So, further to my previous post about extending the life of a PS/2 KVM switch, I have spent the day trying to learn about 4 port USB KVM switches.

One question I have is that some switches have VGA ports. Other switches advertise themselves as "DVI" switches and still others as HDMI switches.

I understand that VGA is an analog signal, but in order to enjoy High Definition videos on my monitor, I have to go with a digital signal which is either DVI or HDMI.

Are there such things as DVI and HDMI monitors? Will a DVI KVM switch provide as good picture quality on a DVI montior as a HDMI KVM switch would provide on an HDMI monitor when watching a High Definition video?

I have a VGA CRT monitor now. If I buy either a DVI or HDMI KVM switch, do I also need to buy a new DVI or HDMI monitor?

I understand that HDMI is "High Definition". Is DVI also a high definition video signal and if I buy a DVI KVM switch can I use it with a HDMI monitor? I expect that for typing in a word processor or using a spread sheet, I wouldn't see any difference between VGA, DVI and HDMI, but I'm thinking that if I watch high definition movies I will, and I want that option to be open to me.

I don't know if I'm confused or what, but some one told me about "DVI-I", which apparantly can be used with any monitor because it supports both VGA and DVI, and I was told that if I have a DVI KVM switch I can use a DVI to HDMI cable to connect it to a HDMI monitor. If I did that, would the picture be as clear and crips as if I had a HDMI KVM switch and HDMI monitor?

Finally, this KVM switch advertises itself as a DVI KVM switch:

StarTech 2 Port USB DVI KVM Switch Kit w/ Cables USB 2.0 Hub & Audio at Memory Express

But in the specifications on that web page, it says that it supports both analog and digital resolutions. It says:

Designed for high-resolution applications: 1920 x 1200 digital resolution and 2048 x 1536 analog resolution
HDCP Compliant


Does that mean that I can use any monitor with it? I'm hoping I can use this KVM switch with my existing VGA CRT monitor, and then just buy a DVI to HDMI cable in the future when I upgrade to an HDMI monitor?

Any and all help sorting through this jungle of technical acronyms will be appreciated.

On Wed, 8 Jan 2014 03:17:11 +0100, nestork
wrote:


So, further to my previous post about extending the life of a PS/2 KVM
switch, I have spent the day trying to learn about 4 port USB KVM
switches.

Before you spend the money for the cables and switch, you think you
could use something like this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synergy_(software)

I currently use TeamViewer to share two computers, but I have
considered trying synergy.

One question I have is that some switches have VGA ports. Other
switches advertise themselves as "DVI" switches and still others as HDMI
switches.

I understand that VGA is an analog signal, but in order to enjoy High
Definition videos on my monitor, I have to go with a digital signal
which is either DVI or HDMI.

Are there such things as DVI and HDMI monitors? Will a DVI KVM switch
provide as good picture quality on a DVI montior as a HDMI KVM switch
would provide on an HDMI monitor when watching a High Definition video?

I have a VGA CRT monitor now. If I buy either a DVI or HDMI KVM switch,
do I also need to buy a new DVI or HDMI monitor?

I understand that HDMI is "High Definition". Is DVI also a high
definition video signal and if I buy a DVI KVM switch can I use it with
a HDMI monitor? I expect that for typing in a word processor or using a
spread sheet, I wouldn't see any difference between VGA, DVI and HDMI,
but I'm thinking that if I watch high definition movies I will, and I
want that option to be open to me.

I don't know if I'm confused or what, but some one told me about
"DVI-I", which apparantly can be used with any monitor because it
supports both VGA and DVI, and I was told that if I have a DVI KVM
switch I can use a DVI to HDMI cable to connect it to a HDMI monitor.
If I did that, would the picture be as clear and crips as if I had a
HDMI KVM switch and HDMI monitor?

Finally, this KVM switch advertises itself as a DVI KVM switch:

'StarTech 2 Port USB DVI KVM Switch Kit w/ Cables USB 2.0 Hub & Audio at
Memory Express' (http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX21199)

But in the specifications on that web page, it says that it supports
both analog and digital resolutions. It says:

Designed for high-resolution applications: 1920 x 1200 digital
resolution and 2048 x 1536 analog resolution
HDCP Compliant


Does that mean that I can use any monitor with it? I'm hoping I can use
this KVM switch with my existing VGA CRT monitor, and then just buy a
DVI to HDMI cable in the future when I upgrade to an HDMI monitor?

Any and all help sorting through this jungle of technical acronyms will
be appreciated.

On 01/07/2014 08:17 PM, nestork wrote:
So, further to my previous post about extending the life of a PS/2 KVM
switch, I have spent the day trying to learn about 4 port USB KVM
switches.

One question I have is that some switches have VGA ports. Other
switches advertise themselves as "DVI" switches and still others as HDMI
switches.

I understand that VGA is an analog signal, but in order to enjoy High
Definition videos on my monitor, I have to go with a digital signal
which is either DVI or HDMI.

X

You may want to have a look at your monitor's input, many monitors give
you several possibilities.

I have used both vga and dvi and honestly could not tell the difference.

I am sure there is one though.



http://www.diffen.com/difference/DVI_vs_VGA

nestork wrote:
So, further to my previous post about extending the life of a PS/2 KVM
switch, I have spent the day trying to learn about 4 port USB KVM
switches.

One question I have is that some switches have VGA ports. Other
switches advertise themselves as "DVI" switches and still others as HDMI
switches.

I understand that VGA is an analog signal, but in order to enjoy High
Definition videos on my monitor, I have to go with a digital signal
which is either DVI or HDMI.

Are there such things as DVI and HDMI monitors? Will a DVI KVM switch
provide as good picture quality on a DVI montior as a HDMI KVM switch
would provide on an HDMI monitor when watching a High Definition video?

I have a VGA CRT monitor now. If I buy either a DVI or HDMI KVM switch,
do I also need to buy a new DVI or HDMI monitor?

I understand that HDMI is "High Definition". Is DVI also a high
definition video signal and if I buy a DVI KVM switch can I use it with
a HDMI monitor? I expect that for typing in a word processor or using a
spread sheet, I wouldn't see any difference between VGA, DVI and HDMI,
but I'm thinking that if I watch high definition movies I will, and I
want that option to be open to me.

I don't know if I'm confused or what, but some one told me about
"DVI-I", which apparantly can be used with any monitor because it
supports both VGA and DVI, and I was told that if I have a DVI KVM
switch I can use a DVI to HDMI cable to connect it to a HDMI monitor.
If I did that, would the picture be as clear and crips as if I had a
HDMI KVM switch and HDMI monitor?

Finally, this KVM switch advertises itself as a DVI KVM switch:

'StarTech 2 Port USB DVI KVM Switch Kit w/ Cables USB 2.0 Hub & Audio at
Memory Express' (http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX21199)

But in the specifications on that web page, it says that it supports
both analog and digital resolutions. It says:

Designed for high-resolution applications: 1920 x 1200 digital
resolution and 2048 x 1536 analog resolution
HDCP Compliant


Does that mean that I can use any monitor with it? I'm hoping I can use
this KVM switch with my existing VGA CRT monitor, and then just buy a
DVI to HDMI cable in the future when I upgrade to an HDMI monitor?

Any and all help sorting through this jungle of technical acronyms will
be appreciated.




Hi,
DVI is HD video connector only. HDMI is HD video and carries digital
audio as well. Plus it can carry Ethernet cable signal, USB interface,
etc. You can buy DVIHDMI convertor plug. DVI gave a way to HDMI when
Sony invented it.

On Wed, 8 Jan 2014 03:17:11 +0100, nestork
wrote:


So, further to my previous post about extending the life of a PS/2 KVM
switch, I have spent the day trying to learn about 4 port USB KVM
switches.

One question I have is that some switches have VGA ports. Other
switches advertise themselves as "DVI" switches and still others as HDMI
switches.

I understand that VGA is an analog signal, but in order to enjoy High
Definition videos on my monitor, I have to go with a digital signal
which is either DVI or HDMI.

Are there such things as DVI and HDMI monitors? Will a DVI KVM switch
provide as good picture quality on a DVI montior as a HDMI KVM switch
would provide on an HDMI monitor when watching a High Definition video?

Yes, there are both DVI and HDMI monitors. DVI is virtually
"standard" now.

I have a VGA CRT monitor now. If I buy either a DVI or HDMI KVM switch,
do I also need to buy a new DVI or HDMI monitor?

Yes, unless, like some, the switch can convert VGA to DVI or vise
versa.

I understand that HDMI is "High Definition". Is DVI also a high
definition video signal and if I buy a DVI KVM switch can I use it with
a HDMI monitor?

Not without a converter
I expect that for typing in a word processor or using a
spread sheet, I wouldn't see any difference between VGA, DVI and HDMI,
but I'm thinking that if I watch high definition movies I will, and I
want that option to be open to me.

I don't know if I'm confused or what, but some one told me about
"DVI-I", which apparantly can be used with any monitor because it
supports both VGA and DVI, and I was told that if I have a DVI KVM
switch I can use a DVI to HDMI cable to connect it to a HDMI monitor.
If I did that, would the picture be as clear and crips as if I had a
HDMI KVM switch and HDMI monitor?

Finally, this KVM switch advertises itself as a DVI KVM switch:

'StarTech 2 Port USB DVI KVM Switch Kit w/ Cables USB 2.0 Hub & Audio at
Memory Express' (http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX21199)

But in the specifications on that web page, it says that it supports
both analog and digital resolutions. It says:

Designed for high-resolution applications: 1920 x 1200 digital
resolution and 2048 x 1536 analog resolution
HDCP Compliant


Does that mean that I can use any monitor with it? I'm hoping I can use
this KVM switch with my existing VGA CRT monitor, and then just buy a
DVI to HDMI cable in the future when I upgrade to an HDMI monitor?

Any and all help sorting through this jungle of technical acronyms will
be appreciated.

philo wrote:
On 01/07/2014 08:17 PM, nestork wrote:
So, further to my previous post about extending the life of a PS/2 KVM
switch, I have spent the day trying to learn about 4 port USB KVM
switches.

One question I have is that some switches have VGA ports. Other
switches advertise themselves as "DVI" switches and still others as HDMI
switches.

I understand that VGA is an analog signal, but in order to enjoy High
Definition videos on my monitor, I have to go with a digital signal
which is either DVI or HDMI.

X

You may want to have a look at your monitor's input, many monitors give
you several possibilities.

I have used both vga and dvi and honestly could not tell the difference.

I am sure there is one though.



http://www.diffen.com/difference/DVI_vs_VGA

Hi,
DVI is only HD digital video signal connector. HDMI can carry HD digital
video and audio, Ethernet signal like CAT5 cable and USB signal.
If you use DVI, then you have to arrange to have digital audio cable by
either optical or digital coax to go with DVI. DVI is going away since
Sony invented HDMI.(now going towards version 1.5 specs.) Some monitors
or video/audio card has DVI and or HDMI connectors and even VGA one.
There is analog HD video cables called component video with 3 cable set.
There iss aalos DVIHDMI, DVIVGA converter plug. As much as posible
you should
gear for HDMI. HDMI cable has 19 wires. Buy a good high speed cables.
No question digital format provides superior quality video/audio.

Thanks for all of the responses.

Upon further reading, I'm hearing that another format called "Display Port" is expected to replace HDMI. I'm noting that many of the companies that make KVM switches are now also making them with Display Port audiovideo output ports.

DisplayPort KVM Switch - 2 Port, USB 2.0 High Resolution KVM Switch | Mac | PC | StarTech.com Canada

ADDERView 4 PRO DisplayPort | Adder Technology

ServSwitch DT KVM Switch DisplayPort with USB and Audio, 4-Port - KV9704A - Shop now - Black Box

The problem is that neither of my computers have Display Port ports on their video cards, and I've still got a VGA monitor. Basically, all of my computer equipment is circa 1995, so upgrading the KVM switch that connects everything to everything else means upgrading both computers and the monitor as well.

Right now is a very uncertain time to upgrade because there are multiple audiovideo formats that are all competing to become the dominant audiovideo format over the next several years.

I also looked at LCD monitors on Best Buy's web site and found that most of them supported VGA and either DVI or HDMI with one supporting all three. Several supported only DVI or HDMI. So, I can get a VGA LCD monitor in future if my old CRT craps out.

I'm thinking my safest course of action is the spend the least. I can buy a two port USB KVM switch with VGA output for $70. And if my CRT monitor craps out, I can buy a flat panel LCD monitor that supports VGA input for $100. That should be enough to carry me over for at least the next 5 years during which time one of the high definition digital resolution formats should become dominant and refurbished computers with that dominant high definition digital resolution output available for $189 or thereabouts. THEN, I'll know what KVM switch to buy.

Does this sound like a good game plan under the circumstances?

On Wed, 8 Jan 2014 07:52:17 +0100, nestork
wrote:


Thanks for all of the responses.

Upon further reading, I'm hearing that another format called "Display
Port" is expected to replace HDMI. I'm noting that many of the
companies that make KVM switches are now also making them with Display
Port audiovideo output ports.

'DisplayPort KVM Switch - 2 Port, USB 2.0 High Resolution KVM Switch |
Mac | PC | StarTech.com Canada' (http://tinyurl.com/nvxozmu)

'ADDERView 4 PRO DisplayPort | Adder Technology'
(http://www.adder.com/products/adderv...ro-displayport)

'ServSwitch DT KVM Switch DisplayPort with USB and Audio, 4-Port -
KV9704A - Shop now - Black Box' (http://tinyurl.com/pok5r5a)

The problem is that neither of my computers have Display Port ports on
their video cards, and I've still got a VGA monitor. Basically, all of
my computer equipment is circa 1995, so upgrading the KVM switch that
connects everything to everything else means upgrading everything.

I don't want to buy a DVI or HDMI KVM switch if those formats are going
to be obsolete in a few years, but I also don't want to buy two new
computers and a monitor because my existing equipment won't plug into
the new KVM switch because my existing computers do everything I need
them to do very well. The bottom line is that I've always found it
easiest and least expensive to be on the trailing edge of the technology
wave. A refurbished Pentium IV is all I need because I'm not a
power-gamer and I don't watch movies on my computer. My computer is
basically a typewriter / calculator / rolodex and the slowest thing in
the whole system is me. I just don't need the speed. PS/2 ports are
all I need, but they're going the way of the dinosaur.
I don't know what to do.

I can buy a two port USB KVM switch with VGA output for $25. Can I buy
a flat panel monitor that has a VGA port on it? That way, I can buy new
computers with USB ports, and any small flat panel monitor is all I
need.
Display Port caters to converter cables - you can run virtually ANY
format off of a display port output with the right cable.

On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 12:05:12 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tue, 07 Jan 2014 23:28:04 -0500, wrote:



Yes, unless, like some, the switch can convert VGA to DVI or vise

versa.



DVI to VGA is trivial, the converter is a couple bucks. Going the

other way is hundreds.

Digitizing an analog signal costs you.

I'd also wonder about "switching" an advanced digital interface, eg HDMI.
I'm sure it works fine if by switching you mean selecting one
monitor or the other at boot-up time. But I have to wonder what
happens if you try to switch say one monitor, TV, whatever, between
two computers that are running.... There is some protocol involved,
where the monitor and computer figure out what they are connected to.
If you disconnect one and connect another different one, will it
figure it out or does it need to re-boot, etc? IDK, but potentially
I would think there could be problems.

Per Metspitzer:
I currently use TeamViewer to share two computers, but I have
considered trying synergy.

What is it about TeamViewer that makes you look for an alternative?

I can think of at least one thing vis-a-vis TeamViewer's Android client,
but can't think of anything anybody can do better with PC-to-PC.... Am I
missing something?
--
Pete Cresswell

nestork writes:

I can buy a two port USB KVM switch with VGA output for $25. Can I buy
a flat panel monitor that has a VGA port on it? That way, I can buy new
computers with USB ports, and any small flat panel monitor is all I
need.

The flat panel I'm using now has VGA + DVI connectors.

There are news groups for PC hardware questions.

--
Dan Espen

On Wed, 08 Jan 2014 09:25:23 -0500, "(PeteCresswell)"
wrote:

Per Metspitzer:
I currently use TeamViewer to share two computers, but I have
considered trying synergy.

What is it about TeamViewer that makes you look for an alternative?

I can think of at least one thing vis-a-vis TeamViewer's Android client,
but can't think of anything anybody can do better with PC-to-PC.... Am I
missing something?

Well the thing that makes me want to try synergy is that sometimes I
wish I had one monitor for each computer. There is a very old game
that doesn't draw the screen fast enough when using TeamViewer. Since
it is just a minor thing, I don't worry about it. And that is why I
never bothered to try synergy.

The way I have my setup now is both monitors connected to the main
computer. I have no monitor, keyboard or mouse connected to the
second computer.

The advantage to that setup is that I can pull a video or a web page
to the second monitor. I watch Youtube videos on one monitor and web
surf on the other.