🔄 Switch It Up: Elevate Your Workspace Efficiency!
The StarTech.com 4-Port KVM Switch allows you to seamlessly share a keyboard, mouse, speakers, and a DVI display between four multimedia computers, making it ideal for high-resolution applications. With integrated audio support and a built-in USB hub, this 1U rack-mountable switch is designed for professionals who demand efficiency and performance.
F**A
Good KVM, one annoying issue..
I picked this up for my work desktop to replace another 4 port KVM. The older KVM I used had a lot of problems with being connected to a Mac computer and a PC at the same time. When both were connected, input on the Mac would be delayed and often lost making the KVM unusable.I have used other StarTech.com equipment in the past, and generally been happy with it, so I decided to give it a shot. The result, while not perfect, is miles away better than the older KVM that I had. I currently have the KVM connected to a home-build desktop PC, a current generation Mac mini, a Chromebox, and an older generation Mac mini. I have not had any problems with the input to any of those machines when using this KVM.One other problem my old KVM had that this one doesn't, is with the resolution on the monitor. When I booted a machine that wasn't the one selected on the KVM, the machine would usually end up with its resolution set to something low, like 800x600. So when I switched over to the machine, I had to muck around to get the resolution set right. With this StarTech, all of the machines boot to the 1080p resolution that the monitor supports, so I don't have to mess with settings to get it to look right. It just works. (And, IMHO, "It just works" is about the highest level of praise you can give a KVM.)That said, it isn't perfect. About 1 in 20-30 switches I end up in a weird state where the screen shows the right machine, but the keyboard and mouse don't seem to function. It also seems to happen more often when you switch quickly between devices. However, the vast majority of the time you can clear this up by switching to a different machine, making sure the keyboard and mouse are working there, and then switching back to the machine you want to work on. It is annoying (which is why I only gave this 4 stars), but it is tolerable.One thing for people that don't buy KVMs very often. This KVM does NOT come with the cables that you need to actually hook everything up. For most of the KVMs I have purchased and used in my life, this has been the case. So, make sure you either have cables, or order some. Also, be aware that the DVI ports on this KVM are VERY close together. So, when buying cables, make sure there isn't much extra material on the edges of the connector. If the plastic on the connector sticks out much beyond the edge of the screw connectors, it probably won't fit. My old KVM had connectors that had just a little bit of plastic beyond the screw terminals, and they barely fit. However, you would be hard pressed to fit a piece of paper between them. That is how snug they are.I also can't comment on how well the audio or 4 port hub works, as I have not used those. But, my Microsoft Natural 4000 keyboard, and my Logitech M510 (wireless) mouse work just fine with this KVM.Overall, I think this is a very solid KVM for the money.
B**A
Good one monitor switch. Earns five star rating from this seasoned KVM user.
I use this switch to handle a 3rd monitor that runs in conjunction with an excellent IO Gear Switch. I was skeptical of StarTech because I had owned a dual DVI switch of theirs that had much worse interference on shared audio then IOGEAR's professional switch did (albeit the IO Gear was over $120 more).At any rate, for a one monitor switch I find this does a great job. Like most switches, be careful about your mouse, most complex mice have issues but a tip I can give from being a many computer owner and user of many KVM (IOGEAR/ATEN/STARTECH) the USB Hub that comes with them will often handle your complex mouse, it's just the mouse port will not. Same for IOGear and ATEN . The hubs tend to handle a wireless super-type mouse, while the mouse port pukes on it.Also lets me add up to 4 USB hub devices to each machine via the USB hub, which is a nice feature. I like this switch, and the price was right. The FCC Guidelines that come with it (and knowing from using it prior) will put some interference on our audio ports UNLESS you put them on a difference POWER CIRCUIT (meaning fuse controlled outlet or breaker) than your KVM. There is no way around this and all KVM I Own have this failure, so you cannot knock them for this.BTW: Changing the circuit for the KVM does do the trick but not everyone can do this. In my computer lab I have 3 power circuits, so I was able to, and can, though I use the IO Gear for speakers on the three monitor setup I am using (The IOGEAR controls two of the monitors and the keyboard and mouse and the Starview controls I guess it could control another audio if I wanted, and I have some things into the USB hub). They are generous providing 4 USB hub ports, just don't do something like put a hub on them. Things like webcams, extra mice or wireless keyboards/mice, memory sticks, and such do well on there. You have up to four ports, All things total for the money you cannot beat this level of quality in a KVM (Trust me I know I have 3 KVM!) and one more that I do not use because I hate it (ironically it is another model Starview but not this one) Took a gamble on Starview with this one because I could not resist the price and I am happy with it. Kudos to them, and I think you'll like it too.
T**T
Works like I hoped. Has a 3 year warranty (parts & labor)
It works as I had hoped. I like the 4 mounting screw holes on each side. Ostensibly they are for mounting in a 19 inch rack, but I wanted to mount it underneath the desktop. So I made my own brackets and now I can slide it in and out under my desktop. That's a nice space saving idea. Why add to the clutter on the top of the desk?I didn't want it permanently mounted, cuz then it would be harder to get to the cables.The video switches first, followed by the usb ports (mouse, keyboard) after about a second or two.A lot faster than the usb switching of the Belkin that it replaced.As others have noted, it doesn't have a feature to remotely switch. And I was thinking that after the warranty runs out, I would hack into it and wire relays in parallel with the front panel switches in order to allow remote switching. But then I found out that it has a 3 YEAR WARRANTY (parts & labor). Wow! Now I have to rethink that strategy.And can you think of any other electronic products that have that long of a warranty without paying extra?They offer accessory brackets for 19 inch racks, but it would be nice if they also offered inexpensive plastic sliding brackets for mounting under the desktop.
I**Y
Works great, but one important caveat
Bought this KVM switch after my old one kept hanging and not wanting to work with DVI inputs. This one works fine, but one important caveat: The DVI input ports on the back are so close together that my cables would not fit. I had to file down the sides of the cables by one or two millimeters so they would fit in properly (luckily the cable ends are plastic, not metal). Otherwise it works fine. I don't care about audio, so I haven't tested that functionality.
R**S
Save your money!
I had 4 Win 7 Pro (64-bit) [now upgraded to Win 10] computers connected to the StarTech 4-port DVI USB KVM switch.This KVM looks good on paper, but unfortunately lacks in performance.As long as the computers are all awake, the switching among computers is usually fine. However, once a computer goes to sleep, accessibility becomes problematic. Indeed, if a computer is in the sleeping mode for an extended period of time, it will usually be unable to come out of it; the only way to reactivate it is with a cold boot using the power switch. Sometimes, when switching computer, the display gets messed up by switching to some unsupported resolution.Another annoying quirk is the frequent audio disconnections, each time triggering the Realtek Audio Manager to pop up.(The only time this switch is of any use is if you only have one computer on at a time, provided you're willing to put up with the audio disconnections.)I even went to the trouble and expense of purchasing StaTech's integrated cable systems, which did nothing to correct the problems. (While most other manufacturers include integrated cables, StarTech charges approx. $35 per computer.)I would have returned the item, but waited too long hoping that I might be able to solve the problems -- experimenting with various computers, setups, cables, etc.My advice... save your money and look for alternatives.
S**A
Good product
work well easy to set up.. my only disappointment is that there is no option for short key ( keyboard) swapping as in other KVM... but still very happy with it
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