DVI KVM - is there such a thing?

[MichaelD]

Do they make KVMs that switch DVI inputs? What's the IQ like on them? Though I'm obviously looking to switch b/t two PCs, I love how my LCD monitor looks over the DVI output, and don't want to (won't!) go back to a VGA output.

 

[NuroMancer]

Yes they do,
For example IOGEAR makes one : Item

The reason I didn't get one,
a) cost
b) max res is 1600X1200

 

[Kdiver58]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1981873&enterthread=y

This thread will also provide some information

 

[MichaelD]

Wow, that IS a nice KVM! Shares everything; speakers/sound too!

But it is a bit pricey, and with the proliferation of widescreen monitors, I can see how 16x12 isn't enough.

OK, thanks much, NuroMancer.

*edit*

Thanks, Kdiver58.

 

[Kdiver58]

http://www.cooldrives.com/2podvps2kvms.html

Here is one I'm looking at ... so I can go back to DVI.

right now I'm using my old ioGear mini KVM @ VGA

 

[Kdiver58]

The above cooldrives KVMA is out of stock and they cannot give me a delivery date.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks, Kdiver58. They are a bit pricey these days...I can wait. I'm OK w/the max resolution...the price is too much though.

I can control the other PC thru RDP.

 

[Kdiver58]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^6
I don't know .?
I didn't think $130 was too bad though for DVI KVMa

 

[krotchy]

Heres a Gefen box which has audio, 2 USB (keyboard/mouse) and DVI connection, however its worth noting it comes with 2 DVI, 2 USB and 2 Audio cables. At 200 bucks it is cheaper than the IOgear, but still quite pricey. Also it is HDCP-pass through compliant.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3113

Gefen makes some quality professional products (We use a DVI->HD-SDI scalar and a DVI distribution amp from them currently)

 

[Nocturnal]

Michael you're not going to find anything < $100. The IOGear model is great. I use four at work and they have never caused any problems except for the nForce 4 chipset. I just use a USB hub and it works fine. The KVM switches are awesome. Like I said, I have four at work.

 

[hans007]

i had the iogear.

they are getting cheaper. you can often find the io gear one for less than $100 on ebay. used to be nearly $200, but now that everyone has dvi monitors i guess the kvms are getting more common

 

[programmer]

Just saw this new Flip model from Belkin, will retail for $149 and supports dual-link DVI too. Another nice feature is the ability to leave the audio on one system regardless of the keyboard/mouse/video switch (so you can keep music playing as you switch back and forth).

http://www.belkin.com/pressroom/releases/uploads/01_08_07FlipDVI.html

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: programmer
Just saw this new Flip model from Belkin, will retail for $149 and supports dual-link DVI too. Another nice feature is the ability to leave the audio on one system regardless of the keyboard/mouse/video switch (so you can keep music playing as you switch back and forth).

http://www.belkin.com/pressroom/releases/uploads/01_08_07FlipDVI.html

I saw that KVM at CES and it looked pretty nice. However I wanted to get the hell out of there, because the lady showing off the booth was trying to seduce my friend, and she was kinda scaring me.

 

[hans007]

belkin KVMs suck. their older 2 and 4 port models are terrible (i have a DEAD 4 port here actually). yes you'd wonder how a KVM could actually die. plus belkin stuff doesnt come with the cables, the io gear is much more economical with the cables included (they are like $30 a piece for belkin and the belking already costs more). the iogear can actually support 1920x1200, i guess the only real think the flip adds is 30" monitor support.

 

[programmer]

I had a Belkin SOHO KVM that I didn't much care for, but do you have any experience with the Flip models?

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Do they make KVMs that switch DVI inputs? What's the IQ like on them? Though I'm obviously looking to switch b/t two PCs, I love how my LCD monitor looks over the DVI output, and don't want to (won't!) go back to a VGA output.

just out of curiosity what lcd do you have that looks so different with dvi compared to vga? the few that i have used (sony, samsung, viewsonic 17-19") to me have all looked the same on either port. just curious and wondering if when i move up to a higher resolution lcd the connection will become a issue.

 

[Beelziboss]

IMO, For what they are, any 2 port switch over $60 is highway robbery. It just pisses me off that you can get a nice 2port VGA for $45 but for the same thing with DVI instead its $249, what a joke. These things should not cost as much as your monitor or Video card. Especially since most Vid cards dont even offer VGA anymore.

I will just use inividual PC's until they want to get realistic with the prices. I just built a new machine and just wanted to use the old machine as a back up, which I can still do via a network connection.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: bob4432

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Do they make KVMs that switch DVI inputs? What's the IQ like on them? Though I'm obviously looking to switch b/t two PCs, I love how my LCD monitor looks over the DVI output, and don't want to (won't!) go back to a VGA output.

just out of curiosity what lcd do you have that looks so different with dvi compared to vga? the few that i have used (sony, samsung, viewsonic 17-19") to me have all looked the same on either port. just curious and wondering if when i move up to a higher resolution lcd the connection will become a issue.

I have a Viewsonic VX922 and it looks like crud when using VGA vs. DVI. And I agree with Beelziboss; that's why I havne't bought one yet. Remote Desktop let's me do what I need to, but it's not optimal, IMO.

 

[hardcandy2]

I suggest getting a separate DVI switch and then a USB/audio switch from Monoprice. A lot cheaper.
DVI switch

USB switches

 

[Nickel020]

If your LCD has both a DVI and a VGA input, you can likely use the monitor to switch between those two. I wanted to get a DVI KVM, but they're too expensive, so I hooked up the second PC to the VGA input and use the monitor to switch, and a $35 KVM for the rest. This way I still have DVI on the gaming PC and VGA is fine for the internet/work PC.

 

[Moose1309]

Originally posted by: NuroMancer
Yes they do,
For example IOGEAR makes one : Item

The reason I didn't get one,
a) cost
b) max res is 1600X1200

It may just be limited to single-link output, in which case it'll work with 1920x1200 at 60Hz. That's what I'm hoping anyway. A lot of single-link DVI devices advertise "up to" 1600x1200, simply because they don't take into account the fact that people use 1920.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Michael you're not going to find anything < $100.

Where'd you get that idea?

 

[fraquar]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Michael you're not going to find anything < $100.

Where'd you get that idea?

Notice the disclaimer on that one product that actually does sell for under $100.

Not intended for use with wide screen displays

Since when should a KVM discriminate between a wide screen and standard model monitor?

Nocturnal is right - and if you do find a DVI KVM retail for under $100 it will either be garbage (i.e crippled in some way as above) or the price point for the entire range of products will have finally dropped.

 

[Beelziboss]

Originally posted by: Nickel020
If your LCD has both a DVI and a VGA input, you can likely use the monitor to switch between those two. I wanted to get a DVI KVM, but they're too expensive, so I hooked up the second PC to the VGA input and use the monitor to switch, and a $35 KVM for the rest. This way I still have DVI on the gaming PC and VGA is fine for the internet/work PC.

I would do that as well except I have my Xbox360 plugged into the VGA on my LCD. SO having a DVI swtich would be bonus..but it was by far cheaper jsut to have 2 full pc's set up and networked.