SonicDragon Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 I'm thinking about buying a monitor switcher thingamajig. Ya know? Sort of like a KVM switch, but it only does the monitors?I want two computers to share one monitor, so i can switch back and forth between the two. However, i don't know what this thing is actually called I think the summer heat is getting to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross549 Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 It is called a whatchamacallit. A KVM can do just monitors.... Does not require a keyboard or mouse to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicDragon Posted June 24, 2004 Author Share Posted June 24, 2004 A KVM can do just monitors.... Does not require a keyboard or mouse to work.Humm, i may have to do that. I sort of want to avoid paying for one that does everything though. Although, i still haven't even really looked at prices. they may not be too bad. I have one at work that does just monitors though, so i know they are out there.I may just buy another monitor lol. The deal is that i'm looking to get a new computer soon. I still haven't quite decided on what i'm doing yet, i'm still trying to explore options. Right now, the G5 is winning, and i can afford a relatively nice headless one, but as soon as i add a monitor (their 17" flat screen), i'm way over budget. So, i think i might have to settle with a smaller pc monitor that's not as nice, though i'd really love a 17" flat screen (what i have on this computer now). Or... maybe i'll just have to bite the bullet and find the extra cash... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross549 Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 KVM's go fairly cheap on fleabay. Check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greengeek Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 I've got a monitor thingamajig, it's called a monitor (or video) switch box. Can't remember the cost but it wasn't much and was cheaper than a KVM at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus K Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 Pretty cheap:http://www.cablesnmor.com/monitor-switch-box.htmlhttp://www.rainbowkits.com/boxes.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_P Posted June 24, 2004 Share Posted June 24, 2004 I had a manual KVM switch that got to sometimes loosing sync when switching. I'd end up with two pcs and no way to input to either of them. It got to be a pain. I now have an IOGEAR electronic one which is much more stable. And I think it was only $29. If you can find an electronic one for just monitor switching that would be my recommendation.A few years ago KVM switches were over $120 but not now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicDragon Posted June 24, 2004 Author Share Posted June 24, 2004 http://www.cablesnmor.com/monitor-switch-box.htmlThat is the exact one i use at work :)EdP, i've also had problems with it before too. Really scared me one day when i couldn't get anything to show up on the monitor!Thanks everyone. I did some more looking around, and i think i just might buy a cheep CRT. The lowend 16-17 inch ones around only around $130 now. I figure i'll take this flat 17" in put it on the new one, and put the CRT on this one.Who knows. I still haven't really figured out what i'm doing yet. Just exploring options before i buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuzzButt Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Your best bet is a real KVM over a manual switch. A good KVM does not remove teh connection from the card so switching is not like hot plugging a monitor into the card everytime you want to see the other PC.I have a 2 PC Belkin that I used for years. I finally grabbed a 4 port version and have not loooked back since. Pick up the cable based version at the least. Mine is the full on 4 port with sound from Belkin. The 2 PC's I have connected currently are really only sharing the keyboard and the Monitor. Though one of the PC's has 2 monitors connected and 2 keyboards. With the KVM and a few USB devices the combinations are endless...Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross549 Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 I have a 2-port Raritan KVM that works nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicDragon Posted June 28, 2004 Author Share Posted June 28, 2004 Thanks for the recommendations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.