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]

This is off topic, but where did you get a VGA based Dreamcast?  I assume you have to hack a DC controller.  Right?

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.....  

- p

[Edgedamage]

My work has kvm's in every room. The two we use are:

Belkin "omni cube"

Cybex "switch view"

Cool thing about the cybex is if you press Ctrl twice
the keyboard leds flash and you can press A or B or C or D + enter and the KVM will switch ports for you without having to use the switch on the panel of the KVM. Usefull for using the KVM remotely.

[Sasquatch!]

My work has kvm's in every room. The two we use are:

Belkin "omni cube"

Cybex "switch view"

Cool thing about the cybex is if you press Ctrl twice
the keyboard leds flash and you can press A or B or C or D + enter and the KVM will switch ports for you without having to use the switch on the panel of the KVM. Usefull for using the KVM remotely.

Heh, we use these exact KVMs at my work too.  Kooky!  By the way, the Belkins will do this too (remote switching) if you press ScrollLock twice.

I've had a couple of minor quirks with the Belkin ones - most notably, it tends to "forget" that it has a mouse in it occasionally.  I've never had a problem with the Cybex ones though.

[Edgedamage]

Doh I forgot what the command was for the belkin's. Our Cybex KVM's out number the belkins by ten to 1.

[Searcher7]

Doh I forgot what the command was for the belkin's. Our Cybex KVM's out number the belkins by ten to 1.

Can you tell me what model number the Cybex ones are?

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[Edgedamage]

when I get to work I will.

[pmc]

when I get to work I will.

Can you do a quick and dirty video quality assesssment? Maybe load up MAME on your two corporate servers and get Samurai Showdown going!  

Just kidding. But seriously, I'd be interested in your opinion as to how quality is. That's my biggest concern.

A quick walk through eBay indicates that these puppies are plentiful and cheap. Here's an example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3084721298&category=51174

[Sasquatch!]

Can you do a quick and dirty video quality assesssment? Maybe load up MAME on your two corporate servers and get Samurai Showdown going!  

Just kidding. But seriously, I'd be interested in your opinion as to how quality is. That's my biggest concern.

I've honestly not noticed ANY video signal degredation when using either the Belkin or the Cybex.  

[Searcher7]

Can you do a quick and dirty video quality assesssment? Maybe load up MAME on your two corporate servers and get Samurai Showdown going!  

Just kidding. But seriously, I'd be interested in your opinion as to how quality is. That's my biggest concern.

I've honestly not noticed ANY video signal degredation when using either the Belkin or the Cybex.  

I've noticed it using a Belkin. Which also occasionally tended to "forget" the mouse when I switched from one system to the other, necessitating a reboot.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, new York.

[Edgedamage]

Doh I forgot what the command was for the belkin's. Our Cybex KVM's out number the belkins by ten to 1.

Can you tell me what model number the Cybex ones are?

Thanks.

Hmmm can't find a model # they are just called Cybex "switch view"

As for video I have not seen any problems from any of our KVM's. I fact we have not had any problems with any of our KVM's

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[Tailgunner]

I'm using a 2 port Belkin KVM for the systems here at my desk. I do ocasionally get the "missing mouse" issue, but I don't have any video problems with it. On the mouse issue, all I do when it happens is quickly unplug and replug the mouse.

[Searcher7]

I'm using a 2 port Belkin KVM for the systems here at my desk. I do ocasionally get the "missing mouse" issue, but I don't have any video problems with it. On the mouse issue, all I do when it happens is quickly unplug and replug the mouse.

Perhaps it depends on the operating system you are using. If I unplug and replug the mouse, I'd definitely have to reboot to get it back.(And that is without the KVM).

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[Edgedamage]

Hmm strange in one of our video conversion suites we are using a 4 port belkin omni cube with three comps #1 is running win2k server  #2 win98se #3 win95 and we cycle through the comps almost non-stop and have never lost control of the mouse. Also at the end of the last shift we put the KVM to port #4 where no comp is connected and just leave it there untill the next shift.

[Tailgunner]

Perhaps it depends on the operating system you are using. If I unplug and replug the mouse, I'd definitely have to reboot to get it back.(And that is without the KVM).

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

XP on one box, 98se on the other. According to the KVM docs it will fool any system into thinking both keyboard and mouse are attached, whether or not a physical keyboard or mouse is actually attached to it. The docs for it mentioned the mouse issue, and hot re-plugging was their solution. Note my KVM is a $50 model with the cables molded in, not one of Belkin's Omni series.

Without the KVM I'd agree about having to reboot, the only exception would be a USB mouse.

[Edgedamage]

Having to upgrade my sister-inlaws comp this weekend I got to borrow a spare KVM. I have never had any problems with Cybex.

[Edgedamage]

Bottom view.

[Searcher7]

Before it died on me completely, the one I was using was a Belkin Omni Cube 2-port(F1D092).

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.