Price : Too low to display
Linksys ProConnect CPU Switch SVIEW04 - Monitor/keyboard/mouse switch - 4 ports
This review is from : Cisco-Linksys SVIEW04 ProConnnect 4-station CPU KVM Switch
Low tech hardware savings plan . Linksys provides one of the best, versatile, and easy to use console switches on the market. I've used others that cost less, but broke only weeks later. The first one I got 3 years ago is still working.This is an easy way to share a monitor, keyboard, and mouse with multiple CPUs. The device allows either keyboard enabled or hardware buttons to switch between systems. New systems can be added without creating new problems. Just plug and play.Worth the price.
Low tech hardware savings plan . Linksys provides one of the best, versatile, and easy to use console switches on the market. I've used others that cost less, but broke only weeks later. The first one I got 3 years ago is still working.This is an easy way to share a monitor, keyboard, and mouse with multiple CPUs. The device allows either keyboard enabled or hardware buttons to switch between systems. New systems can be added without creating new problems. Just plug and play.Worth the price.
Cisco-Linksys SVIEW04 ProConnnect 4-station CPU KVM Switch Reviews
Behaves Well Great for Expansion and the Video Quality is Just Fine . I didn't think I would need so many ports; but as things go on, I now have two of these, and I'm considering a third. Fortunately, connecting one to the other (two stage chaining) works quite well.
I haven't noticed any problems with video quality, but my expectations aren't that high. As I currently have it, the second stage chained KVM is only switching the lower performing systems that I have. Perhaps, the video quality issue would be more apparent if I were to connect to it a better performing system. But, I'll have to try that another time. Anyway, cable quality and routing is likely to be just as significant.
By the way, KVM cables are heavy; and regardless of how well this box stays on its feet, you'll want some manner of cable management to keep things in place. And, that goes for pretty much any KVM.
I had spent a few hundred dollars on KVM's before I found the SVIEW04. The search had started when I became frustrated with the weird behavior of a Belkin KVM. Others that I'd tried had keyboard shortcuts that conflicted with program shortcuts and couldn't be disabled. I prefer using the switches on the KVM front panel, so I configure the SVIEW04 with the least possible shortcut keys. So, I've never had the SVIEW04 switch to another system in the midst of some complex keyboard interaction.
I also like the relatively professional feel of the case. The basic rectangle might not be all that popular in an office or living room setting, which isn't really where these thing end up, but the case does lend itself to a variety of mounting arrangements. And, if you're going to have more than one, stacking is a good thing.
I'm surprised that other KVM manufacturers seem to have such a poor understanding of this market. These things are for power users and techies; dip-switches and flat rectangular boxes are a good thing. We don't want an egg-shapped KVM or some other organic looking thing; we want control central, where functionality rules. Anyway, Linksys did a fine job of making a basic rectangular box look presentable. That is, I think it looks just fine (and yes dear, I'll never put it in the living room).
Behaves Well Great for Expansion and the Video Quality is Just Fine . I didn't think I would need so many ports; but as things go on, I now have two of these, and I'm considering a third. Fortunately, connecting one to the other (two stage chaining) works quite well.
I haven't noticed any problems with video quality, but my expectations aren't that high. As I currently have it, the second stage chained KVM is only switching the lower performing systems that I have. Perhaps, the video quality issue would be more apparent if I were to connect to it a better performing system. But, I'll have to try that another time. Anyway, cable quality and routing is likely to be just as significant.
By the way, KVM cables are heavy; and regardless of how well this box stays on its feet, you'll want some manner of cable management to keep things in place. And, that goes for pretty much any KVM.
I had spent a few hundred dollars on KVM's before I found the SVIEW04. The search had started when I became frustrated with the weird behavior of a Belkin KVM. Others that I'd tried had keyboard shortcuts that conflicted with program shortcuts and couldn't be disabled. I prefer using the switches on the KVM front panel, so I configure the SVIEW04 with the least possible shortcut keys. So, I've never had the SVIEW04 switch to another system in the midst of some complex keyboard interaction.
I also like the relatively professional feel of the case. The basic rectangle might not be all that popular in an office or living room setting, which isn't really where these thing end up, but the case does lend itself to a variety of mounting arrangements. And, if you're going to have more than one, stacking is a good thing.
I'm surprised that other KVM manufacturers seem to have such a poor understanding of this market. These things are for power users and techies; dip-switches and flat rectangular boxes are a good thing. We don't want an egg-shapped KVM or some other organic looking thing; we want control central, where functionality rules. Anyway, Linksys did a fine job of making a basic rectangular box look presentable. That is, I think it looks just fine (and yes dear, I'll never put it in the living room).
Cisco-Linksys SVIEW04 ProConnnect 4-station CPU KVM Switch Opinions
Disappointing video quality from an otherwise great product . Choosing a KVM can be very difficult. Every aspect of your computer interaction goes through this one device, and the slightest issues with the device can become major irritants. Having to live with a troublesome Belkin KVM at work, I know all too well what trouble these devices can be.
I bought the SVIEW04 to replace an older Linksys PS2KVM2 which I've used at home for the last several years. With the addition a new Mac Mini to join my current Windows and Linux PCs, I needed to upgrade to a larger KVM. I had been extremely happy with the PS2KVM2 (perfect image quality, instant switching, no mouse/keyboard problems or spurious character and mouse clicks when switching), so I stuck with the Linksys brand for this new one.
I am mostly pleased. It continues to emulate the mouse and keyboard perfectly (something I can't say about the Belkin KVM I use at work). With the addition of a PS2->USB adaptor it also works great with the Macintosh. Linux presented no difficulties either (the Belkin PS/2 KVM I've used has never played politely with Linux due to shoddy mouse emulation). The keyboard shortcuts are unintrusive, even for a programmer making heavy use of emacs and its carnival of bizarre keyboard shortcuts. Even better, dip switches allow some limited control over the keyboard switching (selection of alternate shortcuts, enable/disable 'quick' switching via the control keys).
My only complaint about this KVM is the video quality. I hooked it up using the same cabling which gave me a perfect image with my old KVM, but the output from the SVIEW04 is not as good. It causes a slight ghosting effect which makes objects look faintly embossed. This is particularly distracting for text on other backgrounds other than white. Note that I run my display at 1600x1200, and people running at lower resolutions will find the effect much less noticable. It is disappointing that the signal quality of newer Linksys KVMs seems to have diminished.
Aside from the video quality issue, this is a great product. I'm giving it 3 stars due to the video quality, otherwise it would receive a full 5 stars.
Disappointing video quality from an otherwise great product . Choosing a KVM can be very difficult. Every aspect of your computer interaction goes through this one device, and the slightest issues with the device can become major irritants. Having to live with a troublesome Belkin KVM at work, I know all too well what trouble these devices can be.
I bought the SVIEW04 to replace an older Linksys PS2KVM2 which I've used at home for the last several years. With the addition a new Mac Mini to join my current Windows and Linux PCs, I needed to upgrade to a larger KVM. I had been extremely happy with the PS2KVM2 (perfect image quality, instant switching, no mouse/keyboard problems or spurious character and mouse clicks when switching), so I stuck with the Linksys brand for this new one.
I am mostly pleased. It continues to emulate the mouse and keyboard perfectly (something I can't say about the Belkin KVM I use at work). With the addition of a PS2->USB adaptor it also works great with the Macintosh. Linux presented no difficulties either (the Belkin PS/2 KVM I've used has never played politely with Linux due to shoddy mouse emulation). The keyboard shortcuts are unintrusive, even for a programmer making heavy use of emacs and its carnival of bizarre keyboard shortcuts. Even better, dip switches allow some limited control over the keyboard switching (selection of alternate shortcuts, enable/disable 'quick' switching via the control keys).
My only complaint about this KVM is the video quality. I hooked it up using the same cabling which gave me a perfect image with my old KVM, but the output from the SVIEW04 is not as good. It causes a slight ghosting effect which makes objects look faintly embossed. This is particularly distracting for text on other backgrounds other than white. Note that I run my display at 1600x1200, and people running at lower resolutions will find the effect much less noticable. It is disappointing that the signal quality of newer Linksys KVMs seems to have diminished.
Aside from the video quality issue, this is a great product. I'm giving it 3 stars due to the video quality, otherwise it would receive a full 5 stars.
Cons Review
Bad video for me too . I replaced a Belkin Omniview KVM with this Linksys SVIEW04. And like others who have submitted reviews I too experienced poor video quality using the same cables that produced good quality video with the Belkin. In general there is text ghosting. Another way of describing it is that text has shadows. Quality varies with the application. With my MVS Host emulation app the text is barely readable. The other issue I have with swith is the lack of a simple to use hotkey that switches between only active PC's. But I would keep it if it weren't for the video quality.
Related Post
- SMC EZ Switch GS16 16-Port 10/100/1000 Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
(SMCGS16) - D-Link 16-Port 10/100/1000 Rackmountable Switch
- D-Link DI-604
Product Details
EAN : 0745883548354UPC : 745883548354
MPN : SVIEW04
Brand : Cisco
Weight : 5 pounds
Height : 5 inches
Length : 13 inches
Width : 9 inches
Binding : Personal Computers
ItemPartNumber : SVIEW04
Manufacturer : Linksys
Model : SVIEW04
Publisher : Linksys
SKU : DHSVIEW04
Studio : Linksys
Where To Buy
You can buy Cisco-Linksys SVIEW04 ProConnnect 4-station CPU KVM Switch on Amazon . Click here to Read More
