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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: ironcoder on Sun, 14 June 2009, 05:38:27

Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: ironcoder on Sun, 14 June 2009, 05:38:27
Hey do any of you guys have a KVM that you really like? I guess my setup here is out of control and it's also throwing a lot of heat on my workspace so I'm going to move all the cases away from me and try to run a 4 port KVM. I guess I save money now since I only have to buy one keyboard (groan).

I want to run dual head but I'm going to have to play some games to make it happen because all my video cards have DVI and VGA out (I don't have dual DVI, dammit).
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: Manyak on Sun, 14 June 2009, 07:16:53
You can always use a software KVM like Synergy (http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/) if you don't need 3D acceleration on more than one machine.

But if you need a real KVM solution, the best ones out there that aren't rackmount are IOGEAR. This one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817107454) is a dual VGA one - you can just use DVI->VGA converters on your graphics cards and run dual VGA instead of dual DVI.
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: Rajagra on Sun, 14 June 2009, 07:47:28
ATEN do some nice switches. The trouble is once you're talking DVI and dual screen the price shoots up. It might be cheaper (and more functional) to buy 2 KVMs. I would do that but my Dell 2405 screens switch between DVI and VGA easily enough, and I switch keyboards and mice through a Belkin F1U400 4x4 USB switcher.

(VGA at 1920x1200 works surprisingly well if connected directly, but when I connect it through an old KVM the ghosting is awful.)
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: CX23882 on Sun, 14 June 2009, 07:48:42
I have the ATEN CS1764 which is a 4-port KVM with DVI and USB support. The cables in the box only support DVI-D, but you can use your own standard cables with DVI-VGA adapters with it if you require VGA over the DVI connector (and it works well with no noticeable blurryness or ghosting even at 1920x1200 VGA) and it uses standard USB cables between the KVM and PC.
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: ironcoder on Sun, 14 June 2009, 08:09:02
Thanks alot guys. I'll look for some of the stuff you mentioned. Manyak I looked at that IOGEAR but it uses USB and I prefer all PS/2 stuff. I'll see if they have a PS/2 version.

I don't really want to go the DVI -> VGA conversion route. I'll have to see what else I can do.

Are there any good shops that ship overseas? I can't order from newegg, the bastards.
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: Manyak on Sun, 14 June 2009, 14:01:59
Quote from: ironcoder;96199
Thanks alot guys. I'll look for some of the stuff you mentioned. Manyak I looked at that IOGEAR but it uses USB and I prefer all PS/2 stuff. I'll see if they have a PS/2 version.

I don't really want to go the DVI -> VGA conversion route. I'll have to see what else I can do.

Are there any good shops that ship overseas? I can't order from newegg, the bastards.

Just an FYI, but if you get VGA cables that are rated for 75ohms you'll get a perfect signal at reasonable distances:

The max length of DVI cables is 16 feet by spec, 25 feet normally, while the max legnth of decent VGA cables is over 100ft before any noticeable data loss.
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: ricercar on Sun, 14 June 2009, 19:25:18
IOGear made a Dual-DVI KVM+audio+USB  that I coveted for a few years; now I can't seem to find it even for window shopping.
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: ironcoder on Mon, 15 June 2009, 07:43:49
Quote from: Manyak;96279
Just an FYI, but if you get VGA cables that are rated for 75ohms you'll get a perfect signal at reasonable distances:

The max length of DVI cables is 16 feet by spec, 25 feet normally, while the max legnth of decent VGA cables is over 100ft before any noticeable data loss.


Thanks Manyak. I don't have to run too far, I should be able to stay within the DVI minimum no problemo.
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: ironcoder on Mon, 15 June 2009, 07:48:11
I can get the LEVEL1 brand locally, anyone ever heard of it?
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: cchan on Mon, 15 June 2009, 07:50:12
I have a LEVEL1 network switch with magnets on the bottom. I usually end up sticking it to the side of one of my servers.
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: ironcoder on Mon, 15 June 2009, 09:19:49
Where would you stick it if it didn't have magnets?

In all seriousness, is it any good?
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: cchan on Mon, 15 June 2009, 16:21:10
It worked reliably and i think it's pretty well constructed. Im accumulating more servers now. need to bring it out again.
Title: Who makes a good DVI KVM?
Post by: ironcoder on Tue, 16 June 2009, 07:09:44
Thanks.