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Gefen KVM USB Switcher Review

by July 05, 2004
Gefen USB Switcher KVM

Gefen USB Switcher KVM

  • Product Name: The USB Switcher
  • Manufacturer: Gefen
  • Performance Rating: StarStarStarStarStar
  • Value Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Review Date: July 05, 2004 19:00
  • MSRP: $ 199

Video Amplifier Bandwidth: 350MHz
Input Video Signal: 1.2 V p-p
Input Sync Signal: 5 V p-p
Video Connectors: DVI-A
Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Audio Input Connector: Mini Stereo (1/8”)
USB Input Connectors: Type B
USB Output Connectors: Type A
Power Supply: 12 VAC (External)
Power Consumption: 15 Watts (max)

Accessories:
The USB Switcher
Two 6ft DVI-A to VGA Cable
One DVI-A to VGA Adapter
Two 6ft A to B USB Cable
Two 6ft Audio Cables
One 12V Transformer

Dimensions: 1.75”H x 8”W x 4”D
Weight: 8bs

Pros

  • Comes with everything needed for most applications
  • Excellent & consistent switching performance
  • USB support
  • DVI-A Support
  • Remote Control Option (optional RMT-2)
  • Rackmountable

Cons

  • No DVI support for digital displays (this model)

 

Gefen KVM USB Switcher Introduction

Anyone familiar with digital production or post-production, or anyone involved in the graphics industry is probably aware of the long-standing Mac vs. PC debate. While Macs have dropped considerably in price over the years, the highly-competitive world of Windows, plus the advances made in the WindowsXP operating system have taken much of the Macintosh market share and sent it west to Redmond Washington . Those die-hard Mac fans who remain love their machines and cherish the new Mac OX operating system and all that it has to offer.

What does this have to do with a USB KVM Switch? Well, I left the Mac scene around 2001 for the world of build-it-yourself PCs that cost less than $500 - but I cannot get myself to ditch the Mac for several reasons. As the Editor of the largest home theater review website I have to be sure that our pages, articles and designs look good on both platforms. I also admit that I like venturing into the world of Mac OS X from time to time for a refreshing (but fortunately no longer superior) alternative to the Windows world. The only way to make this transition is via physically moving from one PC to another - or by employing a KVM (keyboard, video & mouse) switch.

null Dual Displays

I have had two display monitors since 1993 when I utilized an Apple AV expansion card for my PowerMac 6100 (the first Mac I ever bought.) By adding the AV card into the Nubus slot I was able to add a second 15" monitor to my setup - allowing me to have dual displays when some people were just getting into color monitors! This trend has continued with me through the years and I have not utilized a single display since. But what about utilizing two computers?

Dual Computers - The Next Phase

Once I decided to leave the Macintosh platform and saunter over to the world of inexpensive PCs and frequent upgrades, I discovered that running dual monitors on the PC was just as easy (as soon as Windows (98 SE came around, that is). But what about my old G4? How could I continue to use that for the things it did best and still be able to utilize the PC at virtually the same time? Enter KVM switches 舑 the devices that allow one to utilize two computers from a single keyboard, video display and mouse.

About the author:
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Clint Deboer was terminated from Audioholics for misconduct on April 4th, 2014. He no longer represents Audioholics in any fashion.

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