Author Topic: I Need a KVM Switch! (Read 6560 times)

Waterdr1nker · « **on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 13:18:17 »

Hello, everybody.

Is anyone using a KVM switch for two (or more, I guess) computers? I have a desktop that I just built and a MacBook Pro that I've been using for the past couple of years, and I have them using the same monitor. Right now, I'm using two keyboards and two mice to control each pc.

It's very annoying.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for KVM switches? Also, will KVM switches effect any of the input devices' features such as nkro?

Thanks for the help everyone.

alaricljs · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 13:43:58 »

Typically a USB KVM doesn't handle advanced USB keyboards. This is because it's not forwarding the connection, it's hosting the USB KB and then presenting itself as a different USB KB to the destination end. Basically YMMV, but don't expect any KB that uses USB trickery for NKRO to work.

As for good recommendations, there's not that much difference between them in the 2-4 connection class except for looks and extra features like audio and additional USB device switching.

Stevieboy7 · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 13:44:03 »

I'm also coming into the same situation.
specifically an option available for wireless mouse, wired keyboard, monitor, and stereo speakers.

Waterdr1nker · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 14:09:29 »

Quote from: alaricljs;388851

Typically a USB KVM doesn't handle advanced USB keyboards. This is because it's not forwarding the connection, it's hosting the USB KB and then presenting itself as a different USB KB to the destination end. Basically YMMV, but don't expect any KB that uses USB trickery for NKRO to work.

As for good recommendations, there's not that much difference between them in the 2-4 connection class except for looks and extra features like audio and additional USB device switching.

Would say a Filco still have 6kro over USB via a switch?

alaricljs · « **Reply #4 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 14:27:23 »

Yes, since that's 'normal' for USB.

Waterdr1nker · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 14:51:41 »

Thanks! I just ordered this one here: http://goo.gl/sxykC

I've had lots of luck with Monoprice, so I'm sure this will be good, as well.

Stevieboy7, I think this might be something you're looking for: http://goo.gl/X05eh

alaricljs · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 15:07:06 »

Quick, cancel your order. That's not a KVM.

edit: Now that I've got that part out of the way, here's why....

I purchased something very like that (Siig brand if I recall) and they deliberately don't work with keyboards. The claim was that computers couldn't handle losing the keyboard even if it was USB, so they were protecting the consumer and would not provide a workaround.

TexasFlood · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 15:29:05 »

I got this from radio shack when it was on sale. It works, nothing fancy. I don't have a Mac though.

TexasFlood · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 15:32:07 »

I got this from radio shack when it was on sale. It works, nothing fancy. I don't have a Mac though. I just use the keyboard part of it.

TacticalCoder · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 15:34:12 »

Quote from: Waterdr1nker;388832

Does anyone have a good recommendation for KVM switches? Also, will KVM switches effect any of the input devices' features such as nkro?

Others will comment for the keyboards but cheap VGA KVM switches will for sure deteriorate the quality of the picture.

If you don't see the difference between the quality of the image when you use a VGA cable and a DVI cable, then a cheap VGA KVM switch may work for you.

However if you're used to the superior quality of DVI cables then a VGA KVM switch may not be for you and that may be something to keep in mind.

I've got a 24" screen shared between my workstation (no sound, it's just for work) and my MacBook Pro laptop but the screen itself has two DVI inputs and I just switch keyboards (when I'm not using remote desktop programs).

There's no way I'd change those two DVI cables to go back to VGA like if we were in the nineties ; )

alaricljs · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 15:48:09 »

Plenty of DVI KVMs, however they're a lot closer to $100. The other thing to check is the resolution capacity of the DVI KVM, they are generally single channel, and top out at 1920x1200@60Hz

Waterdr1nker · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 15:58:44 »

Quote from: alaricljs;388904

Quick, cancel your order. That's not a KVM.

edit: Now that I've got that part out of the way, here's why....

I purchased something very like that (Siig brand if I recall) and they deliberately don't work with keyboards. The claim was that computers couldn't handle losing the keyboard even if it was USB, so they were protecting the consumer and would not provide a workaround.

I was thinking about this, but according to the reviews, it should work fine with my situation.

One of the reviews says this: "I got this without knowing completely whether it would do what I wanted. For weeks, I searched for an inexpensive way to share my keyboard and mouse between two computers sort of like a KVM without the "V". I'm happy to report that this works perfectly to swap my keyboard and mouse back and forth between my Mac and PC."

I don't really need a monitor switch because I can switch the inputs from the monitor itself, so this seems perfect.

alaricljs · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 16:09:01 »

How nice, when I did my search for a device that did that there were no reviews that said one way or the other on any device I found. So I picked one and got burned. Pretty light on the description details. Once you have it can you let us know whether there's a 'driver' with hotkey support? That may have been the requirement that kept this one out of my search.

TacticalCoder · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 16:42:40 »

Quote from: alaricljs;388935

Plenty of DVI KVMs, however they're a lot closer to $100. The other thing to check is the resolution capacity of the DVI KVM, they are generally single channel, and top out at 1920x1200@60Hz

I know I know, I searched for one a while ago (but ended up getting a 24" with two DVI inputs ; )

I was just warning the OP that if he wanted DVI that would be a bit more expensive than $25 VGA KVMs : )

alaricljs · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 16:46:06 »

I was just providing that little extra info, no biggie... I also have the 24" with dual inputs, and even went so far as a 2nd 24" with dual inputs. There were some issues with the keyboard sharing solution I had been using so I attempted that USB switcher previously mentioned. Now I'm on the 5th or 6th iteration of sharing the monitor between these 2 computers

Waterdr1nker · « **Reply #15 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 19:10:04 »

Quote from: alaricljs;388946

Once you have it can you let us know whether there's a 'driver' with hotkey support? That may have been the requirement that kept this one out of my search.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by this. Will you elaborate?

TacticalCoder · « **Reply #16 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 19:50:54 »

Quote from: alaricljs;388953

...and even went so far as a 2nd 24" with dual inputs...

:roll:

Lucky you, I also have a 2nd 24" but it has only one DVI input

But anyway it's not too bad because my MacBookPro only has one DVI output : )

alaricljs · « **Reply #17 on:** Thu, 28 July 2011, 22:12:57 »

I see that the unit you picked has buttons on it to tell it where to associate the USB signals. The one I chose had that and also showed up as a device to both connected machines and had a driver that allowed you to assign a hotkey to tell it to switch to the computer sending the hotkey press. I didn't see any real info about the device other than the simple statement of functionality.

Waterdr1nker · « **Reply #18 on:** Mon, 01 August 2011, 20:08:44 »

Hey, I just got the Monoprice unit in the mail and it works great!

Also, I don't think this was mentioned here, but there is this piece of software that allows you to share one keyboard and one mouse over the same network. It feels like I'm using one computer with two monitors. If you'd like to take a look and see for yourself, here's a link:

Synergy

Both the USB switch and the software work very well, but for now, I'm using Synergy just for the ease of use; I don't have to reach over, manually click the switches, and wait for the OS to load the hardware. All I have to do is move the cursor to the other computer. =)

gg

alaricljs · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 01 August 2011, 20:25:56 »

Glad you found synergy, I sort of assumed you knew of it. There's a wiki here on it. Since you have just the 1 monitor a KVM is usually the better solution. What made you go for the USB switcher and then onto synergy?

Waterdr1nker · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 02 August 2011, 13:46:43 »

Quote from: alaricljs;391281

Glad you found synergy, I sort of assumed you knew of it. There's a wiki here on it. Since you have just the 1 monitor a KVM is usually the better solution. What made you go for the USB switcher and then onto synergy?

I'm using the Windows desktop on the monitor, and I have the Macbook Pro on the side, so instead of using the switch, I use Synergy to just drag the cursor over to the MBP. Network issues get in the way sometimes, so I just use the switch in those cases or when I'm only using the MBP (aka whenever I'm not gaming.)

microsoft windows · « **Reply #21 on:** Thu, 11 August 2011, 10:32:15 »

If you would like a KVM switch, Ebay is your friend. I pick them up for cheap on there.

Nighted · « **Reply #22 on:** Mon, 14 November 2011, 13:41:48 »

Synergy is nice, but I just discovered ShareMouse.

Unlike Synergy you can choose a no install option and you can sync clipboards and drag and drop from one machine to the next. Oh, one other thing, it works immediately once running on both machines...I was surprised that I did not have to enter the programs settings at all, it just worked (making Synergy look ridiculous in the process).

Internetlad · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 14 November 2011, 16:41:39 »

I use a cheap-ass trendnet one at work, It does it's job and works. If you're looking for a basic KVM 2-4 port switch, that's what I'd feel comfortable reccomending.

Had one crap out after a lot of use (before i started it was in use so i don't know the exact timeframe.) Swapped it out and smooth sailing so far.

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Author Topic: I Need a KVM Switch! (Read 6560 times)