Some models I came down to... Any of them any good? KVM switches! 2013

devnullius

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Feb 23, 2013
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Hello, original thread (without any participation - wrong forum!), here: http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,8018.msg20195.html

For now, I am looking for a new KVM switch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVM_switch).

This is harder than it looks. Last week I've spent 40? 50? hours of investigating all kind of brands, reviews & comments, slowly getting to an end-list (still with questions open - SO MUCH to know!).

Short introduction... Things to look for / things I am looking for.

Budget? I started at €100, went to 200 and now I am up to €400 and even €600 (it is THAT important to me - all my computers & screens combined costed me less than 600 ;p).

Technology? USB (with optional PS/2 very appreciated). DVI or VGA. Audio support. Dual-head (or triple or quad) appreciated, but not obliged. At least support for 4 ports (clients/CPUs).

Problem? USB. And also: EDID / Windows 7.

Why problem? USB support is very complex with KVM Switch technology (the reason why PS2 switches still are sold at full price). Complex mouses and keyboards (wireless, G5, ...) will introduce all kinds of problems. Also, to remember video settings correctly (Windows 7 introduced hardware EDID based recognition & communication for screens), EDID must be supported. Details are unclear, but as far as I can tell (PLEASE correct me!) there are two main EDID support systems: ddcb2 & ddc. DDC is the best option (& newest). But ddcb2 should do the trick too - unclear about the differences...

Some questions I wrote down for myself... Copy Paste:
"Question: difference synchronious sound vs. regular sound (with mic + speaker)

Q's:
- does it support mixed digital & analog DVI usage?
- can I safely use regular DVI/VGA/HDMI adapter plugs? And also: mix them?
- does it have hotkey reset for keyboard & mouse? Is reset needed? Having to walk and unplug USB or powering off the switch is a big NO NO. My current D-Link PS/2 switch offers hotkey reset, which is brillant. For PS2 ;)
- in general: is full EDID support supported? :) Or is it Emulated? Or is there no difference here?
Does it offer All-time full DDC/EDID emulation for video compatibility and stability? OR
do only connected and focussed CPUs receive full signal set?
- I want to have a constant connection, even when not focussed. So I KNOW there won't be any display or USB problems.
- how many years warranty? 1, 2, 3 or even more?"

In my very limited experiences, the biggest problem is USB support. Which is lacking on pretty much every (decent) switch out there... Display on my simple PS2 D-Link never was an issue, except for some BIOS / Pre-boot problems for some hardware once in a while...
Adder seems to have solved it, others try (very well to very badly: in general, I cannot find any devices WITHOUT bad reviews due to USB... Adder's devices are going under the radar, not many (if any) comments exist...).


In random order, with Adder's first (for they look truly promising!)

-- ADDERView 4 PRO DVI MultiScreen AV4PRO-DVI-DUAL;
http://www.adder.com/products/adderview-4-pro-dvi-multiscreen
€850; http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/unsorted/352930/adder-adderview-pro-multi-screen-dual-link-dvi-kvm-switch-(av4pro-dual-euro).html
-- ADDERView PRO 4-Port USB DVI KVM Switch AV4PRO-DVI-US AV4PRO-DVI-EURO
http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/av4pro-dvi-us.html
€425; http://www.takeitnow.nl/product/4153451/?c_id=972&channel_code=40&product_code=10672306&utm_source=tweakers.net
-- ADDERView 4 PRO VGA MultiScreen AV4PRO-VGA-Dual or AV4PRO-VGA-TRIPLE
http://www.adder.com/products/adderview-4-pro-vga-multiscreen
http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/av4pro-vga-dual.html
http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/av4pro-vga-triple.html
Dual @ €602 (http://www.takeitnow.nl/product/6351807) and @ €678 (http://www.takeitnow.nl/product/6691003) - info requested about the differences, if any.
Triple @ €605 (http://www.takeitnow.nl/product/5574321)
-- ADDER CCS4USB CCS4-USB-EUR (no idea how this works, not with LAN but with USB... Seems like a huge bottleneck over USB line concerning video? Then again, does it even support video?? I guess not, actually...)
http://www.adder.com/products/adder-ccs4usb (<€500)

-- (very popular brand) ATEN CS1734B 4-Port USB 2.0 KVMP Switch w/ OSD - 2.1 Channel Audio Support, USB 2.0 Hub, USB & PS/2 Support A240-1734
-- Aten CS1944 4-Port USB 2 MiniDP Dual View
http://www.kvm-shop.nl/nl/KVM-Producten/Desktop-KVM-Switches/CS1944-4-Port-USB-2-MiniDP-Dual-View/, approx. €600
No information about EDID or USB. Video itself has it all, even 3D etc. I'll call support (kvm-shop.nl) next week. I'll also ask if (mini-)displayport is easily / safely convert-able with appropriate plugs...
- Aten CS74U 4-Port USB KVM Switch
http://www.aten.com/download/download_m.php?modelNo=CS74U
Very "cheap" (€85). Nothing about EDID or USB. I'll call support (kvm-shop.nl) next week.
-- Many ATEN 4 port devices... Unsorted list: http://www.aten.com/products/productList.php?prdSubClassInput=20110118144659001&prdClassInput=By%20Function&prdInput=20110118144745001&flag=item&pgnext=6&pgpriv=1&tenpage=&pg=2
-- ATEN CS1784A USB DVI Dual Link KVMP™ Switch
http://www.aten.com/products/productItem.php?pcid=2005010513171002&psid=20070130114411002&pid=2010120816561001&layerid=subClass3
Dual Link is NOT Dual View... Video is 3D ready and all that, but again: nothing on EDID & USB itself! I will ask support next week, somewhere ;p
Approx. €220; http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/282026/aten-cs1784a/specificaties/
-- ATEN CS1644 USB 2.0 DVI Dual View KVMP™ Switch
http://www.aten.com/products/productItem.php?model_no=CS1644
(press "Informatie") http://www.centralpoint.nl/toetsenbord-video-muis-kvm-switches/aten/cs1644-art-cs1644-num-317888/
Dual View. 3D Video etc. Nothing on EDID & USB itself! I asked support withwww.hardwarewebwinkel.nl...
Approx. €365; http://www.hardwarewebwinkel.nl/netwerk-splittersextenders-switches-aten-cs1644-port-dual-view-kvmp-switch-p-953656.html?utm_campaign=pricecompare&amp;utm_content=textlink&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_source=tweakers(gives some more details on EDID too!)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6047996&CatId=598

-- Iogear 4-Port DVI KVMP Switch w/ 7.1 Audio & Cables Item#: A225-1374 | Model#: GCS1784
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4543370&CatId=598
-- iogear KVM switch: GCS1642
http://www.centralpoint.nl/toetsenbord-video-muis-kvm-switches/iogear/gcs1642-art-gcs1642-num-477009/
-- IOGEAR GCS1104
http://www.testfreaks.com/kvm-switches/iogear-gcs1104/
-- Iogear 4-Port Dual-Link DVI KVMP Pro GCS1204G
http://www.iogear.com/product/GCS1204G/
http://www.takeitnow.nl/product/6395041, popular seller @ €290
-- iogear 16-Port USB PS/2 Combo KVM Switch with Cables GCS1716KITU
http://www.takeitnow.nl/product/5969961#Technische%20details (€590)
DDCB2; nothing about USB support. USB 1.1 only! Shouldn't be in this list, but for googlers... xx

-- StarTech 4-poort DVI VGA USB KVM-switch with Audio and USB 2.0-hub SV431DDVDUA
(Dutch page) http://nl.startech.com/Serverbeheer/KVM-Switches/4-poort-DVI-VGA-USB-KVM-switch-met-Audio-en-USB-2-hub~SV431DDVDUA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817707204
€323; http://www.takeitnow.nl/product/4250381

-- BlackBox ServSwitch DT DVI USB
http://www.blackbox.nl/nl-nl/si/12321/ServSwitch-DT-DVI-USB/V1.S1.F5165.O3/kvm+switch
-- BlackBox ServSwitch DT DVI USB MultiVideo
http://www.blackbox.nl/nl-nl/fi/1431/12432/ServSwitch-DT-DVI-USB-MultiVideo/
-- BlackBox ServSwitch DT DVI with Bidirectional Audio
http://www.blackbox.nl/nl-nl/fi/1431/12798/ServSwitch-DT-DVI-with-Bidirectional-Audio/

-- D-Link KVM-440 8 Port PS2 / USB Combo KVM Switch KVM-440
http://www.excaliberpc.com/609559/d-link-kvm-440-port-ps2-usb.html#TabDescription

-- LINKSKEY LDV-DM204AUSK 4-port Dual Monitor DVI/DVI USB Audio & Mic KVM Switch w/ Cables
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817402040

-- UNICLASS Switch AL-204A 4-Port DVI / USB2. 0-TT ( AL-204A )
With TTU (True Transparant USB, like Adder's!), full DDC.
http://unsorted.hardware.nl/AL-204A, approx. €360.
TTU explanation: http://www.uniclass.com.tw/english/01_product/01_list.php?mid=79&id=155
-- UNICLASS Desktop HDMI or DisplayPort KVM Switch AI834A / AI-EP04A / AP834A / AP-204A
http://www.uniclass.com.tw/english/01_product/01_list.php?mid=79&id=156
HDMI adapter for regular DVI: http://dx.com/p/gold-plated-hdmi-male-to-dvi-24-1-female-adapter-32388
DisplayPort adapter for regular DVI: http://dx.com/s/displayport+male+to+dvi+female+adapter
I cannot find any resellers nor prices for this device :s

-- Intronics Ab7970 4 poorts dvi/usb switch+audio (AB7970)
€324; http://www.takeitnow.nl/product/4701591

-- Belkin OmniView Secure 4-Port KVM Switch - KVM switch - USB - 4 x KVM port(s) - 1 local user - desktop
http://www.belkin.com/nl/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=373469#
Military grade security sounds really cool. But what about EDID & USB?? I requested support with informatique.nl.
€355; http://www.takeitnow.nl/product/196953
Big Brother dual head model: http://www.takeitnow.nl/product/6657921

(I added a few devices curtsy by http://www.takeitnow.nl/categorie/netwerk/kvm_switches/p-1-100/)
(I'll also start another, last, search through Amazon...)

ANY THOUGHTS & ADVISES GREATLY APPRECIATED! WHICH BRANDS TO TRUST? WHICH NOT? WHAT AM I OVERLOOKING? NOT UNDERSTANDING? WHICH DEVICE REALLY REALLY REALLY ROCKS ACCORDING TO YOU GUYS?

Peace :)

Devvie



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