorry, I was not using the correct term. I was referring to the KVM's ability to maintain each computer's connection to the keyboard on the dedicated port. In other words, DDM.
--- Quote from: hasu on Sat, 26 June 2021, 22:37:43 ---I think both Realforce R2 and Hexgears Nova B2 TK support NKRO with seeing their descriptors. I like to know if they still work as NKRO keyboard through the KVM or degrade to 6KRO mode. Can you test that?
Using key test tool see if you can hold more than 6 keys(except for modifiers) at same time.
https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/switch_hitter.html
--- End quote ---
I didn't even know that the Hexgears Nova uses NKRO. Indeed, NKRO does work through the KVM's dedicated keyboard port. Thanks for pointing me to Switch Hitter -- a very interesting tool! With the help of a small hard-cover notebook, I was able to hold 40 keys on the Nova, while connected to the KVM and then while connected to a port on the computer. I got similar results with the Realforce R2 while connected to the computer. I'm attaching log files for all three scenarios. The filenames should provide contexts.
I am confused by these results, after hearing from both support teams that the Realforce's NKRO is at fault. Maybe the Realforce implements NKRO differently. I should reiterate that the KVM does not accept even a single keystroke from the Realforce when it's on the dedicated keyboard port.
By the way, the Hexgears Nova has a key sequence ([Fn]+[~]) to disable NKRO. Then, Switch Hitter confirms that only 6 keys register. The key sequence has no effect on the Realforce.
Thanks again!
Horsebadorties:
Hi again Hasu,
Here's another data point, in case you're interested. I just got a Pimoroni Keybow 2040 keypad: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/keybow-2040?variant=32401989337171.
Just like the Realforce keyboard, it works on a generic USB port, but not on the KVM's keyboard port. I'm attaching the USB TreeView report for the keypad.
Thanks!
hasu:
I see. I didn't found that KVM has two different kind of USB port when checked their site.
I believe you can use hotkey on keyboard pluged into 'DDM' port, not 'generic' port.
Assuming the Hexgear keyboard was connected to 'DDM' port' on SwitchHitter_Hexgears_Nova_thruKVM.log.
Impressive. The KVM can recognizes key strokes from keyboard on 'DDM' port even if the keyboard is NKRO.
It is not easy job for small device to parse USB descriptor and understand NKRO keyboard report.
And it seems to fail to handle NKRO report from Realforce R2 in fact.
I have a bit old Realforce RGB in hand and it has very similar or equivalent USB descriptor to R2.
https://gist.github.com/tmk/7c089602ce7eb70b9be64c7e822be3b9
Realforce RGB/R2 has two keyboard interfaces, one for usual 6KRO keyboard(interface0) and other for NKRO(interface1).
And the keyboard uses interface0 in most cases during usual usage, inteface1 is used only when user press more than 6 keys simultaneously.
Intention of this trick is for compatibility and it should work with legacy and small devices, but it doesn't seem to work with the KVM unfortunately for some reason.
Horsebadorties:
Hi Hasu,
--- Quote from: hasu on Sun, 27 June 2021, 02:16:15 ---I see. I didn't found that KVM has two different kind of USB port when checked their site.
I believe you can use hotkey on keyboard pluged into 'DDM' port, not 'generic' port.
--- End quote ---
That's right. The ConnectPro KVMs usually have two DDM-enabled USB-A ports in back, and two generic USB-A ports in front. In fact, most modern KVMs have two types of USB ports, even if they don't use DDM. KVMs watch only the dedicated keyboard and mouse ports for hotkey sequences.
--- Quote from: hasu on Sun, 27 June 2021, 02:16:15 ---Assuming the Hexgear keyboard was connected to 'DDM' port' on SwitchHitter_Hexgears_Nova_thruKVM.log.
Impressive. The KVM can recognizes key strokes from keyboard on 'DDM' port even if the keyboard is NKRO.
It is not easy job for small device to parse USB descriptor and understand NKRO keyboard report.
And it seems to fail to handle NKRO report from Realforce R2 in fact.
--- End quote ---
Exactly correct. But we can't be sure exactly why the KVM fails with the Realforce R2. Maybe NKRO is not the true cause of the problem! And if we don't understand the cause, we probably cannot fix the problem.
A KVM is essential to me, as I very frequently switch between my work and personal computers. As much as I like the Realforce keyboard, I cannot use it without the KVM. I will probably return it to the seller.
Thanks so much, Hasu.
meawto:
I Just got this keyboard with DIN-7 Connector
anyway to mod this ? or did you have adaptor for sell ?
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