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Cabinet KVM Recommendation?
pmc:
I have two PCs and am introducing a Dreamcast to my (VGA-based) cabinet. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive KVM so I can swap between them on the fly?
Any easily hackable ones out there? The reason I ask is because I may be able to push the hacked DC controllers through the switch too so I can get:
PC1 = K + CP via IPAC + V + M
PC2 = K + CP via IPAC + V + M
DC = CP via hacked Controllers + V
I also have S-Video output from the DC and PC1 so a switch or splice would be great there too.
Twoud be nice to toggle between all three platforms without mucking with multiple connections. Should I consider building my own from scratch? I've used the cheapy manual versions like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-107-119&depa=0
But I've had problems with ghosting and crappy quality video. I'm worried that building my own would result in similar quality problems.
I assume I can splice all the audio together and not bother considering an audio switch. But I am planning on dumping line-level audio from the MAME PC to a nearby stereo system.
GGKoul:
This is off topic, but where did you get a VGA based Dreamcast? I assume you have to hack a DC controller. Right?
Thanks!
-GGKoul
jcoleman:
The DC outputs VGA natively. It all depends on your output cable/box.
Coleman
Searcher7:
I don't think that you'll find an "inexpensive" one that is any good, let alone one that is good *and* allows for decent monitor resolutions.
I've had two KVMs crap out within a couple of months. And one of those was a Belkin. So I would also like recommendations as far as what would be a reliable make and model.
Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
pmc:
--- Quote from: GGKoul on March 30, 2004, 01:26:51 pm ---This is off topic, but where did you get a VGA based Dreamcast? I assume you have to hack a DC controller. Right?
--- End quote ---
I have one of these (OK, similar anyway):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3088027659&category=4303
One major drawback of going with a VGA display is that I cannot easily hook up my PSX or Sega Genesis or other consoles. I solved that problem with emulation (ePSXe and GENS). The Dreamcast is not only happy with VGA, it looks AWESOME! So I gotta use scanlines with MAME to get close to the right feel, but Soul Calibur at high rez and without the scanlines is a sight to behold. I'm so happy I could wet myself! But now I gotta deal with swapping the ---goshdarn--- cables all the time. That's for the birds. Hence the KVM idea.
And I was thinking that if I spent the dough on an IP-based KVM, I could play from anywhere on the net.... hmmmm.... must start on networkable CP..... ;D
- p