KVM recommendation

[bigboxes]

Need to update my old KVM switch (vga + ps/2) to one with DVI + USB. Want one with high reliability. Current one is Linkskey and has performed admirably. Would like four ports, but two will do.

 

[rchunter]

Iogear makes good ones. I've been running this one for a couple years and i've been pretty happy with it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-062-_-Product

I'm going to have to buy a new one here in a couple months though since i'm upgrading my monitor and need one that supports 2560 res.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Iogear makes good ones. I've been running this one for a couple years and i've been pretty happy with it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-062-_-Product

I'm going to have to buy a new one here in a couple months though since i'm upgrading my monitor and need one that supports 2560 res.

Actually, the GCS1104 is one which I, too, was looking at. And I'd like to be future-proof for 1440p or even 4K. So I'm not buying anything yet.

A lot of issues. Typically, even any new KVM will have one common video interface for all machines. Currently, HDMI will only allow for 60 Hz refresh rates; DVI and (possibly) Displayport are more flexible.

Then, you ask the question as to whether you can run a monitor at 120 or 144 Hz through the KVM. I had just submitted a query to IOGEAR tech-support about the GCS1104 on that issue. They say "they only recommend" it be run at 60 Hz, and they won't be more specific. (In which case, it may, or it may not . . . )

Truth be told -- my old Belkin OMni-View PS/2 4-port KVMs were pricey in 1994/95 @ $255 each. To get reliability and top-end features (4K, variable refresh rates, etc.) you will pay for it. And the KVM specialty seems to always lag behind the monitor technology. It's a much smaller market of users.

I had someone in the forums here ask me "Why do you need three computers?" (under my desk). He said he didn't mean to be insulting, and neither do I. But -- Hey! This is the Anandtech forums! I'm having trouble to imagine this wouldn't be a pertinent question among members here.

 

[rchunter]

Yeah, you really can't run cutting edge gaming monitors with a kvm, and pretty much no wireless stuff. I still think it's worth it though. I'm planning on buying just a normal 60hz 27" 2560x1600 Dell IPS monitor. When I get a new kvm here in the next few months it will more than likely be Dell & Iogear.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Yeah, you really can't run cutting edge gaming monitors with a kvm, and pretty much no wireless stuff. I still think it's worth it though. I'm planning on buying just a normal 60hz 27" 2560x1600 Dell IPS monitor. When I get a new kvm here in the next few months it will more than likely be Dell & Iogear.

Well, that's why I enjoy taking my machines to the limit of what's possible while avoiding major outlays where I can.

I've personally discovered here that I can continue using the 1994-era Belkin KVM with mouse and keyboard, even fitted for PS/2-to-USB. There were a couple ways to do it -- the first being an HDMI switch ($30 item), which works, but "ungracefully" and only at 60 Hz refresh rate across the board.

Then I discovered the features of these new monitors, even if they're limited to 1080p or 1920x1080 resolution. If there are enough inputs on certain monitors, the monitor can provide the switching.

In that case, you can set it up for 144 Hz refresh for the computer that feeds it through DVI-D, and 60 Hz for the HDMI connections. I can't tell whether there's a limitation with DisplayPort, but you could connect another computer that way as well.

My new BenQ XL2420Z has an OSD accessible three ways: the traditional awkward buttons or touch-points on the display itself, a mouse-like device with a scroll wheel that needs one click to bring up the OSD menus and punch through them with the scroll wheel and other buttons on the device, and "Display-Pilot" software. Of course, people are going to say that it's just too much trouble to navigate through submenus until you can find the "INPUT" submenu. And -- true -- It took one scroll-wheel click, four scroll notch-movements, and about two or three more clicks on the wheel to make the change.

But -- then I discovered this about the OSD and the extra buttons on the "mouse-like" device: You can assign any sub-function of the OSD menu to one of the buttons. This raises the item to the highest menu level or list -- which includes a main "Menu" selection as well as "Exit." Now it takes a single button-click, one scroll-notch movement and mouse-wheel click to switch the display between computers.

I'll bet you could find such a feature on a display with 1440p or higher, provided it doesn't come with just a single DisplayPort input. Unfortunately, that's what I'd found on a much more expensive ASUS gaming monitor: not even DVI, but only DisplayPort.

Otherwise, with multiple monitor inputs and quick-change access, I can have 144 Hz for one PC's refresh rate with the DVI port, and 60 Hz for another. I can avail myself of the monitor's full features, still have "KVM" switching between computers without updating the 20-year-old Belkin.

So as much as the IOGEAR and StarTech KVM options interested me, I can see how I can really take my time before I make any more changes -- or purchases.

I'm interested, though, in what I can find out from this thread about options and possibilities. If I could find the right KVM, it would provide: (a) Ultra-HD resolution, (b) variable refresh-rate across the board, and (c) HDCP compliance.

 

[rchunter]

Well, that's why I enjoy taking my machines to the limit of what's possible while avoiding major outlays where I can.

I've personally discovered here that I can continue using the 1994-era Belkin KVM with mouse and keyboard, even fitted for PS/2-to-USB. There were a couple ways to do it -- the first being an HDMI switch ($30 item), which works, but "ungracefully" and only at 60 Hz refresh rate across the board.

Then I discovered the features of these new monitors, even if they're limited to 1080p or 1920x1080 resolution. If there are enough inputs on certain monitors, the monitor can provide the switching.

In that case, you can set it up for 144 Hz refresh for the computer that feeds it through DVI-D, and 60 Hz for the HDMI connections. I can't tell whether there's a limitation with DisplayPort, but you could connect another computer that way as well.

My new BenQ XL2420Z has an OSD accessible three ways: the traditional awkward buttons or touch-points on the display itself, a mouse-like device with a scroll wheel that needs one click to bring up the OSD menus and punch through them with the scroll wheel and other buttons on the device, and "Display-Pilot" software. Of course, people are going to say that it's just too much trouble to navigate through submenus until you can find the "INPUT" submenu. And -- true -- It took one scroll-wheel click, four scroll notch-movements, and about two or three more clicks on the wheel to make the change.

But -- then I discovered this about the OSD and the extra buttons on the "mouse-like" device: You can assign any sub-function of the OSD menu to one of the buttons. This raises the item to the highest menu level or list -- which includes a main "Menu" selection as well as "Exit." Now it takes a single button-click, one scroll-notch movement and mouse-wheel click to switch the display between computers.

I'll bet you could find such a feature on a display with 1440p or higher, provided it doesn't come with just a single DisplayPort input. Unfortunately, that's what I'd found on a much more expensive ASUS gaming monitor: not even DVI, but only DisplayPort.

Otherwise, with multiple monitor inputs and quick-change access, I can have 144 Hz for one PC's refresh rate with the DVI port, and 60 Hz for another. I can avail myself of the monitor's full features, still have "KVM" switching between computers without updating the 20-year-old Belkin.

So as much as the IOGEAR and StarTech KVM options interested me, I can see how I can really take my time before I make any more changes -- or purchases.

I'm interested, though, in what I can find out from this thread about options and possibilities. If I could find the right KVM, it would provide: (a) Ultra-HD resolution, (b) variable refresh-rate across the board, and (c) HDCP compliance.

Sounds like you got it figured out. I haven't had a new monitor in like 8 years. This old dell 2407wfp hc I have now is dying and I want to upgrade to a larger screen with higher rez. This is definitely a long term investment for me. I'll be keeping it for at least 5+ years. A gaming monitor with high refresh rate is not really important to me so choosing a kvm is pretty easy. Hopefully you can find the kvm you are looking for. I'm not sure they are even made though. I don't know enough about it. Maybe someone else more knowledgeable can jump in here and keep the discussion going.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Sounds like you got it figured out. I haven't had a new monitor in like 8 years. This old dell 2407wfp hc I have now is dying and I want to upgrade to a larger screen with higher rez. This is definitely a long term investment for me. I'll be keeping it for at least 5+ years. A gaming monitor with high refresh rate is not really important to me so choosing a kvm is pretty easy. Hopefully you can find the kvm you are looking for. I'm not sure they are even made though. I don't know enough about it. Maybe someone else more knowledgeable can jump in here and keep the discussion going.

I guess I'd like to see where someone had tried the GCS1104 or a similarly priced Startech model which works with refresh above 100 Hz. I can't tell either way from the either IOGEAR's tech-support or the spec summary on these things.

Truth be told, the UHD monitors -- maybe even those of 1440p -- don't run at refresh higher 60 Hz from what I've seen. Looking at UHD monitors at the Egg (or -- again -- 1440p as well), you might have as many choices as you have oil companies. Customer reviews aren't all that stellar on some of them. And they cost considerably more at this time.

This also makes a dilemma for anyone who NEEDS a monitor upgrade, such as you or I. My crappy HD monitor died two weeks ago; I'm not ready for a UHD outlay; the KVM factor plays a part in it; the selections, prices and features make me hesitate on dropping a bundle into such an item. But then, I may have a nice full-HD 144 Hz "smart" monitor now, which will last ten years. If UHD becomes more attractive in two or three years -- well -- I'll have a spare monitor or I'll need to sell it.

Definitely a quandary, and the KVM options also complicate it.

A FOOTNOTE: [without discouraging further thread input]: I compared myself to Rip Van Winkle as I came up to date with the newest HD monitors. Like I said -- I had to -- the old one crapped out, and I "need it now." I settled on a BenQ XL2420Z, but there is also a 27" XL2720Z -- basically the same features. This little mouse-like "S Switch" is great for reasons related to our KVM discussion (check the photos at the Egg):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-375-_-Product

I'm not that familiar with some of these brand names or manufacturers -- BenQ, AOC, etc. Apparently BenQ is a Taiwanese company. But with the customizable keys (three) on the S Switch, it's a great way to avoid a new KVM, use the old one for switching PS/2 or USB kybd/mouse, and you're a couple (S Switch)-clicks away from the very gracefully-handled video transition. So like I said -- I can really take my time finding the right KVM. And I might have made the mistake of ordering the GCS1104 or similar all at once when I ordered the monitor. But I didn't.

 

[bigboxes]

I went with the ConnectPro UD-12+KIT. I wanted a 4-port unit, but (just like you guys) I really wanted an upgrade that has display port and the higher rez. Since I will be sticking with my current monitor (1680 x 1050) for a while longer I bought the unit with two ports since I rarely use more than two (main rig + file server). I loved my Linkskey unit, but I will no longer have ps/2 and vga outputs on my main rig and file server. I heard that there were issues with the units remembering their affiliations and the ConnectPro has DDM (Dynamic Device Mapping) Technology so the KVM switch doesn't have to re-recognize the connected devices. There's virtually no lag in the switching between computers.

In the future, I will upgrade my monitor to a much higher resolution and will pay the $400-$500 it will take to find that 4-port high resolution display port KVM to go along with it. I'm just not there yet.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I went with the ConnectPro UD-12+KIT. I wanted a 4-port unit, but (just like you guys) I really wanted an upgrade that has display port and the higher rez. Since I will be sticking with my current monitor (1680 x 1050) for a while longer I bought the unit with two ports since I rarely use more than two (main rig + file server). I loved my Linkskey unit, but I will no longer have ps/2 and vga outputs on my main rig and file server. I heard that there were issues with the units remembering their affiliations and the ConnectPro has DDM (Dynamic Device Mapping) Technology so the KVM switch doesn't have to re-recognize the connected devices. There's virtually no lag in the switching between computers.

In the future, I will upgrade my monitor to a much higher resolution and will pay the $400-$500 it will take to find that 4-port high resolution display port KVM to go along with it. I'm just not there yet.

I'm hoping this thread doesn't die for a while. I think I have a "need" for something in the "long run," but I haven't settled on it yet.

What were the features of the IOGEAR GCS1104 or similar model that deterred you?

My 20-year-old Belkin seems to work OK even with USB-to-PS/2 conversion, and it's a klooge. But I've seen new motherboards in recent web-searches that have PS/2 ports, and they're still selling PS/2 keyboards. I'm not so sure that USB-to-PS2 is much of an issue.

But it's the video option that gives me pause. I wouldn't be thinking about KVMs now if my old HD (VGA-analog-connected) monitor died. I only learned then that VGA-analog defeats HDCP compliance, and I want HDCP compliance for everything.

I think I had touted my new BenQ monitor in an earlier post as a "video-supplement" to the Belkin's "KM-" switching. Today, I discovered what happens when you put one computer to sleep! The monitor goes into sleep mode, and you can't bring up the OSD, even from the mouse-like "S Switch." I have to program the monitor through the OSD to cycle to the next HDMI port when it loses a connection for one of the machines going to sleep.

That's OK for now, but we should put our heads together in shopping for the "ultimate KVM."

It's also amazing the dilemmas we face when we need something at the moment, and must make outlays for purely a short-term stop-gap measure. I have two well-functioning monitors at the moment: the BenQ and a 10-year-old Viewsonic LCD 1680x1050. I suppose when I finally get a 4K monitor, I'll recycle the Viewsonic (to the county recycling yard) and use the BenQ in its place. Meanwhile, the Viewsonic is NOT HDCP compliant, is still connected to the Belkin so I can use it for my server or testing new computer systems before giving them a digital HD/HDCP-compliant deployment. I still have one set of ports on the Belkin available for "testing."

 

[bigboxes]

I appreciate the discussion as this can only help us hardware fanatics. Hopefully, the hardware makers will see this and improve their offerings, much like the keyboard revolution that is happening today.

Well, this has been an evolutionary thing for me. I used to do a lot of pc repairs on the side as a business. It made sense to have a 4-port KVM switch. Not much fun crawling under your desk to change cables from one computer to another, having to shutdown each one in the process. It's also not practical having a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse for each computer as well. So, I bought this Linkskey 4-port KVM switch some 9 years ago. It had VGA (d-sub) and ps/2 ports. That was great for back then. It's not bad if you have a good video card and my systems have been fairly robust if not enthusiast class. I leave my main rig and file server on 24/7 and the KVM switch has been a wonderful piece of equipment. Just a couple taps on the keyboard and I'm easily switching between computers. Today, my obligations require me to work a lot in outside jobs and I just don't have the need I did back then for a 4-port KVM switch.

As you know, we occasionally need to change out out hardware, whether it be due to failure, obsolescence or when we feel the need to upgrade. When my 939 motherboard died in my file server (AMD Athlon 3200+) I decided to go with the lowest clocked dual-core APU had at the time, the A4-3300 (Trinity). I bought the cheapest full-sized motherboard that still had PCI slots so that I could continue to use my SATA II controller cards. The Foxconn branded motherboard had some issues, but I was able to get past those and it's been very stable once I got it all configured. However, the new motherboard did not have any ps/2 ports. On my P6T (in my main rig) I had one ps/2 port and was able to use an adapter to allow it to work with my Linkskey KVM switch. Such an adapter would not work on the Foxconn motherboard. Now, with my upgrading of my main rig, my new Asus motherboard, the Z97-WS, has no ps/2 ports as well. I thought it was time to update my KVM switch to one that had USB support.

Through my research I found that many KVM switches had trouble retaining associations with connected USB peripherals after the KVM switched away from the connected computer. This caused a delay in the time one would be able to use the computer while the KVM switch re-recognized the connected devices. I'm hoping that my choice of ConnectPro will not have those issues and I'll be trouble free. My only concern is with the supplied cables and if I may have to purchase other ones if the single-link ones supplied don't work as I desire.

As I said earlier, I want to upgrade my monitor to one that is much larger and higher in resolution. I too notice the limitations of current consumer KVM switches. High resolution and high refresh rates are pushing for DisplayPort adoption. So, while I would love to have a 4-port solution, it was about $110 more to purchase the 4-port ConnectPro over it's 2-port brother. Seeing that this was a stop gap measure until I get a new monitor I decided to go with the less costly choice.

In my research looking for KVM switches that supported higher resolution than 2560 x 1600. This SmartAVI KVM switch can supoort a resolution of 3840x2160 @60Hz. That is with DisplayPort 1.2. The price is north of $400. Yikes! I too would like to see support for UHD @ higher refresh rates. Anyone know the limitations of DisplayPort 1.4/2.0?

 

[Burpo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort

"DisplayPort version 1.3 was released on September 15, 2014.[18] This standard increases overall transmission bandwidth to 32.4 Gbit/s with the new HBR3 mode featuring 8.1 Gbit/s per lane (up from 5.4 Gbit/s with HBR2 in version 1.2), totalling 25.92 Gbit/s with overhead removed. This bandwidth allows for 5K displays (5120×2880 px) in RGB mode, and UHD 8K television displays at 7680×4320 (16:9, 33.18 megapixels) using 4:2:0 subsampling. The bandwidth also allows for two UHD (3840×2160 px) computer monitors at 60 Hz in 24-bit RGB mode using Coordinated Video Timing, a 4K stereo 3D display, or a combination of 4K display and USB 3.0 as allowed by DockPort. The new standard features HDMI 2.0 compatibility mode with HDCP 2.2 content protection. It also supports VESA Display Stream Compression, which uses a visually lossless low-latency algorithm to increase resolutions and color depths and reduce power consumption."

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Was it ever confirmed that DisplayPort supports HDCP?

I think among the various info-sources I've seen in the last few days, it was remarked -- per HDMI connections -- that if a device didn't specify "HDCP-compliance," it likely was compliant, but there was a chance that it might not be so.

I think I came across some forum post somewhere that insinuated DisplayPort was NOT HDCP compliant, but I can't trust just one comment in some forum. If DP will eventually supplant HDMI, why would it NOT be HDCP compliant?

Also -- per Bigboxes very useful post and link to Smart-AVI -- that DP/USB KVM is very similar to the one I was looking at for HDMI/USB. And similar in the price. For the Smart-AVI unit in Bigboxes' link, I couldn't find "HDCP" anywhere. NOw I'll have to go back and look at the HDMI unit, to confirm one way or the other.

If DisplayPort is going to support 4K TV's, you would think it would (or should) be HDCP compliant.

OH! I just looked more carefully at Burpo's very informative post. The forthcoming version of DisplayPort is INDEED HDCP compliant. Does that resolve for us the current status of existing DisplayPort?

Curious minds . . . . want to know . . .

[But you don't find the answers to these questions in "National Enquirer."]

EDIT/UPDATE: So . . . the HDMI/USB Smart-AVI switch (suddenly priced at around $430) states HDCP compliance in the first descriptive paragraph. I can't find anything in the DP version's description or specs mentioning HDCP.

This, similar discussions and an encounter today with the woman behind the grocery-store deli have given me better insight toward a "4K upgrade strategy and plan," despite my recent purchase of a full-HD monitor to replace the dead one. Per the grocery-clerk, who says she'll sell her HDTV to get a UHDTV, I can see that now as an option. I can use the existing monitor as an "HDTV" while I shop for the replacement to my LG 42". What would I do without PC HT functionality? That's nice . . .

 

[BonzaiDuck]

We (I) should probably do more research before coming in to the forums to post questions or assertions.

Apparently, DisplayPort is -- and has been -- HDCP compliant.

http://www.displayport.org/faq/

Sorry for wasting anyone's time.

 

[bigboxes]

We (I) should probably do more research before coming in to the forums to post questions or assertions.

Apparently, DisplayPort is -- and has been -- HDCP compliant.

http://www.displayport.org/faq/

Sorry for wasting anyone's time.

You are not wasting my time, at all. Questions need to be asked. If everyone felt stupid for asking questions then no one would learn anything from anyone. You keep on asking those thought provoking questions, Mr.-SLI-power consumption-bug poster.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

You are not wasting my time, at all. Questions need to be asked. If everyone felt stupid for asking questions then no one would learn anything from anyone. You keep on asking those thought provoking questions, Mr.-SLI-power consumption-bug poster.

The self-flagellation derives from old work and academic habits. There are three reasons (in this composite view) for some number of Forum questions: the poster didn't take the time to read the most immediate web-material turned up in a query on some subject; the poster might lack patience for the moment or for the duration; the poster is in the middle of a panic of need to use his/her computer, and some configuration crisis or other factor prevents further routine successful or satisfactory use.

All of these scenarios can have useful, valid questions.

This is all somewhat subjective, but even if some consistent subjective standard applies, there is -- at least theoretically -- a kind of statistical distribution -- say -- in the "space" of forum posts.

Mostly, I'm just ashamed I haven't kept up with computer graphics and video technology. Put it this way. At some point over time, displayport began appearing as a graphics card output option. My Z68 boards have displayport for the Intel 3000 iGPU. My AVR and HDTV only have HDMI.

I'm pretty sure displayport may be the chosen connection technology of the future, and the specs would show it. How could I go three years and dismiss displayport as some sort of gimmick not worth exploring?

Old age sucks. Like the HAL computer in "2001." "Dave . . . I can feel it . . . . my mind is going . . . . my mind is going . . . "

 

[bigboxes]

I've been loving my ConnectPRO, but I'm sure that this year will be the year to upgrade my monitor. It will be UHD so I need a KVM switch that can handle that increased resolution. I contacted ConnectPRO and they said that they are a couple months out in releasing a UHD capable KVM switch. I wasn't given any details (DisplayPort or HDMI). I wish that they could provide some detailed specs. I sure hope it comes to fruition.

 

[rchunter]

This is the kvm I ended up with. http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-4-Port...id=1433387247&sr=8-1&keywords=IOGEAR+GCS1204G
Also bought a Benq bl3200 to go with it. So now i'm set for at least another 5 years.