KVM switch

[jay trotta]

I've been looking these over and curious, as I recently bought a new computer W11 and have an old W10, instead of trying to cut & paste old to new, my thoughts were on this;

Anyone using one of these? Any input

 

[RCA]

I've been looking these over and curious, as I recently bought a new computer W11 and have an old W10, instead of trying to cut & paste old to new, my thoughts were on this;

Anyone using one of these? Any input

Good and reliable ones that can allow MacOS and Windows computers to share a monitor are expensive:

Aten CA1964

CS1964

4-port USB 3.0 triple-display 4K DisplayPort KVMP switch supporting HDMI monitors • Superior video quality – 4096x2160 @ 60Hz and 3840x2160 @ 60Hz• 2-Port USB ...

www.kvmgalore.com

Lower price KVM switches I have found to be a waste of money - with a lot of gotchas. --- But you may find one that works for you, if you have an undemanding system.

Note: There isn't anything I have wasted more money on than sub $500 KVM switches over the past 20 years.

 

[TerryRohrer]

I never cared much for the physical switches I have tried, but have been using Sharemouse for at least a decade. Usually, two laptops and thee external monitors with one mouse and keyboard running them all. All five screens appear to be connected to a single machine.

https://www.sharemouse.com/

 

[cpursley]

I'm such a nerd - I thought this thread would be about the Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM).

 

[RCA]

KVM = Keyboard, Video, Mouse

The KVM switch is supposed to allow you to connect 2+ computers to the same keyboard, video monitor and mouse. By pushing a switch, e.g "1","2","3" or "4" you switch between the 4 computers instantly. It sounds like it should be simple, but of course there are many kinds of monitors, keyboards and mouse devices. Also, one computer, depending on its video graphics card may want to use HD, Full HD, Quad HD, Ultra HD (4K) or 8K (7680x4320).

Per Claude:

Good KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switches are indeed challenging to manufacture consistently and with high quality. There are several reasons for this:

1. Signal Complexity:
   • Modern video signals (HDMI, DisplayPort) are extremely high-bandwidth and complex.
   • Maintaining signal integrity across multiple ports without degradation is technically challenging.
2. Resolution and Refresh Rate Support:
   • Supporting high resolutions (4K, 8K) and high refresh rates (144Hz+) requires sophisticated circuitry.
   • Ensuring compatibility with various display standards adds complexity.
3. USB Protocol Handling:
   • Managing USB connections for keyboard and mouse across multiple computers can be tricky.
   • Ensuring instant switching without disconnection/reconnection issues is challenging.
4. Latency Issues:
   • Minimizing input lag and maintaining responsiveness across switched devices is crucial for a good user experience.
5. Compatibility:
   • Ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices, operating systems, and peripherals is complex.
6. EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) Management:
   • Properly handling EDID information to ensure correct resolution and refresh rate settings across switches is tricky.
7. Power Management:
   • Providing sufficient power for multiple connected devices without interference is challenging.
8. Heat Management:
   • High-performance KVMs generate heat, requiring effective cooling solutions in a compact form factor.
9. Firmware Complexity:
   • Developing stable, responsive firmware to manage all these functions is a significant challenge.
10. Cost Constraints:
    • Balancing all these technical requirements with market-acceptable pricing is difficult.
11. Evolving Standards:
    • Keeping up with rapidly changing video and USB standards requires constant R&D.
12. Quality Control:
    • Ensuring consistency across manufactured units is challenging due to the complexity of components.

These factors combined make it difficult to produce KVM switches that consistently meet high standards of performance, reliability, and compatibility across a wide range of use cases. The best KVM switches often come at a premium price due to the engineering and components required to address these challenges effectively.

 

[RCA]

While the best KVMs can be over $100K, - they often support a high number of ports

Here is a list of the 4-port 4K KVMs sold by bhphotovideo.com. This requires a pair of KE9950T (transmitter to hook to the computer and KE9950R (receiver) to connect to the two 4k monitors:

​

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=KVM%204-port%204k&sort=PRICE_HIGH_TO_LOW

IF I had to get one, it would be the Aten 4k DisplayPort for about $1784.00 FOR EACH KE9950T or KE9950R. With this you could put your computers in an A/C room at the other end of the house, if necessary.

But, I can get by without one.

 

[RCA]

While the best KVMs can be over $100K, - they often support a high number of ports

Here is a list of the 4-port 4K KVMs sold by bhphotovideo.com. This requires a pair of KE9950T (transmitter to hook to the computer and KE9950R (receiver) to connect to the two 4k monitors:

View attachment 90213​

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=KVM%204-port%204k&sort=PRICE_HIGH_TO_LOW

IF I had to get one, it would be the Aten 4k DisplayPort for about $1784.00 FOR EACH KE9950T or KE9950R. With this you could put your computers in an A/C room at the other end of the house, if necessary.

But, I can get by without one.

Also the below "DVDO Presentation Switcher" appears to be less expensive if you want to route two computers, each with dual 4K outputs (USB-C or Thunderbolt 3+), to two the same two 4K screens, with a single keyboard and mouse. But I certainly don't have the funds to try these toys, Nor do I have more time to investigate:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1819894-REG/dvdo_dvdo_usbc_hdmi_ps_51_seamless_presentation_switcher_scaler_extender_with.html