Price : Too low to display
The SV411K 4 Port Black PS/2 KVM Switch Kit with cables lets you control four computers using a single keyboard, mouse and VGA monitor and offers both hotkey and top panel push-button operation for simple switching between connected computers. Designed to integrate seamlessly into any environment, the KVM switch offers a small footprint design (roughly the size of a deck of playing cards) and draws power from the connected computers, so it doesn't require an external power supply. Delivering dependable and convenient control of multiple computers from a single peripheral station, the KVM switch supports video resolutions of up to 2048 x 1536 and includes 3-in-1 (PS/2 and Video) cables to provide a complete, out-of-the-box KVM solution. Backed by a StarTech.com 1-year warranty and free lifetime technical support.
This review is from : StarTech 4-Port Black PS/2 KVM Switch Kit with Cables (SV411K)
Works great . It just works fine and stable. In addition to the keyboard shortcut sequences (ex. Ctrl,Ctrl,4 for PC4), you can just press the push button on the box to change the PC. The video are all good for all PCs with different resolutions. No annoying beeps. Good quality on the box and 4 cables. From my experience, this device will NOT work with USB. For example, if connect a USB mouse and then a converter to PS/2, then to this device, it won't work. Another example, if the PC only with USB port, you connect its cable (the one that connect to the PC) with a PS/2 to USB converter, then connect the USB end to the PC, it won't work either.
Works great . It just works fine and stable. In addition to the keyboard shortcut sequences (ex. Ctrl,Ctrl,4 for PC4), you can just press the push button on the box to change the PC. The video are all good for all PCs with different resolutions. No annoying beeps. Good quality on the box and 4 cables. From my experience, this device will NOT work with USB. For example, if connect a USB mouse and then a converter to PS/2, then to this device, it won't work. Another example, if the PC only with USB port, you connect its cable (the one that connect to the PC) with a PS/2 to USB converter, then connect the USB end to the PC, it won't work either.
StarTech 4-Port Black PS/2 KVM Switch Kit with Cables (SV411K) Reviews
Cheap yet very effective . When I worked at my university's computer repair center, we used this KVM exclusively. I don't know how that came about, but I do know that when the time came that I needed a KVM of my own, this was first on my mind.
I think I paid 60-something for it, including shipping. It's the second KVM I've ever bought - the first being a TrendWare TK-400 series, purchased from Newegg. This serves as the primary basis for comparison.
Pros (for the StarTech, not the TrendWare):
* Doesn't beep when you change ports - thank you!
* Included cables are less stiff, and a bit more compact, so they're easier to manage when running them through a tight space (say, behind a desk), or packing/unpacking them (if you move the KVM around a lot).
* These cables plug in all on one side, with one more side being used only for the two "terminal" PS/2 ports. VERY nice not to have the cables veer off in all four directions like they do with the TrendWare. Even though the TrendWare is the same physical size as this StarTech device, the latter takes up much less room on my desk with the cables all going in the same direction.
* Control the selected port with your keyboard - ctrl-ctrl-<X>, to go to the Xth port. My TrendWare used a Scroll Lock double-tap instead, which really is more of a philosophical problem than a practical one. Scroll Lock is a toggle key - it shouldn't be used as a command key, in my opinion. Like I said - philosophical.
* Like the TrendWare, there is a button on the unit itself to switch ports, though I never feel the need to use it.
Cons:
I can't really think of any. My fairly simple needs are more than met by this device. It'd certainly be cool if it had ports for dual, simultaneous, independent terminals, but if you search for KVMs with that feature, you will notice that they're all high-end and quite expensive.
Resolution note: I've never used this KVM higher than 1280x1024 @ 60Hz, so I can't attest to its performance at higher resolutions or refresh rates.
Conclusion:
The StarTech SV411K is a simple 4-port VGA-and-PS/2 KVM that gets the job done reliably. If you want to control four machines from one monitor, keyboard, and mouse, this little guy ought to do the trick.
There are a lot of crappy consumer-end KVMs that are in the same price range or above (check out Belkin's cheaper offerings). This particular KVM seems to... just do the job right.
Cheap yet very effective . When I worked at my university's computer repair center, we used this KVM exclusively. I don't know how that came about, but I do know that when the time came that I needed a KVM of my own, this was first on my mind.
I think I paid 60-something for it, including shipping. It's the second KVM I've ever bought - the first being a TrendWare TK-400 series, purchased from Newegg. This serves as the primary basis for comparison.
Pros (for the StarTech, not the TrendWare):
* Doesn't beep when you change ports - thank you!
* Included cables are less stiff, and a bit more compact, so they're easier to manage when running them through a tight space (say, behind a desk), or packing/unpacking them (if you move the KVM around a lot).
* These cables plug in all on one side, with one more side being used only for the two "terminal" PS/2 ports. VERY nice not to have the cables veer off in all four directions like they do with the TrendWare. Even though the TrendWare is the same physical size as this StarTech device, the latter takes up much less room on my desk with the cables all going in the same direction.
* Control the selected port with your keyboard - ctrl-ctrl-<X>, to go to the Xth port. My TrendWare used a Scroll Lock double-tap instead, which really is more of a philosophical problem than a practical one. Scroll Lock is a toggle key - it shouldn't be used as a command key, in my opinion. Like I said - philosophical.
* Like the TrendWare, there is a button on the unit itself to switch ports, though I never feel the need to use it.
Cons:
I can't really think of any. My fairly simple needs are more than met by this device. It'd certainly be cool if it had ports for dual, simultaneous, independent terminals, but if you search for KVMs with that feature, you will notice that they're all high-end and quite expensive.
Resolution note: I've never used this KVM higher than 1280x1024 @ 60Hz, so I can't attest to its performance at higher resolutions or refresh rates.
Conclusion:
The StarTech SV411K is a simple 4-port VGA-and-PS/2 KVM that gets the job done reliably. If you want to control four machines from one monitor, keyboard, and mouse, this little guy ought to do the trick.
There are a lot of crappy consumer-end KVMs that are in the same price range or above (check out Belkin's cheaper offerings). This particular KVM seems to... just do the job right.
StarTech 4-Port Black PS/2 KVM Switch Kit with Cables (SV411K) Opinions
Doesn't work with common mouse USB to PS/2 adapter . After reading all the positive reviews, I thought this would be a good choice for me. Unfortunately, I missed the comment that it doesn't work with USB to PS/2 adapters. I have a mouse that has worked with every other KVM switch I've ever seen, an older MS Optical mouse. It has a USB connector that goes into a PS/2 converter.
Unfortunately, it didn't work with this switch, so I had to return the item. I haven't seen a plain PS/2 mouse in awhile (but I haven't looked for one either--a quick google shows that they're still around) but I didn't want to buy a new mouse just to use with the switch.
Doesn't work with common mouse USB to PS/2 adapter . After reading all the positive reviews, I thought this would be a good choice for me. Unfortunately, I missed the comment that it doesn't work with USB to PS/2 adapters. I have a mouse that has worked with every other KVM switch I've ever seen, an older MS Optical mouse. It has a USB connector that goes into a PS/2 converter.
Unfortunately, it didn't work with this switch, so I had to return the item. I haven't seen a plain PS/2 mouse in awhile (but I haven't looked for one either--a quick google shows that they're still around) but I didn't want to buy a new mouse just to use with the switch.
Simple space saving KVM . I work on multiple computers and occasionally have to bring another computer into the mix for repairs. This KVM is small, well laid out and simple to use.
It has proprietary cables with one end looking like a VGA connector and the other end has three connectors: Keyboard, Video and Mouse. Because of the single head at the KVM side, it takes up less space.
You want your "default" PC - the one that is on all the time - to be connected to port 1. After that, you can use the other ports as you want to. I found that if I didn't have something up and running on port 1, port selections after that were hit-and-miss.
You can switch between screens with a keypress (ctrl ctrl 1, 2, 3 or 4)or you can use a button on the device itself.
It is simple, reliable, small, and affordable. The only possible downside is the proprietary cable.
It has proprietary cables with one end looking like a VGA connector and the other end has three connectors: Keyboard, Video and Mouse. Because of the single head at the KVM side, it takes up less space.
You want your "default" PC - the one that is on all the time - to be connected to port 1. After that, you can use the other ports as you want to. I found that if I didn't have something up and running on port 1, port selections after that were hit-and-miss.
You can switch between screens with a keypress (ctrl ctrl 1, 2, 3 or 4)or you can use a button on the device itself.
It is simple, reliable, small, and affordable. The only possible downside is the proprietary cable.
Working fine . Very nice at 1920x1200. Earlier StarView KVMs could only handle 1600x1200, but this is very clean at the max resolution--modulo the quality of the analog signal coming from the graphics cards. (That is, if you're used to viewing DVI directly on a display panel, you'll find that different cards have quite different analog quality at high resolutions... and perhaps slightly blurred/ghosted by the KVM; real *digital* DVI signal switching KVMs are still very expensive.) Device is painless to set up, does away with the annoying "channel-changing chirp" of earlier StarView models. Also, by merging the PS/2 mouse and keyboard signals on the VGA connector to the KVM, cabling is much neater with this than for models that bring all the cables separately to the KVM.
Best one I have ever used for my company . I run Perry Computer Services for many years now. I bought 4 of these approx 8 years ago and all 4 are still running today. I'm happy to see they are still being sold as I plan on buying more of them. While the controlling keyboard and mouse must be PS/2 the other end connecting to the 4 pc's can use USB to PS/2 adapters just fine. I personally have not tried any adapters connected to the controlling keyboard. All I can say is... these devices work perfect at 1920x1080 with hundreds of computers being plugged and unplugged from them. Robust. Never causes a crash. Only time one did crash was another computer was damaged and when I plugged it in the "fault" caused other machines to crash but once I unplugged the offending bad customer machine the KVM was ok, and the other machines were ok also.
All in all. The best KVM I have ever used. I have gone to many companies to fix their computers and their KVM's can cause crashes when switching between machines quickly but these ones are always "hot" to each computer plugged into them and makes for complete stability.
One drawback to using KVM's with games is sometimes the CTRL key is a fire or jump button and hitting it twice in a row will go into command mode messing up your game. Minor... if you have KVM's you usually arent playing games on those computers! Usually for business :)
David Perry
Perry Computer Services
[...]
All in all. The best KVM I have ever used. I have gone to many companies to fix their computers and their KVM's can cause crashes when switching between machines quickly but these ones are always "hot" to each computer plugged into them and makes for complete stability.
One drawback to using KVM's with games is sometimes the CTRL key is a fire or jump button and hitting it twice in a row will go into command mode messing up your game. Minor... if you have KVM's you usually arent playing games on those computers! Usually for business :)
David Perry
Perry Computer Services
[...]
Works fine . Just as advertised everything needed included, all works and went together easy. Delivery was great
Solid KVM for PS2 style cables . I bought this to replace an older "Connect" KVM that was beginning to act up. The two units appear similar on the surface, but I like this new one much better. Here's why:
- External power supply is optional, not required.
- Cable arrangement, esp. for the main keyboard and mouse is much more accessible.
- Effortlessly handled one computer which had it's own monitor. My old KVM didn't like that set-up for some reason.
- It seems to switch faster than my old KVM.
I'm very pleased with this unit. It does exactly what I hoped it would do, which is pretty rare when so many subtle design decisions can undermine an otherwise good design. The StarTech unit is a winner as far as I'm concerned.
Oh, and the included 6-foot cables were adequate for my set-up.
- External power supply is optional, not required.
- Cable arrangement, esp. for the main keyboard and mouse is much more accessible.
- Effortlessly handled one computer which had it's own monitor. My old KVM didn't like that set-up for some reason.
- It seems to switch faster than my old KVM.
I'm very pleased with this unit. It does exactly what I hoped it would do, which is pretty rare when so many subtle design decisions can undermine an otherwise good design. The StarTech unit is a winner as far as I'm concerned.
Oh, and the included 6-foot cables were adequate for my set-up.
Meet my purpose . I have several laptop and want them to share the same projector and keyboards. It does share the projector very well. It is also very easy to setup. The only problem is that the USB based Keyboard and Mouse will not work after the PS2/USB converter. They all need to be PS2 based. Overall, it meets my purpose of sharing the projector and I do manager to get a PS2 keyboard and mouse.
Cons Review
Nonstardard Cabling . What put me off on this item is the way the ports are configured. My keyboard, video, and mouse cables are preinstalled and not compatible with theirs. So, this item is sitting in my spare parts bin along with its cables.
Feature StarTech 4-Port Black PS/2 KVM Switch Kit with Cables (SV411K)
- All in one KVM kit includes four 3-in-1 cables for a complete out-of-the-box solution
- Compact, space efficient form factor makes this product perfect for desktop applications where space is limited
- The KVM draws power from attached computers so no external power supply/outlet is required
- Unique 3-in-1 cables included prevent keyboard and mouse connectors from becoming loose
- Supports PS/2 keyboard and mouse emulation for error-free PC boot
- All cables are connected to the rear for a more secure and neat connection
- Keyboard and mouse allow for hot plugging without having to turn either the KVM or the PC off
- Supports M/S IntelliMouse(Pro), Explorer, Optical mice
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Product Details
EAN : 0065030789837UPC : 065030789837
MPN : SV411K
Brand : StarTech
Color : Auto scan interval: 3, 8, 15, 30 seconds
Weight : 4 pounds
Height : 4 inches
Length : 10 inches
Width : 8 inches
Binding : Personal Computers
Format : CD
Hardware Platform : Pc
Manufacturer : STARTECH.COM
Model : SV411K
Operating System : Windows
Platform : Windows
Publisher : STARTECH.COM
SKU : 109280DE
Studio : STARTECH.COM
Where To Buy
You can buy StarTech 4-Port Black PS/2 KVM Switch Kit with Cables (SV411K) on Amazon . Click here to Read More
