Customer Reviews

IOGEAR MiniView Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch with 2 Cables GCS1732

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

I have half a dozen computers in my office and have tried out (and spent a lot of money on) a variety of KVM solutions. This device, which I've used for several months now to control four computers, is my favorite; let me tell you why.

-- I prefer to use a wireless keyboard, and I've found that "hotkey" KVMs have real problems with some wireless keyboard, often requiring multiple attempts to get it to register.

-- I'm a fast touch-typist, yet I don't find "ScrollLock-ScrollLock-<#>" or "Ctrl-Alt-<#>" to be any faster or more convenient than simply reaching over to punch a button. Your mileage may vary.

-- Video switching speed is a lot faster than, say, the Belkin KVM+audio (F1DL102P) I'm using right now for two of my computers. The Belkin also causes a audible 'pop' on my speakers each time I switch.

-- The extra USB ports have made it easy to share USB devices among the four computers hooked up to the IOGEAR.

The only (momentary) problem that I've ever encountered with this IOGEAR KVM is when I switched to a Gyration wireless keyboard+mouse. The Gyration wireless receiver has a single USB connector instead of a PS/2 pair, and plugging that into either of the IOGEAR's front USB ports (keyboard or mouse) didn't work. However, I quickly discovered that plugging it into one of the IOGEAR's general USB ports in back worked just fine and actually has a benefit: when I run down the rechargeable batteries in the Gyration mouse, I just put that mouse back in its cradle and plug a USB mouse into the IOGEAR's front USB mouse port and keep working.

In short, I like this a lot. In fact, I came here to Amazon tonight to see if there was a two-connector version, so I can replace the Belkin. Turns out there is, and I'm ordering it. But I thought I'd write this review first. ..bruce..

I decided it was time to replace my ancient KVM switch, and after much research, I settled on the GCS1734. It seemed like a great value and the technical reviews were fantastic, so I was really excited to set it up. I got my first two computers booted onto it, a win2k server and my brand new AMD64 XP workstation w/ a top of the line MSI motherboard. The server fired right up as expected, but curiously, the XP box wouldn't. After some troubleshooting to isolate the problem to the KVM, I called technical support. After the normal routine with support and still no fix, the tech asked "Do you have the nVidia chipset on your motherboard?", to which I responded affirmatively.

"Our KVM products don't work with the nVidia chipset. I recommend you buy a USB card."Oh really? How about a firmware upgrade so I don't have to buy additional hardware to run my brand new piece of hardware? "No." If they had stated this MAJOR shortcoming on their website, I would not have bought the product. Now I'm out return shipping, because apparently IOGEAR does not stand by their products or offer either 1) compatibility to a VERY common chipset or 2) Inform potential buyers via their website that they do not support nVidia.

I needed to be able to switch between three computers using USB keyboards and mice and I wanted to find a decent KVM that could fit the bill. I purchased the GCS1734, and have had decent success with it.

I use a Microsoft IntelliMouse Optical, and I like reprograming one of its five buttons to a non-default function. With the mouse plugged into the Mouse port, I lose this functionality; it will act as if a generic four button mouse was installed, and if you have IntelliPoint software installed, it recognizes the mouse as a generic HID-compliant mouse.

Fortunately, the GCS1734 is also a USB hub (albeit 1.1; not the high-speed USB 2.0), so I tried moving the mouse to one of the two provided slots, and now all of my computers see the mouse as exactly what it is, allowing me to customize that button on all the machines.

Pro's:

- Seems very responsive; it changes between computers quickly via the usual Scroll-Lock, Scroll-Lock, # interface and the buttons on the top of the unit. In the past, other KVM's I've used have been slow (such as the Belkin 2-port)

- Comes with all the cables you need (unless you need PS/2 switching, which I didn't.)

- Supports audio and microphone sharing; great for us gamers.

- I've heard this unit is pretty good for using with other platforms like Mac and Linux, but I'm using all Windows XP machines.

- All the extra keys on my Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 work (Calculator, Web/Home, Mail, etc.)

Con's:

- USB is only 1.1, so it may not be the greatest for sharing USB memory keys, etc.

- Keyboard and Mouse ports are on the front of the unit. Disrupts an otherwise decent, clean look. (As noted above though, I don't have anything in the mouse port)

- Minor: It spams mouse messages to inactive computers, so if you use some kind of messenging client, it'll always show you as being there because the computer thinks there is activity on the computer. This is apparently pretty typical of modern KVM's.

- Another minor thing, but I'm a huge 'hater' of plastic packaging that takes herculean efforts to open. While the package has some preferration to make it easier to open, chances of getting attacked by sharp plastic is still 50/50.

Update 3 (27 Dec 05):

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IOGear never followed up with my support issue after the first response that I noted below. However, for some reason, the KVM started working properly, and continued to do so for a few months. Please note that I am still using the same PCs that I have been all year, and that no hardware changes have been made to any of them.

HOWEVER...

About ten days ago, I turned on my second PC to do some work on it, and *poof*! My KVM functions all vanished. I could manually switch the KVM, but I no longer had access to hotkey switching (which the only reliable way to make sure that the KVM switches channels, oddly enough), or to any KVM keyboard accessible functions, for that matter.

So, off to IOGear's "support" web site I went last week (quotes intentional). I dutifully searched their knowledge base, and found nothing. Apparently, out of all of the KVMs of this model that they have sold, none have ever had a problem! It's a MIRACLE! After the glow from appreciating this miracle subsided, I then looked for a firmware upgrade, but, since there have been no problems, why would they upgrade the firmware? They didn't, of course. Finally, in a Quixotic moment of hope, I filled out another support request. And waited for a response. And waited. And waited. And am still waiting today.

The bottom line? If you like their products, can return them to the point of purchase after extensive testing (I would recommend 60 days at least), and don't mind nonexistent support, then feel free to buy this KVM. If it works for you, you will love it. If it doesn't, you will truly wish that you hadn't bought it. Seriously, if it worked for me, I would buy more of them, or perhaps the snazzy GCS1774 with USB 2.0 support AND a 5 port 10/100 Ethernet switch built-in. Believe me, I want to buy it! However, based on the awful support from IOGear, I can't bring myself to make the same mistake again.

Fool me once, shame on you, IOGear. Fool me twice, shame on me!

As always, I have informed IOGear that, if they actually resolve my issue, I will post the outcome, here.

Update 2 (30 Aug 05):

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After resetting the unit and changing my PS/2 to USB adapter to a new brand, the unit has worked to spec for almost three straight weeks. No other hardware changes were made. Strange.

Update 1 (30 Aug 05):

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IOGear Support finally responded to my request for assistance. Scheduling issues have prevented me from completing that process at this time; I will update again when it is finished.

Original Review:

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In theory, this should be the KVM that all home users would want. I have worked in IT for 12 years, and have extensive experience with KVMs from a variety of vendors (primarily Cybex, Apex, and the post merger combination of the two: Avocent). While I don't expect a consumer product to compare in features to a professional product, I do expect it to work as advertised. Unfortunately, the GCS1734 fails this basic requirement.

Here are the problems, in no particular order:

1. You must use separate USB keyboard and USB pointing devices, and each must be plugged into a specific port on the KVM. This decision seems to go against the whole point of using USB devices; apparently, IOGear didn't want to spend too much time developing firmware that would recognize the type of device that was attached to any port. Those of us using combination keyboards and pointing devices (embedded touchpad on my keyboard, in my case) are out of luck. Three emails about this problem to IOGear went unanswered. They couldn't even be bothered to send me a form letter in response.

2. PS/2 devices with USB converters may or may not work; I had mixed results, depending on the type of converter + device combination that I tried. I'm not as upset about this issue as I am about the others, but more consistent behavior would be nice.

3. Some USB mice don't work. My Microsoft Optical Mouse (the simple, plain wheel version) didn't work.

4. Switching devices from the keyboard does not always work (this is the "tap scroll lock twice" method). It worked for a while, then started working sporadically. Nothing has changed about the PCs that are attached to this KVM.

5. Occasionally, one of the attached PCs will appear to have stuck keys or excessive, constant mouse input (hard to explain; imagine if a mouse movement became "stuck" and kept "repeating" itself). Currently, one of my PCs is unusable because the KVM is sending it repetitive keystroke and mouse movement information. And yes, it worked fine for several months before this behavior started.

6. If you add any PS/2 computers to the KVM, you lose the shared USB device functionality.

7. Worst of all: IOGear has ignored all of my requests for support. I have submitted three email messages to their support address over a period of several weeks. Other than an auto-response saying that they received my message, I have received no response whatsoever. This terrible support response is reason enough to not ever buy another product from IOGear.

I wanted to love this KVM. Heck, I'd even settle for liking it. Right now, I am merely tolerating it, and trying to keep myself from smashing it into little pieces as it fails to operate properly on a daily basis.

IOGear, if you read this, please know that you have lost all of my future business, and any future business that I would have referred to you via friends, family, or business connections. I used to recommend your products without reservation. However, given that you can't be bothered to even respond to my emailed support requests, how can I possibly recommend your company to anyone else?

I will update this review, if my issues are addressed by IOGear.

In closing, I strongly recommend that you DO NOT purchase this KVM, or any other IOGear product. There are plenty of other alternatives out there, even if they don't appear to match up feature-wise with the GCS1734. Remember, features mean nothing without reliable operation and good support.

If you've been searching for a KVM that works with your USB mouse and keyboard... without having to give up the custom features of your USB keyboard and mouse... the IOGear GCS1734 is the one to get. I've ran into many problems with other IOGear as well as Belkin KVM's that support USB console and PC's... they usually work, but you usually only get basic functionality from your keyboard and mouse i.e. you don't get access to multimedia keys or volume control on your keyboard, or access to additional buttons on your mouse. The GCS1734 is the first KVM I've come across that has no problems with my Logitech Elite keyboard (volume, multimedia keys, scroll wheel etc all work fine... note I did not install any drivers... none were needed) and my Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer (4.0... the one with the tilt wheel)... both work fine. I'm using the KVM with two Windows XP machines, an IBM laptop port replicator (for the T30 series)... and a Suse Linux PC. I can switch between them with no issues. Add to that the ability to also switch sound etc... this is the KVM to buy!

Negatives? It's not cheap... an On Screen Display would be nice for what you pay.

I will admit I didn't buy the two GCS1734s I purchased recently from Amazon only because IOGear had some refurbished ones on clearance in their online store.

I was replacing a burned out 8 port ATEN KVM that allowed me to connect 2 monitors, keyboards, and mice to a set of 6 PCs. It was a nice set-up, but I too wanted to start using a Gyration Keyboard and Mouse.

When I first took the GCS1734 out of the box I realized that even though it was labelled as IOGear it is really a ATEN KVM device. ATEN makes really good KVMs and including these 2 GCS1734s I have owned about 9 differnet ATEN KVMs. Always realiable and when they do finally give up the ghost it is usually do to wear and tear or in my case with the last one a freak surge that made it through the electrical defenses to fry it.

I had read Mr. Webster's review below so I had some idea that the Gyration Mouse and Keyboard would work with the GCS1734. What I really wanted to know is if it would work in the front ports so that I could use the hot-key function of the GCS1734. I work in one room and the KVMs, servers, and network are in another, so walking back and forth was not really an option. Nor was extending my USB connections across that distance from the PCs to the KVMs. I have to say I was sweetly surprized when I discovered that after plugging in the RF receiver for the Gyration Keyboard and Mouse to the front Keyboard port for the GCS1734 it worked without a single problem. I have since altered the GCS1734 to answer to CTRL-CTRL and then I simply press the number of the machine I want and hit enter. It switches over to that macine without a single problem.

The one thing I have discovered with the GCS1734 is that it is really finicky when it comes to what standard of USB it will talk to via the front keyboard and mouse ports as well as the rear shared USB ports. It really doesn't like USB 2.0 cables or hubs. A few work, but most don't. I can consistently plug a USB 1.1 cable or device in and it works perfectly. I plug a USB 2.0 device in and it might or might not work. This is most definitely true for the front panel ports for the Keyboard and Mouse. I wanted to extend the RF receiver into the other room such that it would be visible and discovered that if I used a USB 2.0 extension or hub to try and extend the USB connection from the front panel ports on the GCS1734 it would cause the hubs port to blink red indicating a bad connection and it would just not work at all using the extension cables. I could simply use a longer cable and connect the RF receiver to the end and it worked, but this has the 15 foot limitation inherent in the USB standard. When I tried to extend the connection using a USB 1.1 hub it worked perfectly the first time. I have now tried a USB 1.1 Active Extension with the same successful result. As such it has become obvious to me that the GCS1734 is built more strictly to the USB 1.1 standard.

Other that this the 2 GCS1734s have worked flawlessly. Good video, good keyboard and mouse response. Also it has handled many hot-swap changed I have thrown at it. All in all it is a great device as long as you read the manual and learn to understand what it can do.

I purchased the GCS1734 to use with my iBook, G4 tower, and my Linux/WinXP box. I'm currently using a Logitech Elite keyboard and Optical Wheel Mouse. The KVM switch installed quickly and easily after reading the instruction manual.

The only problems I've noticed so far:
1. My Mac's will not go to sleep and remain asleep.
2. I cannot operate the iBook with the screen closed, it will try to sleep after 5-10 seconds, then wake up, then try to sleep again. This doesn not happen when the keyboard, mouse, & monitor are plugged directly into the machine - only when using the KVM.
3. After installing the Logitech drivers the wheel mouse would not work when plugged into the USB mouse port on the front of the KVM switch. Moving the mouse to a "peripheral" port on the rear of the KVM fixed this.
4. The audio switching feature is nice, but it cuts the low frequencies off around 100-150Hz. My Klipsch Promedia 2.1 subwoofer was not thumping like usual when run through the switch, so I do not recommend using this feature if you like good sound.

All in all, I feel this KVM switch is an excellent buy. The hardware is well designed and very compact. The cables are well sheilded and I see no "ghosting" on my CRT display - a very common result of using inferior RGB monitor cables. All keys and mouse buttons are mapped correctly and as far as I can see there are no fatal flaws in this product. I really appreciate the ability to update the firmware as well.

I bought the GCS1734 after my old GCS124U wouldn't work with a newly added wireless mouse.

I immediately had problems getting the GCS1734 to work using hot keys. The Num/Caps/Scroll lamps on my Belkin keyboard blinked, the GCS1734 wouldn't reset. It would only work manually with the keyboard plugged in through the rear-mounted USB ports, but then no hot key functionality.

I contacted "support" where I basically was given the run-around... that "emulation" wasn't guaranteed for all brands of keyboards. When asked what brands WERE supported, they would only say that IOGear keyboards were. I don't think "support" knows what the word "emulation" means ;-)

Suspicioning that I might have a defective unit I asked for an exchange. "Support" said OK, ship it back, THEN we'll send you a new unit. Not wanting to be left dead in the water I offered a credit card to cover while they shipped a new unit and I continued running (manually) on the old. IOGear "support" refused.

I was miffed.

But as an EE I was puzzled by the strange behavior, particularly after a sequence of plugging in new gear caused the GCS1734 to suddenly start working under hot key mode.

The blinking lights made me suspicious that the "power-on-reset" of the keyboard was over-loading an inadequate power supply in the GCS1734.

So I ordered a power USB hub (from Amazon, natch ;-), and just now plugged in the keyboard via the hub.

Voila! Works all the time.

Note: Works best with keyboard (thru hub) plugged into front USB port... gets you hot key operation; but plug your mouse into the rear ports... all features of mouse get passed to PC.

So, all-in-all, after much frustration, I'm happy ;-)

I bought a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 usb keyboard that has programmable & multimedia keys. I purchased a D-Link kvm switch & the special keys on the keyboard didn't work. In all my reasearch, I found that most usb kvm switches emulate a standard keyboard, so special features a keyboard has are disabled. I bought this IOGEAR Extreme switch because it supported 2 special keyboards already, had auxiliary usb ports that might allow the keyboard to work as a periferal device & has a firmware upgrade feature in case they come up with something great. I plugged everything in as instructed 1st & the keyboard works, programmable keys & all. Plus the kvm hotkey switching still works! This may sound small to some, but for those that have been frustrated with usb kvm, this is big.

This switch is a good looking, solidly built device. The plastic is accurately joined and has a sort of metallic semi-gloss finish that allows it to blend in gracefully on a desk next to fancy flat screen monitors and flashy keyboards and mice.

The proprietary cabling that it comes with is well made. It has color coded speaker and microphone jacks on each end with caps that are attached to the cord with a short tether. This is a nice touch that prevents the caps from becoming lost when the cables are plugged in.

Since I got this switch, I moved away from PS/2 entirely and now I run 3 computers via USB only. It took about 30 seconds for my Windows 2000 machine to recognize the device and then the keyboard and mouse attached to it. The Windows XP computers took considerably longer, about 2 minutes.

Once everything is recognized, switching between the computers is very fast, and takes about 2 to 3 seconds, depending on how fast you can press the button corresponding to the computer you want to use.

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I have had no problems getting my USB keyboard to work properly. My Logitech keyboard has all sorts of fancy buttons and features I rarely use, such as an additional scroll wheel, media control buttons, "internet" buttons, and so forth. These work perfectly, and indeed no differently than when I had the keyboard hooked up via a PS/2 adapter on my old KVM switch.

My only other complaint is that they provide a base that gives the illusion of being able to make the product stand upright, but with the weight of the attached cables and the fact that the console ports are on the front, this really does not work very well. Even if you do manage to prevent it from tipping over, you have all these cables in midair and there is nothing provided to help keep them out of the way. I find the unit works best when laid flat.

The device is functionally excellent, and looks great. After getting it all unpacked, and seeing how it is well made and how it comes with everything you need, it doesn't seem so bad that it cost $160. The delay for Windows XP and the under-engineered base keep this product from earning 5 stars.