Belkin 2PORT KVM WITH AUDIO ( F1DL102U )

Rating:
Summary: Avoid, avoid, avoid!
Review: I don't think the other person who reviewed this model was talking about the right model. This one doesn't have auxiliary USB ports (just 2 for keyboard and mouse), nor does it require an AC adapter. That notwithstanding, I have almost nothing good to say about this switch.

1) Design: This is set up so that the input connectors go in one side, and the output cables go out the opposite side. Most USB switches have all the input and output on one side or two adjacent sides to decrease the obtrusiveness of the switch on your desk. Not this one. The design wizards who put this one together made sure it would be as awkward as possible. Because there are cables pulling from opposite ends, the switch stands up on its side and I have to yank it down every time I want to push the button. Which may be a contributing factor in problem #2.
2) Doesn't seem to have keyboard/mouse emulation. Every time I have to reboot one of the 2 computers connected to this switch, the switch will no longer "stick" on that computer. It will switch over for about 4 seconds, the mouse and keyboard never activate, and then it switches back to the other computer. It may just be that one of the 2 output cables is defective. At any rate, the only fix I've found is to switch the output cables between the 2 computers. Then they'll both work until I reboot one of them again. That sort of defeats the purpose of having a switch. If I wanted to switch peripherals every time I rebooted, I would have just kept doing that instead of wasting money on this junk.

The one thing I do like about this switch is that you can plug your speakers into the switch and use the audio on both computers. However, there are other brands of USB switches that have that feature...and I'll be out shopping for one today

I only gave this one star because zero is not an option.

Rating:
Summary: finally got it to work
Review: I finally got this KVM switch to work -- but it has some serious design flaws:
1. the KVM's compact design doesn't accomodate cords easily. The DVI cable from my monitor was a little larger than the design of the switch so it had to be scrunched -- scary -- into place. What's worse the supplied power adaptor cable COVERs one of the auxiliary USB ports -- so you end up with just a single functional auxiliary USB.
2. You still have the two USB ports for the shared mouse and keyboard. But guess what, the keyboard USB port only works with SOME USB keyboards. My Kinesis keyboard failed to work with the switch, which beeps endlessly until you plug a "proper" keyboard into it. Tech support told me that the switch doesn't work with all keyboards including the new USB keyboard supplied with the G5 Mac computer. The only solution I found was to plug another USB keyboard I had into the keyboard port, and then plug my kinesis keyboard into the remaining auxiliary USB port. Now I have NO auxiliary USB ports.
3. Belkin also sells DVI cables with USB and audio cables for this product. But the DVI cable doesn't match the DVI port on one of my computers -- tech support said there's a lot of different DVI connectors. In fact I was told that the switch wouldn't work with my DVI connector, so I was out of luck. Fortunately, I didn't believe him, so I just bought another DVI cable -- and it worked

Once I had it working -- it did what it promised. Switched keyboard, mouse and audio between two computers -- but not after a lot of work, inconvenience (I have this extra keyboard that has to always remain plugged in) and extra cash for new DVI cable

Rating:
Summary: Not up to Belkin standards
Review: OK, I own many Belkin products. Up until now, they have not let me down. I would recommend just about anything made by Belkin. Anything but a KVM switch, that is.

Does it work? Yes, but it has some MAJOR drawbacks:

1) Not compatible with all USB keyboards

2) Locks up occasionally, requiring you to disconnect it from all computers

3) Periodically switches your monitor off (standby) for no apparent reason

4) Causes degradation of video signal

For one, the only way you will know is to try it with your USB keyboard. But at about fifty bucks a pop for this KVM, that's an expensive experiment.

For two, this is supposed to be a KVM switch. If you need to disconnect it and reconnect it periodically, what's the point of even having a KVM switch?

For three . . . don't know what to say on this one except that it's very annoying.

Also, the picture displayed on my NEC LCD1760V 17" LCD monitor is distorted when using this KVM. It's not terribly distorted (so I know all the hardware is working AS DESIGNED), but it is noticeably distorted. Basically, if you pass video through this Belkin KVM switch, the video is darker and blurry. Bright white colors take on a slightly gray tinge and text is harder to read than it should be. It's almost like this KVM causes your monitor to lose some contrast. Yes, all cables are properly and FIRMLY connected. This isn't a hardware problem or a connection problem, it is a design problem. I suspect the cables used on this KVM are inferior quality, which is possibly what is causing the video degradation.

I think this one is a waste of money. Normally, Belkin makes great products, so I was REALLY disappointed with this KVM.