KVM, i need one, can anyone recommend one?

[Mday]

it's just for the monitor.

need 2 computers to one monitor.

anyone using one?

i plan on some high res stuff, like 1280 x 1024 or whatnot...

yes i am aware of ghosting problems due to the length of cabling... and the use of a kvm, but i can't afford or fit another monitor here...

 

[Mday]

bump

 

[GetInMyFatBelly]

I just received the Belkin OmniView Pro 4 from Amazon for $185 (was $235 - $50 coupon for electronics + free shipping). Took about 2 weeks or so to get because it wasn't in stock, but I'm still waiting for the cables that I ordered from them also, should be here this week. This seems to have it all and for this model it's a great price, all cables are sold seperatly. Check it out. Belkin also has a OmniView Matrix 8 for the person who needs to have 8 systems hooked up to a couple keyboard(s), Video(s), Mouse(s)at once ($431 + a/h at firstsource.com) .

 

[vec]

I just bought a Cybex Switchview kvm. It came with two cable kits. It's ok, but slight ghosting at 1280x1024@85Mhz.

Do NOT buy compucable's PowerReach KVM. It wasn't q3a/ut friendly. Keyboard would lock up when playing.

Linksys makes inexpensive KVMs and are supposed to handle high resolutions w/high refresh rates. Ther cable kits that come with some of their kits are too short though (4ft vs 6ft).

To reduce ghosting or video degradation, buy good quality video cables.

I hear Belkin's Omniview series are pretty good too.

If you buy cable kits separate from the kvms, make sure they are compatible. The linksys and compucable used monitor vga cables (M-M), whereas the cybex kvm used monitor extension cables (M-F).

 

[randomlinh]

You need a KVM.. only for the monitor (ie, no keyboard or mouse..)? If so, i've seen manual switches for like $15 w/o the cable.... cable guys or something had one (don't remember the site, but it's off www.ebates.com).

My friend has a kick ass KVM and USB.... $100 i think it was... if you want, i'll get the name for ya, don't know it myself.

 

[skriefal]

The Linksys ProConnect KVM switches work very well, in my experience. I have the 4-port version with 3 computers connected. One computer runs at 1152x864x85hz, and the other is 1280x960x80(?)hz -- and I cannot see any image degredation.

The switch was about $85 on onvia.com. Onvia also has nice cable bundles (made by Compucable) for $8-$11. That's a bargain for a high-quality cable with mouse, keyboard, and video in the same bundle.

I'd avoid the cheap, mechanical switches. The ones I've seen in the past considerably lessened the quality of the video signal passed through them. They also don't properly simulate an 'always connected' mouse and keyboard, and thus they are somewhat of a risk... and could potentially damage your motherboard's PS/2 keyboard/mouse ports. Or they might not... but why risk damaging your nice, expensive motherboard just to save $50 on a KVM switch?

 

[Mday]

i just need a 2 port model... prices are so high =( for what i want...

right now, i am swapping the cable, and i already bent one of the pins, lol...

i'd rather go with a real kvm solution since that is the best thing in terms of you know, stuff

 

[Moving Target]

I have a Focus 4-Port KVM and anything over 1024x768 gets very ghosty.

I would say the Belkin or Linksys.

 

[Mday]

i am thinking of the linksys.

but right now, instead of swapping the plug for the monitor back and forth, i am just using the tv out from the "other" video card, and watching the computer from my tv tuner ;-)

lol, it's funny if you think about it. too bad i can't read the text