The LCD Rack Console with Built-In 8-Port PRO3 KVM Switch - Dual-Rail Technology enables ... more
secure and compact centralized server control. Independently sliding rails allow the high-grade, 17-inch LCD to remain displayed, even with the keyboard stored. Th...
Postage & Packaging: £4.50 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The LCD Rack Console with Built-In 8-Port PRO3 KVM Switch - Dual-Rail Technology enables ... more
secure and compact centralized server control. Independently sliding rails allow the high-grade, 17-inch LCD to remain displayed, even with the keyboard stored. Th...
Postage & Packaging: £4.50 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Advantages: Cheap, all in one solution Disadvantages: No manual overide or audio support
stops autoscanning and lets you use the currently selected PC.
The Belkin claims support for scrolling mice but I did find sometimes one PC would start up without recognising this facility if it wasn't the currently selected one when booting up and in extreme cases, wouldn't recognise the keyboard and mouse at all. Previous KVM's I've used send the PC fake 'There's a keyboard and mouse here' messages when not selected and it seems this unit does not, which is a pity.
Conclusion
The Belkin 2 portKVM is a well built unit that works nicely and provides a great way to save desk space and the cost of a second monitor, keyboard and mouse. The long leads are useful and despite the niggles with scrolling mice and the lack of manual switch. I'd say this unit is worth considering at this price if you can live with those shortcomings ...
Advantages: Cheap, all in one solution, audio support Disadvantages: No manual overide
It's surprising how many people have more than one PC at home although even more surprising is that many of them each have their own screen, keyboard and mouse.
In many cases this makes perfect sense but sometimes, you know you'll only ever use one or the other - perhaps one is your general PC and the other your music workstation. In these situations you can save a lot of space and money by investing in a KVMswitch. KVM stands for Keyboard, Video and Mouse and allows you to use one keyboard, mouse and screen shared between two PCs.
This particular unit from Belkin is unusual in that it also includes audio support and also comes with all the leads permanently attached instead of being supplied as a separate cabling set.
Wiring it Up
Installation is simply a matter of taking each of the two main cables and plugging the sets ...
Advantages: Cheap, Supports PS/2, Doesn't need a Power Supply Disadvantages: Cable layout, Flimsy Construction
I'll let you know from the start, this review will be moderately technical and only of any real interest to folk that have multiple PCs in the same room. The reason for this is that the purpose of a KVMswitch is to share a single Keyboard, Video Display and Mouse among a number of computers. If you don't have a number of PCs in the same room, you're simply not going to need one of these little beauties.
Sadly, I do have a number of PCs in the same room. The investment in terms of initial outlay, desk-space and electricity to run a separate Monitor, keyboard and mouse for each one was not something to relish. I'd used KVMswitches at work so I set about looking for one for my home office.
PC-World had the answer to my questions. A 4-portKVMswitch from Belkin that supports PS/2 keyboard and mouse sharing with VGA video between 4 ...
Product Information for "Belkin OmniView 17" Dual-Rail LCD Console with Built-In 8-Port KVM Switch" »
General
MPN
F1DC108BUKDR
Display Type
KVM console / TFT active matrix
Height (Rack Units)
1U
Width
67.3 cm
Depth
44.8 cm
Height
4.4 cm
Weight
15.1 kg
Localisation
United Kingdom
Display
Diagonal Size
17"
Viewable Size
17"
Video input
Analogue video Signal
RGB
Input device
Type
Keyboard, touchpad, keypad
Kvm
Type
KVM switch - 8 ports
Expansion / connectivity
Interfaces
1 x VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
8 x keyboard / mouse / video - 50 PIN Centronics
1 x keyboard - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style)
1 x mouse - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style)
2 x USB - 4 PIN USB Type A
1 x management - RJ-11
1 x network stack device - 25 pin D-Sub (DB-25)
Miscellaneous
Cables Included
1 x serial cable
Rack Mounting Kit
Included
Features
Key lock
Power
Form Factor
External
Environmental parameters
Min Operating Temperature
0 °C
Max Operating Temperature
40 °C
Humidity Range Operating
0 - 80%
Manufacturer's product description
Designed for easy access and server monitoring, the OmniView LCD Rack Console is the perfect solution for saving space in the server room. The Console features Dual-Rail technology and integrated 8-port KVM switches. With independently sliding rails, it allows the high-grade LCD monitor to remain displayed, even with the laptop-style keyboard/mouse tray stored. With its slim 1U design, the OmniView LCD Rack Console fits any standard 19-inch, 4-post rack. The LCD Rack Console offers an affordable solution with Belkin reliability, quality, and support.
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