KVM help / question

[rh71]

Without breaking the bank, I'd like to do a KVM between my 2 machines. 1 is my desktop that is HDMI (will be my main display and the monitor is HDMI-only). The other is my laptop that only has connectors either VGA or displayport (never used this and don't know what to expect). Is there such a hardware KVM switch that can do this? No audio from laptop necessary. I didn't see any on monoprice or newegg when searching the related terms HDMI, VGA, or even displayport.

If there's no such thing, what's the next best way to do this, perhaps using converter parts?

 

[dawza]

You should be able to use adapters with a DVI KVM. Make sure you know what kind of DP --> DVI adapter you need, though. We have a T420 hooked up to a DVI KVM using a mini-DP --> DVI (passive adapter, which is all the T420 needs) and it works flawlessly. The other computer is hooked up straight DVI-->DVI, but HDMI-->DVI should be even more straightforward than DP --> DVI.

You'll probably also need a DVI-HDMI cable (or another adapter) to connect the monitor to the switch.

If your other laptop only has analog out (VGA), and does not offer a digital video output, that may be tough. You want to pass a single class (digital or analog) of video signal across the entire chain.

Do you need the full KVM switching features (e.g. from cold boot), or can you get away with a software solution like Synergy?

 

[_Rick_]

I'm using my monitor's built in KVM, which can associate one of the two USB upstreams to one of several video inputs.
Switching video source then also switches mouse and keyboard over. By daisy chaining hubs, you can get even more devices switched over.

Your problem is going to be to with regard to displayport. If it's a DP++ port (as in the T420 in the above post), it can be used to output DVI, which in turn should be passively adaptable to HDMI, if the screen fully supports the standard.
If it's a normal DP port, then you're in standard-hell, because adapting DP to HDMI is "illegal" (i.e. won't get supported by the HDMI consortium) and will also require an active converter, most likely.

So, as above poster pointed out, a DVI-KVM is your best bet, and using a bunch of adapters,. like this:

PC - hdmi -> dvi -KVM
Laptop - DP++ -> dvi -KVM
KVM - DVI -> HDMI - monitor

You should be able to get either adapters or adapter-cables for each of these configurations. As long as your screen is only 1080p or lower (single link DVI is the limiting factor) you should be fine.

 

[rh71]

Thanks I'll look into it. I am currently using Synergy but dislike looking at the small laptop screen so this is my solution. Too bad RAdmin doesn't work for Linux or I'd just do that instead. Software KVM would be fine.