IOGEAR MiniView Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch with Cables (GCS1734)

by Iogear

Product Details

Product Manual [1.24mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 13 x 8.5 x 5 inches ; 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000V3OKM
• Item model number: GCS1734
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #43 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > External Components > KVM Switches
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

Size Name: 4 Cables

From the Manufacturer

IOGEAR's new MiniView Extreme Multimedia KVM and Peripheral Sharing Switch brings extra value to conventional KVM switches by offering USB peripheral sharing capabilities, audio and microphone support, and multi-platform support for Windows, Mac, and Sun systems using USB or PS/2 (additional cables needed for PS/2, IOGEAR Part No. G2L5302P). You can save money and space by eliminating the need for multiple monitors, keyboards, mice, and peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, zip drives, and more. Up to 127 different USB devices can be daisy chained from this KVMP switch. Sharing speakers and a microphone also offers extra value and convenience for the users.

USB and KVM technology together makes cross-platform management easy. A single USB console can control PCs, Macs, or even Sun workstations, and share peripherals and audio devices between the computers. Any USB-enabled computers, using any USB-compatible operating system, can benefit from the efficiency, expense reduction and convenience of IOGEAR's Miniview Extreme KVMP switch.

Product Description

IOGEARs new MiniView Extreme Multimedia KVM and Peripheral Sharing Switch brings extra value to conventional KVM switches by offering USB peripheral sharing capabilities, audio and microphone support, and multi-platform support for Windows, Mac, and Sun systems using USB or PS/2(additional cables needed for PS/2, IOGEAR Part No. G2L5302P). You can save money and space by eliminating the need for multiple monitors, keyboards, mice, and peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, zip drives, and more. Up to 127 different USB devices can be daisy chained from this KVMP switch. Sharing speakers and a microphone also offers extra value and convenience for the users. USB and KVM technology together makes cross-platform management easy. A single USB console can control PCs, Macs, or even Sun workstations, and share peripherals and audio devices between the computers. Any USB-enabled computers, using any USB-compatible operating system, can benefit from the efficiency, expense reduction and convenience of IOGEARs Miniview Extreme KVMP switch.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unlike some here, I'm very pleased, January 30, 2005

By 

Bruce F. Webster "geek in a suit" (Parker, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: IOGEAR MiniView Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch with Cables (GCS1734) (Personal Computers)

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..

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't work with nVidia Motherboards!!!, July 21, 2005

By 

Kevin Kokoszka (Exeter, Devon UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: IOGEAR MiniView Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch with Cables (GCS1734) (Personal Computers)

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.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Switch Box, December 29, 2005

By 

Silmeron (Huntington Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: IOGEAR MiniView Extreme Multimedia KVMP Switch with Cables (GCS1734) (Personal Computers)

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.

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