Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch With Audio Support

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 KVM switch. 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...

ilaskey 26.01.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch with Audio Support and Built-In Cabling - KVM / audio switch - 2 ports

Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch With Built-In Cabling

Advantages: Advantages: Cheap, all in one solution
Disadvantages: No manual overide or audio support

...has USB connections for the keyboard and mouse although Belkin do a range of KVM's so you can probably find a PS/2 equivelent if you have that sort of mouse/keyboard. The PS/2 models also include PS/2->USB adaptors so you'll also need those if you have a USB mouse and PS/2 keyboard. This particular model has no support for audio so if you need to also have your microphone and speakers switch from PC to PC, look elsewhere. The monitor, keyboard and mouse are then connected to the KVM to complete the set up. One bugbear is that like the vast majority of KVMs, this Belkin unit has cables going in one end and out the other making it difficult to place on a desktop without having cables hanging out everywhere. However, there is no reason why you can't just tuck it out the way out of sight as it has no parts you'd normally need to access...

ilaskey 21.03.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Belkin 2-Port KVM Switch with Built-In Cabling - KVM switch - 2 ports

Aten Masterview CS1774 KVM Switch

Advantages: Build quality, flexibility
Disadvantages: Too few USB ports, a bit pricy

...to switch from one machine to another. ################### ## In the Box ################### The CS1774 is a small but pleasingly heavy device that support up to 4 different computers. As well as the basic KVM function, it also includes a 2 port USB hub, stereo out and microphone in and an Ethernet hub that accepts both 10 and 100Mbps links. The kit includes a full compliment of leads for 4 PCs, a firmware upgrade cable, external PSU and full printed manuals along with a quick start guide. The build quality is excellent with quality connectors and a solid metal case. The CS1774 is well designed with all the leads connecting at the rear except for two USB ports making it easy to keep everything nicely tided away. It is also designed to stack with similar units if desired. The keyboard and mouse connectors are USB although...

ilaskey 31.08.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of ATEN Master View Dual-View CS-1744 - KVM / audio / USB switch - 4 ports

At last,a low price KVM switch with a USB platform

Advantages: easdy to use,USB connections,up to 4 pc's
Disadvantages: not pretty,

...two).Switching between pc's is just a keystoke and its quite strange at first to instantly move between one display/audio/input and another. This belkin switch is a big improvement on previous models but beware when buying,several Belkin KVM's have almost the same model numbers and names,make sure you get the USB model, as usual with Belkin old models hang around for ages especially when buying on line and you can easy end up with an old ps2 model some dealer is trying to off load to make way for the new style. This is not helped by the price structure,an old style switch can often come up at a hight price than the new one so take care. Bottom line is,as usual with Belkin the product will do what is says it will and in this case better than before,if you use more than one pc on a regular basis then this is a must have...

coppinpr 05.08.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Belkin OmniView SOHO Series 4-Port USB KVM Switch with Audio - KVM / audio switch - 4 ports

USB KVM that works best with PS/2 machines.

Advantages: Take 3 monitors, keyboards and mice off your desktop.
Disadvantages: Not recommended for newer (all USB) devices.

...Overall a frustrating experience with some machines and as a result cannot recommend this device, particularly when using newer machines. I have a number of these devices and all exhibit the same problem, which suggests a common fault, in that some newer Dell machines do not seem to synchronise with this device when switched to. Ironically, older machines (Dell GX150/260/270/280) work with this device without any problems, even though they are intended to have a PS/2 keyboard and mouse. Newer machines, such as the GX620 and 745, which are all USB machines (no PS/2) have problems synchronising when switched to. There is no response from the keyboard and mouse on screen, although the keypresses to switch to another port on the KVM seem to work, yet if a USB keyboard and mouse are plugged in to the machine in question then...

dvdlcs 29.01.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of LINDY CPU Switch Lite - KVM switch - 4 ports

A room with an OmniView

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 KVM switch 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 KVM switches at work so I set about looking for one for my home office. PC-World had the answer to my questions. A 4-port KVM switch from Belkin that supports PS/2 keyboard and mouse sharing with VGA video between 4...

LegendaryMrDude 23.12.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Belkin OmniView SOHO Series 4 Port KVM Switch - KVM switch - 4 ports

Too many PC's and Too little Space: A Solution?

Advantages: Allows 4 PCs to share one Keyboard, Mouse and Monitor
Disadvantages: Switching regularly can be a pain. PS2 Only

...In my job I use a lot of PCs. I have 3 main PC's, and a further 7 tied to my desk. I use at least 3 different operating systems, on 4 different models of PC, from 2 different manufacturers. I also like having a large monitor, preferably 19" or 21" minimum. Now how do you get three PC's, three 21" Monitors, three keyboards and three mice onto a desk no bigger than a kitchen breakfast bar? The answer is simple: You don't. What you do is invest in something like this Belkin Omniview E-Series 4-port KVM Switch, which provides the ability to use a single monitor, keyboard and mouse on up to 4 PCs. The Belkin OmniView I have been provided with did not come with connection cables, so make sure that if you are getting one of these, you cost in the price of cables to each of the PCs on your desk. Once I had got the necessary cables...

memorekz 15.07.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Belkin OmniView E Series 4 Port KVM Switch - KVM switch - 4 ports

Neat Netgear 5 port gigabit switch

Advantages: Cheap, reliable, simple to use
Disadvantages: None.

...I liked this switch so much, I bought two of them. Netgear have a reputation for cheap and reliable networking equipment, and this 5 port unmanaged switch is no exception. When I bought my two, they were retailing online for approx £35 each - but these days you should be able to get one for approx £25 (inc VAT.) The switch is more or less the size of my hand (yes, I have big hands). With 5 ports on the back - all are auto-sensing, as is the gigabit standard, so you don't have to worry about crossover cables if you're daisy-chaining switches... The only other port on the back is for power, which is the usual "wall-wart" plug in transformer you get with most home networking equipment. Given the switch is unmanaged, you can just plug desktop computers, laptops, XBOXes, network printers straight into the switch, and not worry...

sjhill 20.08.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of NETGEAR GS605 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch - switch - 5 ports

Netgear GS105 5 Port Gigabit Switch

Advantages: Easy installation, small, sturdy, quiet, auto uplink
Disadvantages: Runs quite hot

...This is a 10/100/1000Mbps switch with 5 auto-sensing ports Visual Description A compact unit measuring 16cm x 10cm x 3cm (approx) Housed in a very sturdy blue metal casing with venting slots on the side and back Looks very professional 5 Front mounted UTP sockets Rear mounted PSU socket (12 Volt, 1.2 Amp, Centre Positive) and Earth tag LED indicators to display 10Mb, 100Mb, 1000Mb connection, Activity, Full Duplex, Collisions and Power Installation The GS105 switch comes supplied with manuals, 12 Volt (1.2Amp) PSU, ethernet cable, and the unit itself. Installation is very simple and requires no configuration as this is an un-managed switch. Simply connect your existing CAT5 cables from your PC to the switch, it will detect the connection speed and cable type. No need to worry about using cross-over cables or straight through...

sj19uk 11.09.2005 (04.12.2005) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of NETGEAR ProSafe GS105 - switch - 5 ports

Great value

Advantages: Quick and easy to set up
Disadvantages: Video may get interference

...I've had this KVM switch for a number of years now, since my previous one only had two ports. I found this one fairly cheap somewhere. You're supplied with all the VGA and PS2 cables for each of the 4 connections. You can then plug these cables into your computers. The button on the top allows for quick switching. But as well as using the button for switching between computers, you are also able to use keyboard shortcuts. These are pretty common in KVM switches, and belkin manage to do it the same way as everyone else. Great for people that are already used to using a KVM switch. The KVM switch has a useful beep, which can be helpful to understand when a command was received by the switch. The switch also has a port for plugging in power. This helps improve the quality of the picture as there is more power behind it. Most...

webspot 11.11.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Belkin OmniView SOHO Series 4 Port KVM Switch - KVM switch - 4 ports