Author Topic: Two Computers One Monitor (Read 5293 times)

97thruhiker · « **on:** April 27, 2009, 11:18:29 pm »

Does anyone here know of a good monitor switch to run two pc's (pc and mac mini) off one monitor. I don't really need a kvm switch because I want to use a separate keyboard and mouse between them. I'm just looking for something that can switch the video from one to the other. Thanks.

Zero_Hour · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2009, 01:11:09 am »

Your best bet is probably to just get a cheap KVM switch and use your keyboard and mice separately as planned. We use dedicated Video switches where I work, and they are more expensive than most consumer grade 2-port KVMs.

SavannahLion · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2009, 02:11:37 am »

Conversely, some newer monitors do accept input from multiple PC's. Recently picked up an LCD that accepts an input from a DVI and VGA source. They don't necessarily have to be the same source.

The KVM is a bit of a workaround though. A KVM also redirects the keyboard/mouse input. I guess it'll work if you don't have to worry about the input from at least one of the keyboard/mouse not working about 1/2 the time and you have to remember which keyboard triggers the switch over.

True video switch boxes aren't too bad. They start at around $15 for the low end low resolution crap to around $50 for the low end better resolution crap and go up from there. Right about what one would expect for KVM's anyways.

shmokes · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2009, 02:23:37 am »

Quote from: SavannahLion on April 28, 2009, 02:11:37 am

I guess it'll work if you don't have to worry about the input from at least one of the keyboard/mouse not working about 1/2 the time and you have to remember which keyboard triggers the switch over.

This wouldn't be a problem for him as he wouldn't be running either keyboard/mouse through the KVM. He'd only run the monitors through the KVM and he would use the hardware buttons on the switch itself to switch between video signals. In other words, he would be using it in exactly the same way he would use a dedicated video switch.

SavannahLion · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2009, 02:37:12 am »

Not all KVM's come with buttons though. All the four+ port ones I've ever picked up comes with hard switches, but some of those two port models seem to be hit and miss on that.

shmokes · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2009, 02:58:15 am »

Yeah, I've seen those . . . that's something to keep in mind for sure. By far the majority have hard buttons/switches on them, though, so it's getting one that will serve his purposes won't be difficult.

missioncontrol · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2009, 08:43:36 am »

what inputs does your monitor allow? You may be able to toggle between inputs on you monitor VGA for one, DVI for the other...

saint · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:09:35 am »

I do exactly that at home. Server is connected to the monitor via VGA, my regular PC is connected via DVI. Toggling between them is just a button press on the front of the monitor.

You can also setup VNC if you want and just remote into the other machine.

97thruhiker · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2009, 10:07:23 am »

Thanks for all of the responses. I try not to put to much into "online reviews" like what you see on Newegg and so forth but man its totally jekyll and hyde when looking at the reviews for KVM switches. Its hard to determine what to go with, especially with prices from $10 to over a $1000. I really want to use the Mac keyboard with the mini and my satiek board with my pc so anything with a key switch is out.

I havn't bought a monitor yet but I'm looking in the 22 to 24 inch range. I'm really interested in what Saint has to say about dual input on a single monitor. That appears to be the route I think I might go since I'm in the market for a monitor now. Any advice on a monitor that can do this? Can any monitor with two inputs do this (dvi and vga, dual dvi)? I've done a little research on this but my searches always end up with kvm results. Thanks again, you guys always provide good answers to questions here.

shmokes · « **Reply #9 on:** April 28, 2009, 10:15:54 am »

FWIW I have two Dell monitors and they both work that way.

Hoopz · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2009, 10:17:35 am »

Quote from: shmokes on April 28, 2009, 10:15:54 am

FWIW I have two Dell monitors and they both work that way.

I have a Gateway and Samsung and they do the same thing. Just look at the specs to see the input connections for the ones you're looking at.

HaRuMaN · « **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2009, 11:06:01 am »

Quote from: shmokes on April 28, 2009, 10:15:54 am

FWIW I have two Dell monitors and they both work that way.

I have a ViewSonic and it works that way.

Ummon · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2009, 03:56:11 pm »

Are we talking LCD or CRT in general here above? Mine's a Dell (Sony) Trinitron CRT that has two inputs.

shmokes · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2009, 04:53:38 pm »

He is considering buying a new monitor, so it's probably safe to say we are not talking about CRT.

97thruhiker · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2009, 07:17:25 pm »

I'm feeling pretty dumb now that I look at my four year old dell monitor that has a hot switch right on the front panel that switches it from vga to dvi. I've known its had both connections but did not realize you could switch between the two. I always thought that it just defaulted to whatever was plugged in locking the other out.

With that said any issues having two computers plugged in at the same time and on? As for the monitor I'm currently looking at an Asus 24 inch LCD.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049

Seems to have good reviews, vga, dvi, and hdmi connectors and has the hotswitch on the front panel. I downloaded the instructions and mentions switching between video sources but does not say anything about both sources being on at the same time causing a conflict. Anyone have any experience with this monitor?

saint · « **Reply #15 on:** April 28, 2009, 08:55:14 pm »

Both systems on at the same time on a single monitor = no problems whatsoever

97thruhiker · « **Reply #16 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:12:06 pm »

Quote from: saint on April 28, 2009, 08:55:14 pm

Both systems on at the same time on a single monitor = no problems whatsoever

Good to hear.

Silas (son of Silas) · « **Reply #17 on:** April 29, 2009, 12:26:01 pm »

Depending on what you want to use the machines for, you could consider doing it via software? I have a few PCs on my LAN running Linux and Windows (no Macs yet) and I only have one monitor. I connect to them all using VNC from my laptop (thats the PC with the monitor) all the rest don't have mice, keyboards or monitors.

Malenko · « **Reply #18 on:** April 29, 2009, 11:25:54 pm »

Two Computers One Monitor ...............................
ironically enough, thats hotter then 2 girls 1 cup

Ummon · « **Reply #19 on:** April 30, 2009, 04:42:40 pm »

Quote from: 97thruhiker on April 28, 2009, 07:17:25 pm

I'm feeling pretty dumb now that I look at my four year old dell monitor that has a hot switch right on the front panel that switches it from vga to dvi. I've known its had both connections but did not realize you could switch between the two. I always thought that it just defaulted to whatever was plugged in locking the other out.

Pays to play with stuff, and look up its specs.

97thruhiker · « **Reply #20 on:** April 30, 2009, 05:56:54 pm »

Quote from: Ummon on April 30, 2009, 04:42:40 pm

Quote from: 97thruhiker on April 28, 2009, 07:17:25 pm
I'm feeling pretty dumb now that I look at my four year old dell monitor that has a hot switch right on the front panel that switches it from vga to dvi. I've known its had both connections but did not realize you could switch between the two. I always thought that it just defaulted to whatever was plugged in locking the other out.

Pays to play with stuff, and look up its specs.

True, I've hit the button before and it took me to a color test screen. Never thought much about it but now realize its displaying that screen because there is nothing hooked into the vga slot. Never needed connections for two computers until now so I guess I'm glad it was figured out.

RayB · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2009, 12:02:07 pm »

I came to this thread expecting the geek equivalent to 2 Girls 1 Cup !

97thruhiker · « **Reply #22 on:** May 05, 2009, 10:40:49 pm »

Quote from: RayB on May 05, 2009, 12:02:07 pm

I came to this thread expecting the geek equivalent to 2 Girls 1 Cup !

I have a feeling your not alone in that assumption.

Ummon · « **Reply #23 on:** May 06, 2009, 05:29:17 pm »

<blinks.....>

RayB · « **Reply #24 on:** May 07, 2009, 01:57:59 am »

LOL, Malenko already beat me to the punch-line. (I gotta start READING threads I post in!)

Blanka · « **Reply #25 on:** May 07, 2009, 10:47:07 am »

Indeed, let the monitor take care of it.
If you want the coolest, grab an Eizo SX3031W.
That one also handles 2 sources side by side

Ummon · « **Reply #26 on:** May 08, 2009, 06:26:45 pm »

Quote from: Blanka on May 07, 2009, 10:47:07 am

Indeed, let the monitor take care of it.
If you want the coolest, grab an Eizo SX3031W.
That one also handles 2 sources side by side

Aiiyyy, if you have a few grand.

richms · « **Reply #27 on:** May 11, 2009, 09:24:39 am »

I tried this with a KVM, only to find it was powered from the computers so no keyboard connection meant no power meant no work... Got a manual one instead but it messed up the video heaps. So moved one of the computers to another desk


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