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KVM Switch

W

wornk2

Junior Member
I have 6 servers and want to use 3 double KVM switches so I only have 3 monitors,kybds and mouses. Suggestions needed for good switches that pass-thur good video!!!
 
The only concern with the video signal is degradation. If you will only be using two port switches (one monitor per two systems) this really isn't going to be an issue, even with cheap KVM's.

Just make sure you get good cables.

Russ, NCNE
 
I tried a passive switch (no power) and video was lousy. This switch was in the $50 range.Am willing to pay 3 to 4 times that to get the video that I want.
 
Belkin is kind of a ripoff given the current market choices. They screw you once on the box and a second time on the cables.

I recently started purchasing GCS14 units (4port) and have never looked back. They can be had at Micro center for $170, or as low as $130 on the web.

They INCLUDED 4 cable sets and the video quality is the best I have yet seen from a KVM. And I consider myself rather picky.
 
I believe Soulfly is selling some nice Cybex 2, 4, and 8 port KVM switches in the FS/FT Forum.

~bex0rs
 
Good timing, I have been researching KVM switches myself, I have a main gameing machine, server, and a Linux test box that I would like to run from one KVM switch. Will probably get the 4 system one with cables.
Been looking at Cyberguys
 
I'm using a 4-port Linksys KVM switch and there is a LOT of video signal degradation. However, I also have a 2-port one that has next to no signal degradation. This backs up Russ's claim that 2-port KVM switches have better signal passthru.

So for what you want to do, i suggest that you look for a brand other than linksys...

-S
 
Chatterjee,
What sort of video degredation are you seeing with the Linksys 4-port KVM switch? Also, is your switch the "ProConnect" model?

I own a Linksys ProConnect 4-port KVM switch, and don't notice any degredation at all on my 19" Trinitron monitor running at 1280x960x85hz. Everything is crystal clear. Perhaps you're using inexpensive cables?

The switch cost about $75-80 from onvia.com last year, and the 6-foot CompuCable cable sets were about $8 each. 10 feet cables sets about $12 or so.
 
I run a belkin Omnicube 4 port and it is great... I do not thik they rip you off, got mine for 100 bucks including shipping and taxes. Mid grade cables will run you about 10-15 bucks when high quality cables can be around 15-20 a set. I have run my monitor as high as it will go and still sharp.
 
I use the linksys 2 port kit (the cable are included). It comes with really thick cables and I haven't seen any video degredation at all. I mean those cables are thick! Kit costs about $80.
 
I am using a Linksys ProConnect 4-port with the rather expensive Belkin calbes ($20.00 bucks a set!). I run my Hitachi CM771 monitor at 1280x1024 at 85 Hx and things just become a little blurry. But if I change back the cable so that it runs directly from the monitor to the machine, it becomes extremely sharp.

I don't know what the deal is. Heh.

-S
 
If those Belkin cables are the same as the Belkin-branded KVM cable sets at CompUSA, then I suspect they're lower quality than the CompuCable-branded cables that I'm using. The last time I looked at those cable sets at CompUSA, the VGA cable looked quite wimpy in comparison with my cables.

Your switch is definitely up to the task of passing through high-quality video at reasonable resolutions, assuming it's not defective and that you have good cables.
 
Well, I don't actually know that your Belkin cables are low quality -- that's just my guess based on the Belkin KVM cable sets I've seen at CompUSA. The VGA cable in those packages sure looks wimpy...

I mentioned the price of my cables in one of my earlier posts. They were about $8 for the 6-foot cable bundle, and $12 or so for the 10-foot cable bundle. Yes, $8 total for ALL THREE cables! I got lucky, quite frankly; I hadn't expected such good cables for such a low price. The price was so low, that I almost wonder if it may have been an error on their part...

Unfortunately, Onvia no longer seems to carry these cables. Must not be available through their current distributor
 
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