Customer Reviews

IOGEAR 4-Port DVI KVMP Switch with Audio and 4-USB 2.0, DVI-D KVM Cables GCS1104 (Black)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The box is much heavier than I expected. To my surprise, most of the
volume and weight is cables. The actual switch is not the typical plastic
you get on consumer-grade equipment, and is stackable with little
rubber feet that fit into insets on a second (or third or fourth) unit.

Fit and finish is superior, although the unit I opened had one spot on the
rear edge where it looked like the paint was chipped in handling but
that is only noticed upon close inspection under reflected light.

Pushing all the buttons and connectors and everything is solid. Really nice.

Power is supplied by a cube, That cube is 5.3V at 2.4 amps for 13 watts.
That's like running a CFL all day, so you might want to power this off.
The DC end is an elbow, so it can swivel in front of the USB jack, or not.

There are four very heavy cables, about two meters in length. The
ends differ only in the USB form-factor, with one the square USB and the
other flat (for connection to the computer). There is no "main cable", as you
are expected to supply your own speakers, mic, keyboard, mouse, and monitor feed.
The audio plugs are color-coded purple and green and have nice caps attached in case you don't
wish to use them. The audio lines are molded to the main video cable cover
on the outside and on opposite sides of the video cable. This is nicely done,
since you have only a single cable in the middle and the cables split away
from the video about ten inches from the end. That would give almost 20"
of distance from video to audio outputs on the source computer. The switch end
has a shorter end split, but you really need very little there. The back portion of the
manual suggests if you have a VGA computer you will only use the USB and audio
portions of the supplied cables and you'll use your own VGA cable with a DVI adapter.

There is an Installation Guide that is printed in one of those tiny fonts and covers
multiple products. No surprises on the install at all.

Front panel LED's indicate whether a KVM device is there or has focus,
and separately whether the USB link has focus on the USB sharing bus.
Usage instructions tell how to switch KVM and audio separately if you so choose.

There are some unexplained things about AutoScan (which I assume to be USB related)
and a pretty extensive list of HotKey interactions. It will also do Mac and Sun
emulations from a PC keyboard. Not qutie sure I can keep all that in my head.
There are pages and pages to read here, and it really makes it clear why there are
so many comments in the reviews because people didn't get this part.

The one negative is the firmware looks to require Windows for its upgrade utility.

I added my MacMini Server in a few seconds, and things went well. A couple of keystrokes and my PC-oriented keyboard was doing Mac emulation. Adding my Ubuntu Linux box took a bit longer as it didn't seem to want to push the NVIDIA ION graphics through the switch, but eventually this resolved itself. Maybe they had to get acquainted or something, but it's working fine now. I have two more systems to add, and by then the cables off the back will probably need duck tape to hold them on the desk. Did anyone mention the supplied cables are massive? And heavy? Oh, yeah, I did.

So, now I'm happily switching back and forth from my real computers to my Mac and the audio keeps playing on my one great set of speakers and the USB devices are all there. So, this is my favorite buy in 2010 by a mile. Maybe I'll get a second for my other desk.

Ten thumbs up (if you've seen me type, you know I'm ten thumbs.)

I need digital only, no analog. But, I need high resolution for a big monitor. Some older DVI-D KVM switches do not work at 1920x1200 resolution. This one does. It is reliable and robust.

I am generally satisfied with this KVM. I'd just like to point out some bumps in the road that aren't obvious.

The first thing I had trouble with was that the computers were not recognizing the buttons on my Trackball Explorer when it was attached to the USB Mouse port of the KVM. It would work in one of the USB peripheral sharing ports and if I converted it to PS/2 and attached it to the PS/2 to USB converter I use for the keyboard. A reasonably prompt response from IOGear support with instructions on how to disable the mouse emulation got me working in the mouse port (essentially making it one of the peripheral sharing ports). However this means that all the computers see the mouse as being disconnected and reconnected as I switch away and come back. Mostly this is no more of annoyance than extra console and log messages.

I was replacing an IOGEAR MiniView Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch with Cables (GCS1734), which also has external power supply like this switch, but would run just fine off of USB power from any of the PCs if it's external power was switched off. So I was a bit surprised when I shut off the power supply that the new KVM shut down, too. Admittedly an assumption on my part, but something to watch out for if you're upgrading from similar equipment.

One ongoing complaint is that the KVM's firmware upgrade process is still dependent on having a Microsoft Windows PC, even though they make an unqualified claim of Mac, Sun, Unix and Linux support. And from what I can see from the documentation, there should be little technical reason for the restriction as the KVM appears to present itself as a USB mass storage device when in upgrade mode, which all modern OS can write to. Hardly something that needs a fancy GUI interface. However, I can verify that this KVM functions otherwise with Mac and FreeBSD, and hardware as old as an ABit AX5.

I purchased this product after checking out several reviews (many were not great, but the main complaints where ones that were common amongst all switches that have USB keyboard/mouse support, which is that the keyboard/mouse ports are designed for wired keyboards and mice that don't do anything exotic)

So to that point: This device was attractive because they include a front and rear, "regular" shareable USB 2.0 port; useful for plugging in and sharing a thumb drive or a printer. And in at least two cases of sour reviews on another site, the manufacturer responded indicating that this port should be used with wireless keyboards/mice (such as a Bluetooth or a Microsoft/Logitech wireless type). The idea is, since it's just a regular old USB port, they'll work fine as long as they're not plugged into the ports designed for a generic USB keyboard and mouse.

I thought, excellent! And as I'm writing this review, I find myself being forced, against my will, to pause. For some reason, the wireless dongle just stops picking up the signal of the keyboard or mouse when plugged into that port. What follows, to outside observers, is a comical mashing of keys and frantic mouse movement to "get it to work", and failing that, unplugging and replugging the receiver dongle. I've had this keyboard dongle plugged directly into the motherboard's USB ports, and indirectly via a (very old) USB 2.0 hub. It's *never* been flaky. It's one of the reasons I *love* my keyboard/mouse. I can use it 20 feet away and it works flawlessly. It's *highly* flaky with this KVM switch. Luckily, it's small, so I just remove it when I get too annoyed and plug directly into the devices I use (one is in another room, so I am forced to suffer with the poorly performing KVM when using that, but I rarely need terminal access to that device). I'm not sure if this is the case with all wireless mice/keyboards, as I don't have another to compare it with. I'm using the Microsoft Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard 7000. If you own one of these and want reliable keyboard and mouse performance, at least in my experience, it doesn't work well with this KVM.

This brings me to the second, and probably most irritating point. The DVI switching is equally flaky. Regularly when switching between devices, I will see artifacts blinking on the screen as though the connection is slightly off. Sometimes the monitor will go black and turn back on. Unplugging the switch (from power) and plugging it back in restores functionality. I thought that it might have something to do with my new monitor (an Asus ProArt), so I plugged in my old one just to test it out. I also tried a few different DVI cables that have all worked reliably for me without the switch. After a few transitions between devices, my 5 year old NEC monitor exhibited the same problem. There's nothing exotic about the way these devices were plugged in, and both used 1920x1200x60hz resolution. Because of the way the artifacts look, I have a concern that I may be sending a dirty signal and might reduce the life of my new display (I'm not sure of the inner workings of modern IPS LCD displays, but in the good old CRT days, you had to be careful when a display exhibited the symptoms that this one did when it was flaking out).

Finally, upgradable firmware is no answer when there's no firmware upgrades on their site. I'm not sure that this is a problem that can be solved with firmware, but one of the reasons I decided to purchase it was the promise that at least *some* problems might be fixable via a firmware upgrade. No product is flawless out of the gate, so I took this as a great feature. Maybe they'll fix it? Maybe it's something unique with my rig, or maybe this device is defective? I can accept those possibilities, but the fact that it's just "a little flaky" and others have left similar reviews on other sites, makes me lean to it just being a poor quality or very touchy product.

I recommend looking elsewhere. It's a shame. The price is great, and it comes with the cables. It's easy to install. It's would be very easy to use if it worked properly. It just ... doesn't.

We needed a 3 port KVM switch with DVI video and USB connections for the mouse and keyboard to share among one Windows-based and two Linux-based machines. Nobody seems to make 3-port KVM switches, so this one was a good compromise between capability and price.
Video quality is good, but the default hotkeys didn't switch right and often locked up the mouse and keyboard. An online chat with tech support pointed us at aan alternate set of keystrokes to switch KVM focus. Because we had one unused port, we end up using a more complex hotkey sequence [Ctrl][Ctrl] n [Enter] where n is the port number we want to switch to,

All in all this switch works pretty well. The supplied cables are a little longer than some I've seen, which is a real plus in our application because it gives a lot of flexibility in location of the computers and the switch.

We aren't switching audio or the auxiliary USB port, but not using these features does not seem to impact the operation of the switch.

To start, this thing feels like a KVM should feel. Metal construction, and it's heavy, picking it up, you're confident it will work.
Plug it in and give windows a few seconds to install drivers, and this things works flawlessly. I'm currently using it to switch between a Mac and a PC (Windows 7) and it works without a hitch. In fact, I kinda regret not buying a 4 port just in case, but as a college student, another computer isn't really in the budget. Finally a KVM that works (and will do 1920x1200). I would suggest this to anyone who is looking for a KVM product without the hassle of those cheap 'KVMs'. Buy this, you won't regret it.

I have been using Avocent DVI KVM's for several years, but every now and then a port would stop working out of the blue. worked with Avocent several times over the years trying new firmware, and actually went through 4 of their units. the keyboard on port 1 died recently, so I thought I would give someone else a try, so I got this IOgear unit through Amazon.

I have 4 PC's(2 Windows 7, 2 are XP), with a 24" 1920x1200 monitor. the switching is very fast, hot keys are customizable which I also like.

Now, a caveat. I learned with my first DVI KVM that none of them I have seen pass through all mouse signals. I use Logitech mice, and I like customizing my mouse buttons. So I actually have 4 mice, one for each PC(1 G9X for my gaming rig, and 3 Performance MX mice for the other 3 PC's), so I only run keyboard and monitor through this KVM switch-the mice are each attached directly to the PC's.

Just for grins, I did attach the USB receiver of one of my mice to the IO gear KVM, and enabled mouse emulation(also tried it with emulation disabled)....nothing, pointer would not even move! So, be leary of all DVI KVM's if you want to run your mice through them, and use highly customizable mice.

I hooked this up to three computers:

1. Port Replicator for an HP Laptop (DVI-D out)
2. Dell XPS 400 w/a GeForce 9800GT (DVI-I out)
3. A computer I built about 5 years ago (w/an FX 5200 video card, I believe). DVI-I out

I was a little worried about it since my Asus 24" widescreen monitor only (VW246H) takes in a DVI-D. But it works with all 3 computers with no problems. Switching is not an issue and my Iomega jump drive (USB 2.0) connects to the one I'm currently switched to with no problems.

Highly recommended.

Using the supplied DVI, audio, and USB connectors, I connected the GCS1102 to a Dell E6500 E/Dock and a Macintosh Mini. The monitor is a Dell 27" running a 1920 x 1200 resolution and the keyboard/mouse a Microsoft wireless keyboard 4000 and wireless mouse 5000. At first everything seems to work, but after the system runs for 20 to 40 minutes the monitor starts flashing off/on spontaneously and with increasing rapidity. This is likely a problem specific to this combination of hardware and the GCS1102; I was unable to find a solution and both computers work continuously fine when attached directly to the Dell 27" monitor. The GCS1102 seems to have nice features, but isn't useful when it doesn't work for the basic intended functionally. I also had difficulty accessing the device's configuration settings, until I plugged in a non-wireless board. Configuration is done by pressing/holding various sequences of keys; it would be nicer if configuration could be done through a friendly interface.

The unit is sturdy, well built and about as small as possible considering all that has to plug into it. But this Review is to provide some info you might not find elsewhere as far as compatibility. In use for 5 weeks now.
Keyboard:
Apple Alum Keyboard works fine. Using the designated USB port for KB.
Many complain that the Apple Alum KB won't work thru a KVM. Thru much research I learned that they are apparently power hungry and require KVM's that have their own Power Supply such as the GCS1104. Makes sense noting that the Apple Alum KB would NOT operate AT ALL thru an unpowered IOGear 2-Port MiniView Micro USB PLUS KVM Switch with Audio and Cables GCS632U
All special functions operate fine on the Macs. Of coarse none of the special Apple KB functions operate on a PC such as Play/pause, Vol, eject and so on. Interestingly the Inland model 71100 Keyboard for Mac, all special Mac KB functions operate the Macs in addition to the Vol/Mute controls working a PC also.
Mice:
My cordless V450 Logitech mouse works fine. Using the designated USB port for Mouse. I mention this because many of the reviews indicated people were having to use the Peripheral USB port to get cordless mice to work.
I did have to plug in an apple mighty mouse (which I detest) and reboot in order for Mac Mouse preferences to show configurable button options in order to set expose, right click and 3rd button. Once set, I threw the Mighty Mouse back in a drawer where it belongs and Logitech sets on the desk where it belongs. Side scrolling won't work the Mac or Windows 7. Works fine with Win XP. I doubt this has anything to do with the KVM.
Logitech MX Air Mouse also works fine plugged into designated mouse port on KVM. Even the 'Air' feature works without having installed the Drivers from Logitech.
Note that the KVM emulates KB and Mouse so they can be hot swapped.
Printer on peripheral port works as it should as does the audio. The Peripheral port focus and Audio focus always stay focused on the same computer. The two can not be separated in order to print from one while listening to another computer. Of coarse you can work on one or more other computers while listening to Audio from still another.
The operation of the KVM to switch focus etc sounds confussing but it makes sense once you use it.
Well packed from Amazon.