KVM switch for Mac/PC w/Cinema display?

gweb · 12-09-2003, 06:44 PM

I'm looking for a KVM switch that will work with an Apple Cinema display. Does such a thing exist?

I would like to use one Cinema display, one USB mouse, and one USB keyboard to switch between a G5, a high-end PC, and an Apple laptop. It's a shame to spend so much money on the beautiful Cinema display and not easily be able to use it with multiple machines.

I realize that you need a $100 DVI to ADC adapter for the PC (and perhaps the laptop), but is there a KVM switch that will handle this combination?

I suppose I could use VNC as an alternative, but I'd rather have the performance of the switch.

If this particular switch hasn't yet been invented, I might as well request that it also allow sharing of additional USB devices in the way that IOGEAR does with their KVM switch - the ability to switch USB peripherals independently of KVM components.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Cheers!
Gerry

mennerrl · 12-10-2003, 07:55 AM

I support a MAC and PC environment and use Belkin switch boxes. They have a variety of products to accomplish this.

gweb · 12-10-2003, 01:04 PM

Since my original post, I've found a few options. I'm still interested in people's experiences and recommendations, but here's some info...

CompuCable’s ADC KVM Controller series allows two digital video systems to share an ADC LCD monitor, up to the 23” Cinema Display. The Hybrid ADC KVM Controller is specifically designed for use in a DVI + ADC setup (e.g., 1 Mac & 1 PC).
http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/adcdvi-adc-ab.html
ADCDVI-ADC-AB - 2-Port ADC Monitor Sharing Switch for DVI and ADC (ADCDVI-ADC-AB)

MiniView 2-port ADC KVM Switch Kit w/Cables
ITwo port MiniView™ ADC KVM switch from IOGEAR - use one keyboard, one mouse and one ADC display to control two ADC Macintosh systems
http://iogear.com/products/product.php?Item=GCS602
IOGEAR: GCS602 - MiniView 2-port ADC KVM Switch Kit w/Cables

Gefen - Switches DVI, USB and audio between two computers connected to ADC Flat Panel Displays
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1320
the ADC Switcher

Cheers!
Gerry

saint.duo · 09-15-2004, 03:19 PM

Has anyone found/used a KVM that will do USB and either ADC or DVI, support Apple's 23" Cinema HD display at full res, and can be connected to THREE machines?

Porcustal · 10-08-2004, 10:15 PM

Yeah me too,

I need a KVM switch to go between a G4 mac and a PC. DVI is esential and hot swaping is too, since thr PC doesn't normally like that.

<I'm not going to use a future cinema display on the switch, but will most likely hook one up directly to the G4 input. That way i can optionally have my PC on the DVI LCD and my G4 on the cinema seperately same time.. if you get my drift.>

I Do Want to use my apple keyboard, i've noted some complaints with various KVM switches not supporting it so if anyone can enlighten with their experiences, would be nice.

saint.duo · 10-09-2004, 02:04 AM

My dad just ordered this one from gefen. I'll let everyone know how it works.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1465

osxpounder · 10-21-2004, 08:51 PM

Thanks; that'll be interesting for a lot of us.

saint.duo · 10-21-2004, 11:24 PM

He said it works BEAUTIFULLY. The only issues he has is that he uses his PowerBook in clamshell mode, and when he switches away from it on the box, his powerbook thinks it's been disconnected (which is has), so it goes to sleep. Not really an issue with the kvm, as it's working properly, but it's an issue with is workflow. Also, he has the logitech 5.1 speakers available on the apple online store, and his speakers' remote control interferes with the kvm (which is controlled via a remote also).

fmorgan15 · 02-02-2005, 02:53 PM

Does the gefen KVM DVI USB switch support the full resolution of the apple cinema HD 23" display (1920x1200)? Their website is vague about this, but their competitors (which tend to offer lower prices) are clear about offering only a lower display resolution.

Macjim · 10-23-2006, 03:32 PM

Added another note about IOGear reference this discussion here:
http://forums.macosxhints.com/showth...ghlight=iogear

lovemymac · 11-01-2006, 01:43 PM

I've got a Belkin box KVM switch if anyone wants it. I used to have about ten of them but I'm down to one left. I don't use them myself. I only have one computer at home. It's not the USB model - it's the ps2 (would need a mac conversion box). Model number F1DB102P two port. Anyone wants it email me....

marksjeff@comcast.net

Just send me an addressed envelope and I'll stick it in the mail or something like that.

I would rather see it used then chucked.

ThreeBKK · 11-01-2006, 03:58 PM

Have you seen or heard about this software?
http://www.derman.com/
It's called KMremoteControl.

"Use one system's keyboard/mouse to operate all the Systems on your desk!"

It looks very useful to me, but maybe not exactly right for the original posted problem. The only catch is that: Your systems must all have monitors and you must be able to see all the monitors.

12-09-2003, 06:44 PM	#1
gweb Prospect Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2	KVM switch for Mac/PC w/Cinema display? I'm looking for a KVM switch that will work with an Apple Cinema display. Does such a thing exist? I would like to use one Cinema display, one USB mouse, and one USB keyboard to switch between a G5, a high-end PC, and an Apple laptop. It's a shame to spend so much money on the beautiful Cinema display and not easily be able to use it with multiple machines. I realize that you need a $100 DVI to ADC adapter for the PC (and perhaps the laptop), but is there a KVM switch that will handle this combination? I suppose I could use VNC as an alternative, but I'd rather have the performance of the switch. If this particular switch hasn't yet been invented, I might as well request that it also allow sharing of additional USB devices in the way that IOGEAR does with their KVM switch - the ability to switch USB peripherals independently of KVM components. Thanks in advance for your suggestions. Cheers! Gerry

12-10-2003, 01:04 PM	#3
gweb Prospect Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2	Found a few options... Since my original post, I've found a few options. I'm still interested in people's experiences and recommendations, but here's some info... CompuCable’s ADC KVM Controller series allows two digital video systems to share an ADC LCD monitor, up to the 23” Cinema Display. The Hybrid ADC KVM Controller is specifically designed for use in a DVI + ADC setup (e.g., 1 Mac & 1 PC). http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/adcdvi-adc-ab.html ADCDVI-ADC-AB - 2-Port ADC Monitor Sharing Switch for DVI and ADC (ADCDVI-ADC-AB) MiniView 2-port ADC KVM Switch Kit w/Cables ITwo port MiniView™ ADC KVM switch from IOGEAR - use one keyboard, one mouse and one ADC display to control two ADC Macintosh systems http://iogear.com/products/product.php?Item=GCS602 IOGEAR: GCS602 - MiniView 2-port ADC KVM Switch Kit w/Cables Gefen - Switches DVI, USB and audio between two computers connected to ADC Flat Panel Displays http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1320 the ADC Switcher Cheers! Gerry

09-15-2004, 03:19 PM	#4
saint.duo MVP Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,077	3 machines? Has anyone found/used a KVM that will do USB and either ADC or DVI, support Apple's 23" Cinema HD display at full res, and can be connected to THREE machines?

10-09-2004, 02:04 AM	#6
saint.duo MVP Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,077	Gefen My dad just ordered this one from gefen. I'll let everyone know how it works. http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1465

02-02-2005, 02:53 PM	#9
fmorgan15 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1	full 1920x1200 resolution for gefen? Does the gefen KVM DVI USB switch support the full resolution of the apple cinema HD 23" display (1920x1200)? Their website is vague about this, but their competitors (which tend to offer lower prices) are clear about offering only a lower display resolution.

12-10-2003, 07:55 AM	#2
mennerrl Prospect Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3	I support a MAC and PC environment and use Belkin switch boxes. They have a variety of products to accomplish this.

10-08-2004, 10:15 PM	#5
Porcustal Prospect Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 43	Yeah me too, I need a KVM switch to go between a G4 mac and a PC. DVI is esential and hot swaping is too, since thr PC doesn't normally like that. <I'm not going to use a future cinema display on the switch, but will most likely hook one up directly to the G4 input. That way i can optionally have my PC on the DVI LCD and my G4 on the cinema seperately same time.. if you get my drift.> I Do Want to use my apple keyboard, i've noted some complaints with various KVM switches not supporting it so if anyone can enlighten with their experiences, would be nice.

10-21-2004, 08:51 PM	#7
osxpounder Major Leaguer Join Date: May 2002 Location: atl, ga, usa Posts: 356	Thanks; that'll be interesting for a lot of us.

10-21-2004, 11:24 PM	#8
saint.duo MVP Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,077	He said it works BEAUTIFULLY. The only issues he has is that he uses his PowerBook in clamshell mode, and when he switches away from it on the box, his powerbook thinks it's been disconnected (which is has), so it goes to sleep. Not really an issue with the kvm, as it's working properly, but it's an issue with is workflow. Also, he has the logitech 5.1 speakers available on the apple online store, and his speakers' remote control interferes with the kvm (which is controlled via a remote also).

10-23-2006, 03:32 PM	#10
Macjim Prospect Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2	Added another note about IOGear reference this discussion here: http://forums.macosxhints.com/showth...ghlight=iogear

11-01-2006, 01:43 PM	#11
lovemymac Prospect Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3	I've got a Belkin box KVM switch if anyone wants it. I used to have about ten of them but I'm down to one left. I don't use them myself. I only have one computer at home. It's not the USB model - it's the ps2 (would need a mac conversion box). Model number F1DB102P two port. Anyone wants it email me.... marksjeff@comcast.net Just send me an addressed envelope and I'll stick it in the mail or something like that. I would rather see it used then chucked.

11-01-2006, 03:58 PM	#12
ThreeBKK MVP Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangkok Posts: 1,553	Have you seen or heard about this software? http://www.derman.com/ It's called KMremoteControl. "Use one system's keyboard/mouse to operate all the Systems on your desk!" It looks very useful to me, but maybe not exactly right for the original posted problem. The only catch is that: Your systems must all have monitors and you must be able to see all the monitors. __________________ ➤ The Mac App Store is a wolf in sheep's clothing. ➤ Think it's a good idea to put your most intimate data on someone else's server? Macmini5,2 ❖ 2.7 GHz Core i7 ❖ Snow Leopard ❖ Lion Last edited by ThreeBKK; 11-01-2006 at 04:00 PM.

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