USB KVM

Can anyone recommend a USB KVM that works with RISC OS?
I need to share a USB keyboard & mouse between a PandaBoard and a PC.

The video side doesn’t really matter, as my monitor has two inputs, I just need to save some desk space, and save having two keyboards & mice!

Audio is also taken care of, as my speakers have two inputs.

I need to share a USB keyboard & mouse between a PandaBoard and a PC.

I just use Andrew Sellors’ RDPClient to do this. It’s a bit complicated to set up initially, but works well. Won’t work well if you want to keep a separate PC video output, but does if you’re prepared to run the Windows PC in a window or fullscreen over the top of RISC OS.

I use this http://www.ldlc.com/fiche/PB00158689.html without problem. Exists also for 4 computers. http://www.ldlc.com/fiche/PB00158690.html.

I’ve found one of these at work – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aten-CS22U-2-Port-Cable-Switch/dp/B002NTIZCG
I’ll ignore the VGA and just connect the USB, I’ll update this thread once I’ve tested it.

I’ve got a Pi and Win7/64 PC sharing monitor/keyboard/mouse via a CJE Micros-supplied Rextron DAG12 DVI KVM which switches video, keyboard and mouse input between the computers with a single keypress. An HDMI-DVI converter cable is also required to handle the Pi’s input – not sure if the Pandaboard is HDMI-only as well. I’m very happy with this setup.

It seems bizarre that a USB switch (even a 2 port switch with a built-in 4 port hub) is cheap, and an HDMI switch is cheap; but put them together and they are all expensive.

I’m only interested in HDMI switching because I’m swapping between the BBxM and a Raspberry Pi, using a monitor with DVI-I input. It would cost substantially more to convert to analogue, and would degrade the signal in the process.

Currently I have a cheap HDMI 3 port switch (eBay), a 2 port mechanical USB switch and a separate 3 port USB hub, but as a result of this thread I’ve just ordered a 2 port USB switch with built in 4 port hub, comfortably under a tenner, from Kenable via eBay. It should reduce 3 boxes to 2 and make the desk a tad less untidy. Not that my wife will notice the improvement, I’m sure.

but put them together and they are all expensive.

Pricing never makes sense. I can’t get over the fact that my HDMI→VGA dongle costs less than a McMeal (with some extras), and the cable cost more than that… ;-)

Pricing never makes sense. I can’t get over the fact that my HDMI→VGA dongle costs less than a McMeal (with some extras)

Yeah, but what would it cost if it included food?

I use a Belkin Omniview Pro 8-port which has the advantage of being a universal USB-PS2 switch. Great to integrate old stuff like Risc PCs, A7000s, A9homes and Omegas.

Drawbacks: uses quite a lot of power, keyboard and mouse are PS2 only (and the sockets are close to each other, so you cannot connect two of the typical USB-PS2 adaptors at once), cabling is very expensive if you need the analogue video, video quality is not very good at high resolutions.

The Aten CS22U USB KVM works! (I’m not using the VGA inputs though) I’m simply using it as a USB switch.

I’ve got more desk space for programming manuals now! :D