> And there you have it. A KVM solution that doesn’t require an external KVM device to pass inputs through, and a switch that can be triggered using a keyboard alone.
No, the worst part of a KVM switch is the video signal switching. You want as few switches in the video signal path as possible and the higher bandwidth you need them to be the more expensive they're going to be. You're already paying for the one in your monitor, so taking advantage of that is the right solution.
IME even high-end KVM switches experience occasional signal interruption or, more often, failure to synchronize at all on output switch.
I'll pursue this when "they" decide to get real and make this not suck. Until then, I have sufficient alternatives.
I appreciate the writeup. It convinces me that integrated KVM stuff ~~ except for fewer wires ~~ isn't much better than the mess that's prevailed for years now, and I'm not missing much.
Why does video input source switching suck so much?
Back in the old analog CRT days I could forgive the switching latency. With today's all-digital signal paths I feel like video input switching should be pretty close to instant.
Is the technology in a broadcast switcher really so exotic and expensive?
Yeah, I read the whole article looking for any meat in there and there is none. I played with different setups as I, too, use both macos and linux. I remember doing a two screen setup where if you move the mouse to the edge of the linux screen, it appears on the macos one.
A two screen setup is not a one screen setup. I have a two screen mouse-edge setup and I was still interested to learn about being able to use a keyboard shortcut to control a monitor with a built-in KVM to switch between two computers on the same screen. That is, in fact, new to me.
> Conclusion
> And there you have it. A KVM solution that doesn’t require an external KVM device to pass inputs through, and a switch that can be triggered using a keyboard alone.
Depends on what class of monitor you want to run it with. A KVM that can handle 4K 144hz VRR is... not cheap, if available at all.
> A KVM that can handle 4K 144hz VRR is... not cheap, if available at all
It's supported by the relatively old HDMI 2.1/DisplayPort 1.4 standards - it shouldn't be that hard to find a KVM that can do this.
"8K" KVMs are available on Amazon for under $100; they'll handle 4K@144 no problem.
No, the worst part of a KVM switch is the video signal switching. You want as few switches in the video signal path as possible and the higher bandwidth you need them to be the more expensive they're going to be. You're already paying for the one in your monitor, so taking advantage of that is the right solution.
IME even high-end KVM switches experience occasional signal interruption or, more often, failure to synchronize at all on output switch.
Do what OP did.
He bought a $900 monitor that has a KVM built in
~$900, and it takes ~3 seconds to switch...
I'll pursue this when "they" decide to get real and make this not suck. Until then, I have sufficient alternatives.
I appreciate the writeup. It convinces me that integrated KVM stuff ~~ except for fewer wires ~~ isn't much better than the mess that's prevailed for years now, and I'm not missing much.
The ~3 second switch would definitely derail me.
Why does video input source switching suck so much?
Back in the old analog CRT days I could forgive the switching latency. With today's all-digital signal paths I feel like video input switching should be pretty close to instant.
Is the technology in a broadcast switcher really so exotic and expensive?
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Yeah, I read the whole article looking for any meat in there and there is none. I played with different setups as I, too, use both macos and linux. I remember doing a two screen setup where if you move the mouse to the edge of the linux screen, it appears on the macos one.
I guess everything old is new again?
A two screen setup is not a one screen setup. I have a two screen mouse-edge setup and I was still interested to learn about being able to use a keyboard shortcut to control a monitor with a built-in KVM to switch between two computers on the same screen. That is, in fact, new to me.
Depends on your threshold for "fiddling". The author's is quite inclusive.