Has anyone had any experience with these units - I need something like this for a project I am working on and it would appear to reduce the clutter significantly.

thanks

wheel

No experience with this particular unit, but in my experience cheap KVM switches really degrade video quality a lot.

I used a similar type [a Linksys] before, it wasn't terrible, but then I've got a crappy monitor. It did save space, was able to switch between comps by just a quick tap on the kb. I wish mine had a better design since the cables plugged into 3 sides of the unit, rather than just 2. So there was a slight cable mess. I did end up adding extension cables from the unit to both my mouse & kb as the supplied ones were too short.

Be aware that the one you linked to is NOT USB. You can't use it with a wireless mouse or keyboard.

I bought this Belkin one on eBay for $27 shipped. It's USB and has audio connections - worked perfectly between my two computers. Audio is degraded slightly, but video is as clear as a regular connection.

I use one daily. Haven't noticed any video degredation at all and my computer is always hooked up to one.

I don't play games though, but do watch tv and movies on the computer.

I couldn't live without the kvm switch.

*mine doesnt' have audio connections, just a kvm. I suppose Narcs is a kavm?

I believe that you can use a PS2 to USB converter to make USB work with it.

wheel

You are correct, That's what I do.

which brand/model do you have? I'm thinking about getting a switch too...

I ordered the one above - it should be in on Tuesday, I'll let you know how it works.


wheel

IOGear GCS62, link here:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/Sea...0&Sku=A225-1054

Obviously I didn't get it from tigerdirect. I actually got it from bestbuy cause I had a gift card. But at the time (about a year ago) newegg was selling it and I read the reviews on it, it got great user reviews. But newegg isn't loading for me right now, so you'll have to make due with the tigerdirect link and the model #

That is sometimes true with a cheap unit. For about $200 you can buy a really good powered switch that amplifies the signal so it won't degrade. But even with cheap units I've found it's mostly fine unless you're running at very high resolutions and/or framerates.

I believe that you can use a PS2 to USB converter to make USB work with it.

That's not always true... it's different witk KVM's. Some devices (mice/kb's) may work on a ps/2 KVM by using a usb->ps2 converter - others may not.

I had a Cybex/Avocent KVM that worked great... when I got my new laptop that didn't have ps2 ports, I couldn't get it to work with my devices using the converters (Logitech Mouseman Wheel, Logitech wireless kb). Had to buy a USB kvm to make everything work.

Got a Belkin that works pretty good, but doesn't switch right on occasion - it flips to the next machine, but then drops back to the original one after a few seconds. I've found that if I swap the cables going into the computers, it starts working again...???

I think you are talking about something different. We are talking about using a USB to PS2 converter to plug into the KVM switch. Not using a PS2 to USB converter to plug the KVM into the computer.

Right, some of them have issues with that too... some mice won't support all functions then converted to ps2 through a kvm & some wireless keyboards won't work at all. At least that's the gist of what I found when I was researching the problems I was having.

Oh, I didn't think so because I have never experienced that problem. But it only takes 1 that doesn't work to prove that it doesn't always work.

I ad a Logitech MX cordless Duo (w/ the MX700 mouse) and it wouldn't work through kvm. I'm thinking that one part did and one didn't, but I can't remember for sure. I had to switch to a different kbd/mouse set. The kvm was more important I'm currently using a logitech cheapo wireless kbd ("logitech cordless keyboard") and MS wired optical mouse (thru a usb/ps2 adaptor) and it's great. I have a belkin 4 port standard kvm, just vga and ps2 ports, no usb or audio.

I've heard that the usb kvms are slower to switch because the computer has to recognize the keyboard/mouse every time, true? That wouldn't work for me because I'm frequently switching back and forth quickly while working.

I wouldn't think that is true, here is why:

When I don't have a kvm switch handy (at the office), I will have 2 machines turned on. To boot each machine I will have a usb k+m plugged in. But after boot I will just share 1 set of k+m between the two. Meaning I'm constantly unpluggin and replugging. It never has to re-recognize the mouse or keyboard. So in theory, the kvm switch should operate the same.

1. you need to get a kvm for work there!
2. Nice to hear it doesn't necessarily work like I thought. I do know a guy at work that uses a usb kvm at home and said it takes several seconds every time he switches. It may depend on the kvm?

Several seconds to use the keyboard or mouse, or several seconds for the monitor to switch over? It could be the monitor is old or takes long to switch over.

Yep that is true. Some mice dont work with the PS2 converter. Especially Dell mice. I noticed this problem and changed to a logitech mouse, and it worked immediately.
Also, there are few versions of these KVM switches, and the one that I ahve sucks big time. I have the switch shared b/n a windows box n linux box. When using the windows box, if I press n hold the arrow keys, it screws up the system completely and I have to restart the machine for it to function correctly. I am thinking of getting rid of this crappy switch !

Is this in general that KVM's don't work with wireless mouse/keyboard? (logitech mx duo)

Well my TRENDware 2PORT KVM SWITCH DESKTOP KIT ( TK-205I ) came in today and I hooked it up and it worked fine. Currently I am using a PS2 keyboard and a USB mouse. Response time is fast and the switching is easy. No degredation of video at all.

Ultimate use will be with a Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - I will report back in a week or so.

Thanks for all the input -

wheel