USB KVM Switch

[viper_larry]

Hi All,

Thinking of getting a Mac Mini to play with as a second PC, but I want to share my USB Mouse & Keyboard (and monitor). All the KVM switches I can find seem to be PS/2 versions. Not a problem connecting the devices as I have adaptors, but I can't adapt USB > PS/2 or so it seems?

Anyone found a KVM switch that uses USB rather than PS/2 for the mouse/keyboard?

[agent006]

i'm fairly sure Belkin do a usb KVM.

[jimmyjimjim]

You can adapt a usb mouse to ps/2 connecter on a kvm switch(says he with a glance to check the fecking thing hasn't fallen out again.) but both Belkin and IOgear seem to do usb kvm switches. I know the belkin one do support usb keyboards, theiogear versions seem to want a ps/2 mouse and keyboard, then connect to the pc via usb. Very Odd.

[viper_larry]

'This thread is useless without links!'

Still can't seem to find them though?

[agent006]

www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=363

[viper_larry]

agent006 said:

www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=363

Exactly what I want - but preferably on an English site! Dlink UK doesn't seem to list it

[ErnestM]

Pick one:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatSectionView.process?IWAction=Load&Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=202718


ErnestM

[viper_larry]

Since I originally posted this thread, I ended up buying the Belkin USB KVM switch.

I now have the chance to buy this baby - Dell 24" widescreen and what a fabulous screen it is too - have one on my desk at work to test.

Anyway, as it is DVI, I now want a DVI KVM switch to utilise it fully. Only one I can find is this Belkin Soho and the best price I have so far is £120 plus cables! That's outrageous for a switch box.

Any suggestions or do I just stick with the D-SUB input and suffer the slight lack of quality - would be a same on such a nice screen...

[cirks]

viper_larry said:

Anyway, as it is DVI, I now want a DVI KVM switch to utilise it fully. Only one I can find is ....

Thought I'd resurrect this thread as I was just about to ask the same question. Can anyone recommend a DVI KVM? Ideally I need a 4 port. What happens if 2 machines connecting to it have DVI outputs but the others don't?

[_dobbo_]

cirks said:

viper_larry said: Anyway, as it is DVI, I now want a DVI KVM switch to utilise it fully. Only one I can find is .... Thought I'd resurrect this thread as I was just about to ask the same question. Can anyone recommend a DVI KVM? Ideally I need a 4 port. What happens if 2 machines connecting to it have DVI outputs but the others don't?

DVI to VGA adapter?

[cirks]

_dobbo_ said:

DVI to VGA adapter?

Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having DVI? ie, I would be converting two DVI outputs to VGA to go into a VGA KVM and then into a good digital monitor but using the VGA input!
Is there such a thing as a VGA to DVI adaptor?

what I need is:



VGA PC}
VGA PC}
         --} KVM }-----DVI Monitor
DVI PC}
DVI Lap}


>> Edited by cirks on Friday 19th August 12:08

[_dobbo_]

cirks said:

_dobbo_ said: DVI to VGA adapter? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having DVI?

If you honestly think on a TFT monitor of any kind you will see a difference between DVI and VGA that's fine - but I think you would have to be spending a lot of money on a monitor to notice a difference.

However even if that's true a crappy switch box will ruin the signal and as such remove any small advantage you would get with DVI.

[cirks]

_dobbo_ said:

If you honestly think on a TFT monitor of any kind you will see a difference between DVI and VGA that's fine

Fair point but if I can keep with DVI then I might as well!

_dobbo_ said:

However even if that's true a crappy switch box will ruin the signal

Surely it will then make VGA worse as well ? Better to ruin a good signal than make a (debatable) worse one worse still ?

[_dobbo_]

cirks said:

_dobbo_ said: If you honestly think on a TFT monitor of any kind you will see a difference between DVI and VGA that's fine Fair point but if I can keep with DVI then I might as well! _dobbo_ said: However even if that's true a crappy switch box will ruin the signal Surely it will then make VGA worse as well ? Better to ruin a good signal than make a (debatable) worse one worse still ?

True enough I suppose but you are talking tiny degrees with (unless my guess is incorrect) less than pro level kit. As such I would challenge anyone to spot a difference in any combination of switchbox/monitor/cable.

You could also argue that since DVI is a digital signal that the switch box should be able to effect the quality of the signal since digital is digital is digital.

But if that were true you wouldn't get £150 digital co-ax cables for your hi-fi when a £0.50 one does the same job...