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Q: Display Port KVM Switch

Just wondering if anyone had some recommendations for a display port switch.

 

I'd like to switch a USB keyboard and a LED display (via Display Port) between two Mac computers. (Mac Pro and Mini)

 

Also, I was wondering how you handle a Bluetooth mouse in this situation.

Posted on Dec 29, 2011 6:26 AM

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Q: Display Port KVM Switch

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  • by X423424X,

    X423424X X423424X Dec 29, 2011 12:04 PM in response to 1 Open Loop
    Level 6 (14,237 points)
    Dec 29, 2011 12:04 PM in response to 1 Open Loop

    I think the following will do what you want for the mini-displayport/usb kvm:

     

    Atlona 2x1 Mini DisplayPort KVM Switch

     

    Using a single BT mouse on two machines is another story.  Don't think that is possible.  You can only pair a BT device with one machine at a time.  So you would end up having to unpair and re-pair on each switch.  Stick with a wired usb mouse going through your kvm or use two mice, i.e., one on each machine that of course doesn't go through the kvm.

  • by Kujako,

    Kujako Kujako Dec 29, 2011 2:43 PM in response to 1 Open Loop
    Level 2 (270 points)
    Dec 29, 2011 2:43 PM in response to 1 Open Loop

    I use a Gefen 4x4 switching matrix, however if you are looking for something simpler they make a 2x1 version which you should be able to find on eBay for a fair price.

     

    /___sbsstatic___/migration-images/171/17137611-1.jpg

  • by 1 Open Loop,

    1 Open Loop 1 Open Loop Dec 30, 2011 4:27 AM in response to X423424X
    Level 2 (362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 30, 2011 4:27 AM in response to X423424X

    That product appears to be discontinued.

  • by 1 Open Loop,

    1 Open Loop 1 Open Loop Dec 30, 2011 4:28 AM in response to Kujako
    Level 2 (362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 30, 2011 4:28 AM in response to Kujako

    Do you have a Bluetooth mouse? I was wondering how that would be handled with a KVM switch.

  • by Kujako,

    Kujako Kujako Dec 30, 2011 10:30 AM in response to 1 Open Loop
    Level 2 (270 points)
    Dec 30, 2011 10:30 AM in response to 1 Open Loop

    You simply cant use a Bluetooth mouse with a KVM switch. Bluetooth doesn't allow that. You have to bind the mouse to one specific computer.

     

    Beyond that, I would still recomend looking at the Gefen 2x1 switch. Gefen products are expensive, but you can find used ones cheap on eBay and they last forever in most cases.

     

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

  • by 1 Open Loop,

    1 Open Loop 1 Open Loop Dec 31, 2011 6:30 AM in response to Kujako
    Level 2 (362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 31, 2011 6:30 AM in response to Kujako

    That's what I though. I guess I could simply get a second Magical Mouse and turn it on/off as needed. I was thinking of buying Magical Mice anyway. I have this fear that Apple will eventually kill off the mouse for the pad. I tried the pad and gave it to my son. I've been using a mouse for too long.

     

    I was looking at the gefen products. Sounds like good advice, I'll think I go with that.

     

    One question, do you run multiple monitors on either of the computers connected to the switch? The reason I asked is I tried out a DVI switch a few years back. As I recall, my Mac Pro had an issue when I switched to the Mini. I think the Mac Pro thought the one monitor was now gone, or something like that. Either way, it wasn't a clean method to simply switch back and forth.

  • by Kujako,Helpful

    Kujako Kujako Dec 31, 2011 10:52 AM in response to 1 Open Loop
    Level 2 (270 points)
    Dec 31, 2011 10:52 AM in response to 1 Open Loop

    Well what I use is a 4x4 DVIKVM matrix switch.

     

    http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=5312

     

    That lets you switch between any four computers and any four keyboards, monitors, audio and mice. I currently only use two monitors, but I can choose which video port on which computer connects to which monitor on the fly.

     

    One thing to keep in mind, some video cards and systems dont like their video to be disconnected. You may find you need a monitor emulator inline between the KVM and the computer.

  • by 1 Open Loop,

    1 Open Loop 1 Open Loop Jan 2, 2012 6:18 AM in response to Kujako
    Level 2 (362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 2, 2012 6:18 AM in response to Kujako

    I never heard of a monitor emulator. Sounds like something that was necessary the last time I tried a KVM switch. It appears that the graphics card thought the monitor was unplugged when I switched sources. If that's the case, shouldn't a good KVM switch provide that emulation? Keep the sources under the impression that everything is still connected?

     

    Also, I was wondering if I used a USB Bluetooth adapter in the USB port for the mouse. If that would work, I could use my Bluetooth Magical Mouse and have it switch between computers. Although I wonder if you can use a Magical Mouse via a Bluetooth adapter? Is the mouse Magical enough?

  • by Kujako,

    Kujako Kujako Jan 2, 2012 8:51 AM in response to 1 Open Loop
    Level 2 (270 points)
    Jan 2, 2012 8:51 AM in response to 1 Open Loop

    I know of no KVM that includes the monitor emulator built in as they are not inexpensive devices and not all video cards / computers need them.

     

    As for putting a blue-tooth adaptor in the USB port of the switch, I doubt that would work but it may. However I would expect it to be a little slow to switch between systems if it where to work at all.

  • by Kujako,

    Kujako Kujako Jan 2, 2012 9:22 AM in response to Kujako
    Level 2 (270 points)
    Jan 2, 2012 9:22 AM in response to Kujako

    Just for clairifcation, in my case my Mac Pro does not need a monitor emulator but my PC does.

  • by 1 Open Loop,

    1 Open Loop 1 Open Loop Jan 3, 2012 6:09 AM in response to Kujako
    Level 2 (362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 3, 2012 6:09 AM in response to Kujako

    Which graphics card are you using? I have a 5770.

  • by Kujako,

    Kujako Kujako Jan 3, 2012 9:07 AM in response to 1 Open Loop
    Level 2 (270 points)
    Jan 3, 2012 9:07 AM in response to 1 Open Loop

    NVidia 8800 in the Mac Pro and ATI 6950 in the PC.

  • by 1 Open Loop,

    1 Open Loop 1 Open Loop Jan 4, 2012 8:04 AM in response to Kujako
    Level 2 (362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 4, 2012 8:04 AM in response to Kujako

    That's good to know. I believe when I last tried a KVM switch, I had the 8800 card in my system and I was having issues with that particular KVM switch. So it must have been the switch.

     

    Also, I came across another KVM switch. I got a response from their tech support on the topic of emulation. Here's their response.

     

    The EDIDs from the display port are emulated so the Mac will see a display permanently connected. Some of the MAC led displays require DDC/CI support. This is disabled by default on the switch so will require enabling if required by the display.

     

    http://us.adder.com/products/adderview-4-pro-displayport

     

    Also, it appears you can connect two of these together and switch two monitors between two systems which support two monitors.

  • by Kujako,

    Kujako Kujako Jan 4, 2012 9:06 AM in response to 1 Open Loop
    Level 2 (270 points)
    Jan 4, 2012 9:06 AM in response to 1 Open Loop

    Expensive for a four port KVM, but the Addreview looks like a nice unit in terms of specifications. The USB emulation is a nice feature, but it does limit what you can plug into the switched USB ports.

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