Cisco-Linksys SVIEW04 ProConnnect 4-station CPU KVM Switch

by Cisco

Product Details

Product Manual [125kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 3 x 7 inches ; 3.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004Z87D
• Item model number: SVIEW04
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 13, 2001

Product Description

Linksys ProConnect CPU Switch SVIEW04 - Monitor/keyboard/mouse switch - 4 ports

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Low tech hardware savings plan, December 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys SVIEW04 ProConnnect 4-station CPU KVM Switch (Personal Computers)

Linksys provides one of the best, versatile, and easy to use console switches on the market. I've used others that cost less, but broke only weeks later. The first one I got 3 years ago is still working.
This is an easy way to share a monitor, keyboard, and mouse with multiple CPUs. The device allows either keyboard enabled or hardware buttons to switch between systems. New systems can be added without creating new problems. Just plug and play.
Worth the price.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bad video for me too, February 8, 2006

By 

Earl F. Hale - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys SVIEW04 ProConnnect 4-station CPU KVM Switch (Personal Computers)

I replaced a Belkin Omniview KVM with this Linksys SVIEW04. And like others who have submitted reviews I too experienced poor video quality using the same cables that produced good quality video with the Belkin. In general there is text ghosting. Another way of describing it is that text has shadows. Quality varies with the application. With my MVS Host emulation app the text is barely readable. The other issue I have with swith is the lack of a simple to use hotkey that switches between only active PC's. But I would keep it if it weren't for the video quality.

5.0 out of 5 stars Behaves Well, Great for Expansion, and the Video Quality is Just Fine, December 13, 2007

By 

NilZilch (Mid Atlantic) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys SVIEW04 ProConnnect 4-station CPU KVM Switch (Personal Computers)

I didn't think I would need so many ports; but as things go on, I now have two of these, and I'm considering a third. Fortunately, connecting one to the other (two stage chaining) works quite well.

I haven't noticed any problems with video quality, but my expectations aren't that high. As I currently have it, the second stage chained KVM is only switching the lower performing systems that I have. Perhaps, the video quality issue would be more apparent if I were to connect to it a better performing system. But, I'll have to try that another time. Anyway, cable quality and routing is likely to be just as significant.

By the way, KVM cables are heavy; and regardless of how well this box stays on its feet, you'll want some manner of cable management to keep things in place. And, that goes for pretty much any KVM.

I had spent a few hundred dollars on KVM's before I found the SVIEW04. The search had started when I became frustrated with the weird behavior of a Belkin KVM. Others that I'd tried had keyboard shortcuts that conflicted with program shortcuts and couldn't be disabled. I prefer using the switches on the KVM front panel, so I configure the SVIEW04 with the least possible shortcut keys. So, I've never had the SVIEW04 switch to another system in the midst of some complex keyboard interaction.

I also like the relatively professional feel of the case. The basic rectangle might not be all that popular in an office or living room setting, which isn't really where these thing end up, but the case does lend itself to a variety of mounting arrangements. And, if you're going to have more than one, stacking is a good thing.

I'm surprised that other KVM manufacturers seem to have such a poor understanding of this market. These things are for power users and techies; dip-switches and flat rectangular boxes are a good thing. We don't want an egg-shapped KVM or some other organic looking thing; we want control central, where functionality rules. Anyway, Linksys did a fine job of making a basic rectangular box look presentable. That is, I think it looks just fine (and yes dear, I'll never put it in the living room).