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Belkin Omniview 2-Port KVM Switch with Audio Support and Built-In Cabling, USB | 
 enlarge | Brand: Belkin
Category: CE
This item is no longer available
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 44233
Platform: Mac Os X
Media: Electronics
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 10.6 x 7.5 x 2.9
MPN: F1DL102Uuk
Model: F1DL102Uuk
UPC: 722868513033
EAN: 0722868513033
ASIN: B0006374S2
Release Date: December 6, 2004
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Product Description
This Switch provides an affordable KVM solution that saves workspace while giving you control of two USB computers from one console. Its compact design-with 8-foot, built-in cabling-saves you time on installation, space on your desktop, and money you don't have to spend on cables and peripherals. The Switch includes such features as audio and mic support, a manual port selector and software that makes switching ports easy. The unit supports high-quality video resolution of up to 2048x1536 through built-in, ...
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
 It works fine for the money but not perfectly November 15, 2008
George Orwell2 (UK)
It's probably pointless me posting my review now but perhaps it will be of help to somebody.
It's curious how divided people are over this bit of equipment. As a fan of Belkin I thought I'd take a chance on them and personally, I haven't had any serious problems with this product. It's worth googling and reading some detailed reviews about how to set it up properly - mainly making sure all your USB keyboard and mouse work already beforehand. Installation is then a matter of switching the PC on and then unplugging your keyboard etc and plugging the switch cables in.
The switch-over can be achieved by: physically clicking a button on the switch or by using provided software to create a system tray icon or by pressing the scroll lock key four times in quick succession - this last method bizarrely goes completely unmentioned in the product manual. It makes a loud click as it switches which I find useful although others find annoying. It is not instant but takes two seconds maybe.
Weirdly, this product still isn't Vista supported but this doesn't really mean anything and it still works fine. However I have good grounds for believing that using Vista Ultimate's DreamScene will cause a complete system crash - the switch can't seem to cope with it. That aside it works fine going between XP and Vista.
The other strange thing I've noted is that I have a widescreen monitor and when I use my Pivot software to adjust the screen 90 degrees or whatever, it greatly confuses the switch and I noticed that after, I'm not able to switch to the other PC and it will continue to try to switch even when both PCs are turned off! It clicks away continuously until you unplug and replug the cables which is strange and a bit annoying. If the connection somehow comes loose you will find it constantly "switching" as well.
As other more professional reviewers have noted, if you need to use boot-up for any reason you will have to completely remove the switch because during the start up process, it keeps switching back and forth even when only one PC has been switched on.
I'm also using a Belkin USB to PS/2 Adapter (F5U119EAE) which allows me to continue to use my PS/2 keyboard despite this being a USB switch.
So in conclusion, it works but it does have its issues. I don't regret buying it.
OK, if you are prepared to change your habits -amplified interference on USB Circuits April 28, 2008
Den Lyon (Kent, England)
The Belkin Omniview 2-port KVM with Audio is an easy to setup device.
I made sure my Saitek keyboard and Logigtech MX518 wired laser mouse worked properly on both my laptop and home PC before attempting to setup the switch.
+'ives: once both PCs are booted switching is easy, with the press of a button
-'ives: I have to make sure my home PC is switched off at the wall before booting my laptop, as power is still supplied to the USB circuits even when the PC is powered down ! (which causes the KVM to constantly try to switch during the laptop bootup - not allowing power-on password to be entered).
-'ives: occasionally loses keyboard connectivity when switching from laptop to home PC (easily remedied by unplugging the keyboard usb at the switch and replugging it)
-'ives: the laser mouse has a very slight high pitched interference noise when plugged into the computer directly (hardly noticeable, and very common across optical mice) but when plugged through the KVM, the sound is nearly unbearable, when switching audio also. THIS IS THE ONE PROBLEM THAT I MAY HAVE TO RETURN THE DEVICE FOR, AS IT'S A HEALTH RISK.
 Does the job (for me) April 2, 2008
Chris Dowey (Norn Iron)
I bought this to switch between a desktop and a laptop. Only one will ever be switched on at a time - so I haven't seen any of the issues others have had with switching from one machine to another. I also only use the USB and sound ports - for video I have direct connections to two ports on my monitor - so I cannot comment on video quality (with build-in leads these would need to be very good quality as you can't replace them).
When switching on either machine, the switch picks up the correct one ok at startup and it also works when the laptop is being woken up from suspend. There doesn't appear to be a hotkey to switch between machines, which I had on my old Belkin switch but for me this is not required.
Also it says on the packet that the switch does not work with wireless keyboards and mice. I guess this might be combination sets; I have a wired Microsoft Natural 4000 keyboard and a separate wireless Intellimouse, which is fine.
I've given this four stars as it wasn't clear that it didn't work with wireless keyboard/mice until it arrived. Overall, it does the job I need it for and appears to do it seamlessly.
 Do Not Buy This Switch! March 7, 2008
SerasV (UK)
I've had all the problems stated in these reviews, random switching etc, even had to power down one machine to boot up the other (kind of defeats the object lol).
I would recommend anyone steer clear of this switch like the bubonic plague; it's the single worst pc peripheral I've ever bought.
 It works pefectly - straight out of the box November 22, 2007
Terry Mc (Manchester, UK)
Before I purchased this item I read some of the other reviews. I was a little concerned by some of them. However, I was confident that I would be able to get it working, so I purchased.
One other reviewer pointed out that if you make sure the USB keyboard and mouse work independently with both PC's first, you will have no problem. Unusually for me, I decided to read the instructions before setting it up.
I DID take the step of making sure the Keyboard and Mouse worked with both PC's first (as in the instructions) and everything worked fine first time.
I installed the software but soon discovered that this isn't necessary. The KVM switch does have a hot key 'soft-switch' included, which is to press the 'Scroll Lock' key 4 times.
I'm now happily working with 2 PC's at the same time and I'm delighted with the KVM switch and think it is excellent value for money/
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www.pcprotech.co.uk | |
