KVM madness...

[MIDIman]

I have a real dilemma and a total mind screw. Let me start by saying that I have done very thorough research, but am looking to my fellow anandtecher's, as there is always someone here who knows something more than anyone else


NOTE - I have tried and am exhasted with virtual dekstop and virtual KVM software. The fact is that they are not reliable enough and don't perform well enough to be totally virtual (in my case, I have no chance of gaming for instance). Sure they work great for looking at another desktop and clicking around, but I'm doing serious graphics and audio production and need precise mouse and keyboard performance on both machines.


We have two computers, and two monitors. One of the computers has dual VGA out. The other is single VGA out (its actually dual VGA on both, but I'll leave it at this for simplicity!)

I want a KVM switch setup that can somehow accomplish the following three scenarios. The idea here in reality is a matrix, whereas all of the single and "dual monitor" KVMs I have looked at, switch ALL VGAs, rather than only one.

1) monitor1 = computer1's first output.
monitor2 = computer1's second output.
console control = computer1.

2) monitor1 = computer1's first output.
monitor2 = computer2's output
console control = computer1.

3) monitor1 = computer1's first output.
monitor2 = computer2's output
console control = computer2.

In particular, Scenarios #1 and #3 are easily done with a single 2port KVM switch on computer1's second output and computer2's output, and then hard-wiring computer1's output to monitor1. However, scenario #2 is NOT possible with a single KVM switch.

I have a number of ideas myself, but right now I'm looking for that perfect product that can basically do two dual monitor setups and have the ability to choose which computer controls, and which VGA outputs go out to where, in a matrix-like fashion, for relatively cheap (keyword there...)

Any suggestions are appreciated. We are all here to learn. Thanks in advance.

 

[MIDIman]

OK - I'll start

One solution I came up with involves the following:

Belkin 4-port KVM - dual head, usb

1) Dual KVM outputs to two monitors. Keyboard/Mouse go into KVM.
2) USB from ports 1 and 2 on KVM go out to each computer.
3) KVM port1 has both VGA from computer1
4) KVM port2 has both VGA from computer2

...next, I would like to have KVM port3 have VGA1 from computer1, and VGA1 from computer2, with computer 1 in control, then on KVM port4, the same two VGAs, but with computer2 in control instead. The problem is however, since computer1 and 2 are already receiving USB k/m from the KVM switch at ports1 and 2, will it be ok to also receive a second stream via ports3 and 4 (going to each computer respectively)? Then I could simply have two VGA splitters splitting the first VGA outputs of each computer, and sending to 3 ports each on the KVM.

However, if each computer can not receive USB from the KVM on two ports, I will have to throw a

So damn complicated for one stupid thing...USB switch into the mix, to change which computer has control manually.

Your thoughts?

 

[MIDIman]

Using my flash lovin' I made a chart.

Click me

 

[MIDIman]

badump

 

[MIDIman]

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