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al35mm
02-26-2008, 11:58 AM
I can not for the life of me find a KVM switch with this combination of features - every combination but this one!

I have found KVMs that support dual VGA displays with USB, or dual DVI displays with PS/2. Or single DVI display with USB, but not dual DVI with USB! It's nuts!!

I have a new computer arriving next week which I will be using for 3D work, and my current computer will be used for video work, and will also be added to my render farm. So I need a KVM switch to enable me to use both computers from one keyboard and pen tablet/mouse, and 2 DVI LCD displays. Obviously I need DVI and not VGA, and I need USB for my pen tablet mouse. So it needs to be a 2 port, dual display KVM with DVI, and USB support.

So first of all, does anyone know of a KVM that has this combination of features?

If not, can anyone think of a work around for this?

Would this work - if I got a KVM with support for dual DVI display and PS/2 connections for KB & mouse, could I use a USB to PS/2 adaptor to plug my USB pen tablet/mouse into the KVM's PS/2 port, then use PS/2 to USB adaptors to go from the KVM's PS/2 outputs to both computer's USB ports? Would that work, or would the KVM's PS/2 circuitry destroy the USB signal? Or would the USB signal blow up the KVM's PS/2 circuitry??!!
BOXXlabs
02-26-2008, 02:29 PM
oops - reread yopu post -


I don't know of anything
al35mm
02-26-2008, 02:40 PM
oops - reread yopu post -

What the..? What did I miss?
rexwu
02-26-2008, 04:53 PM
Yes, we're working on manufacturing a KVM switch with dual-DVI and USB.
We project that we'll have a Beta version in this May.
Will you like to test a sample unit ? I can arrange it as long as the tester need to provide feedback for his testing results.

Question for you - for the dual DVI connections, do you need DVI-I or DVI-D connections ?
or mix ? which one you prefert ? - As we're at the last stage of setting up the final spec. of the switch.
lollygag
02-26-2008, 05:05 PM
Dont switch the keyboard and mouse on a kvm.. use a simple usb switch and a hub

Or buy a Gefen.. http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=4511

Done !
rexwu
02-26-2008, 05:21 PM
Dont switch the keyboard and mouse on a kvm.. use a simple usb switch and a hub

Or buy a Gefen.. http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=4511

Done !

A new technology- called "Dynamic USB Device Mapping"- can solve the problem of USB devices (including USB keyboard and USB mouse) simulation problem.

The new USB KVM switch will be released in May will include the "Dynamic USB Device Mapping" technology- built-in, so even you switch between USB systems, the USB device
property profiles will be kept with connected systems' OS.

Gefen's KVM switch can not do the "Dynamic USB Device Mapping" and will have problem while you switching among USB system.
al35mm
02-26-2008, 06:54 PM
Yes, we're working on manufacturing a KVM switch with dual-DVI and USB.
We project that we'll have a Beta version in this May.
Will you like to test a sample unit ? I can arrange it as long as the tester need to provide feedback for his testing results.

Question for you - for the dual DVI connections, do you need DVI-I or DVI-D connections ?
or mix ? which one you prefert ? - As we're at the last stage of setting up the final spec. of the switch.
Hi, yes I would be happy to test and provide feedback if you can ship a unit to the uk. To be honest I don't know the difference between dvi-i and dvi-d - what is the difference? My preference would be what ever works best :)
al35mm
02-26-2008, 07:12 PM
Dont switch the keyboard and mouse on a kvm.. use a simple usb switch and a hub

Or buy a Gefen.. http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=4511

Done !
That Gefen is dual link dvi, not dual display. I have looked everywhere and amazingly no one makes a dual dvi display kvm with usb.

For now I'm going to have to go with a ps/2 kvm with dual display DVI. I have looked at the USB switch option, and I might go for that just for the pen tablet/mouse, as my KB can be used with ps/2 through an adaptor that I have already.

I would still be interested to know if a USB pen tablet/mouse could be passed through the ps/2 interface of the KVM, and then connected to the computers via USB again.
lollygag
02-26-2008, 07:27 PM
Then this

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=4178

or use any KVM with a cheap usb switch..

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-2-Port-Manual-Switch/dp/B0002JUHS4

or am i missing somthing ? I use a Gefen 4X4 DV DL to run 2 machines with 2 Dual Link displays.. and yes my Tablet works at the end of a 20' run of cables to a server closet via a powered USB hub at the end of the run.
lollygag
02-26-2008, 07:32 PM
Dual Link is the type of DVI connection.. as per your other question.. "I don't know the difference between dvi-i and dvi-d" DVI-D is Dual Link.. Unless your running 30" displays (and dual link cables) you probably dont need the Dual Link switches
al35mm
02-26-2008, 08:01 PM
Thanks lollygag, that gefen is exactly what I need! And I found a distributer in the UK who stocks it. Unfortunately the price tag here is $1060 + 17.5% tax.

I will go for the ps/2 one over here for about $200 value, and the USB switch.
lollygag
02-26-2008, 08:15 PM
Yes.. Gefen switches are industial (and expensive).. in a different league than most KVM solutions. I only found them a while back because they were the only one that made a KVM for Dual Link displays and the extending amplifiers to run longer than 15' Dual Link DVI cables.
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