$100+ DP switch alternative?

[lessthanuthought]

Is there any alternative to spending $100 or more on a switch to share a DP display between two computers?

Thanks

 

[EliteRetard]

30 seconds and I found one under $40...would this not work:

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-Displ...layport+switch

Don't see why a switch would be so expensive, perhaps a more extensive search will find even better options?

 

[lessthanuthought]

30 seconds and I found one under $40...would this not work:

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-Displ...layport+switch

Don't see why a switch would be so expensive, perhaps a more extensive search will find even better options?

What you found is a cable you plug into a switch...

 

[lessthanuthought]

I guess there isn't a cheaper alternative then. Oh well..

 

[KingFatty]

What about approaching the problem with a different solution?

For example, use the "source" button on the display to switch between different video inputs of the display, and then plug your two computers into your display using the different inputs of that display?

For example, use an adapter on one computer to convert displayport to DVI. Then, plug that computer into the DVI port of the monitor. Then, for the 2nd computer, just use a straight displayport cable to plug into the displayport of the monitor.

Some monitors have auto-detect and can just switch to whatever input is active, but I prefer the control of manually switching. I use this solution to switch between a laptop and desktop computer at home, and it's very convenient because my monitors happen to have a dedicated "source" button right on the front of the display within easy reach.

Would this solution solve your problem, without needing to get a dedicated switch?

 

[lessthanuthought]

What about approaching the problem with a different solution?

For example, use the "source" button on the display to switch between different video inputs of the display, and then plug your two computers into your display using the different inputs of that display?

For example, use an adapter on one computer to convert displayport to DVI. Then, plug that computer into the DVI port of the monitor. Then, for the 2nd computer, just use a straight displayport cable to plug into the displayport of the monitor.

Some monitors have auto-detect and can just switch to whatever input is active, but I prefer the control of manually switching. I use this solution to switch between a laptop and desktop computer at home, and it's very convenient because my monitors happen to have a dedicated "source" button right on the front of the display within easy reach.

Would this solution solve your problem, without needing to get a dedicated switch?

Good idea, unfortunately not possible. The display in question is an Apple Cinema Display. And Apple in their infinite wisdom has decided that people only need one interface on their monitors...

 

[EliteRetard]

Derp...well here's another, specifically for cinema displays under $40:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...G&A=details&Q=

and

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...030&CatId=7372
.
.
.

 

[lessthanuthought]

Derp...well here's another, specifically for cinema displays under $40:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...G&A=details&Q=

and

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...030&CatId=7372
.
.
.

Awesome. Thanks a lot. Just curious. What did you look up to find those?

 

[EliteRetard]

Just did a quick search for Displayport, Switches, or KVM using a variety of search engines and common retailers. It's useful having the resolution to run a few things at once.

Went so fast I didn't realize my first link was just cables lol...but I remembered seeing the apple one as well, so it wasn't hard to bring it back up when you mentioned a cinema display.

I'm used to doing item/price research since I'm poor...with the internet it's worth spending a couple minutes to research before you buy.

It's possible with more time and a wider net you may find even better options, but I don't care that much 😛