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.