Price : Too low to display
The Dual View GCS1744 USB KVMP Switch brings dual head video functionality to IOGEARs USB KVM switch technology. Now four dual-display computers can be accessed and controlled from a single console that consists of a USB keyboard, USB mouse, and two VGA, SVGA, or Multisync monitors. In addition, the GCS1744 allows the computers to share USB peripherals connected to the USB peripheral ports, such as printers, scanners, portable hard drives, etc. Recognizing the importance of sound, this switch is also audio enabled. A single microphone can provide audio input to each of the computers, and you can enjoy the audio output of each computer on a single set of speakers.
This review is from : IOGEAR 4-Port Dual View KVM Switch with Audio and Cables GCS1744
Caveats with your KVM sir or madam? . I've been using this product for about six months now. I purchased it to allow me to switch between a Mac PPC (MDD dual 1.25 ghz) and a Dell Optiplex PC. I have several mice, but the one I use most is Logitech's MX Revolution. I left one non-cordless mouse hooked up for reasons I will explain later in the review. Let me say that if you are technically challenged, you may find setting this up a bit daunting, but if you are reasonably comfortable with basic networking and the like, you won't have trouble. I don't use the keyboard shortcuts for the switch at present (maybe I will start, now that I think of it), so I can't yet comment on those.
This unit has worked very well for me. It does take some getting used to. The rocker switches on the front of the unit represent each CPU. Press once and release, and the monitor image switches from PC to Mac or vice versa. Press and hold, and your USB devices also switch.
Which leads to caveat numero uno: The USB ports on this baby are only USB 1.1 compliant, so gamers need not apply, or will have to settle for having devices requiring USB 2.0 connections wired directly to each machine. I think this is the greatest weakness of this unit, but that said, I find it livable. I do some programming and have to switch back and forth between PC and Mac fairly frequently, and this switch lets me do that with relative ease.
When switching between computers, there is a lag time as the CPU and monitor synch up through the switch. Also, if you are using a cordless mouse, it takes a moment to activate (Like 20 to 30 seconds). I leave a wired mouse hooked up to be sure that I can wake a sleeping machine, or in the rare event that the cordless doesn't activate (usually solved by unplugging and replugging the transmitter device). Lately I haven't had to use the corded mouse at all.
I had to laugh when I read the review where the fellow states that when typing at above 60 wpm the switch has trouble keeping up with him. I only occasionally hit 60 wpm, and never when filling in passwords, so I guess I'll just have to take his word for it. I will say that I have never experienced any problem with the (Mac) keyboard connection, and I do type fairly fast when I'm replying to emails or writing lightweight material.
The second caveat for this KVM is that with a set of Altec Lansing speakers and a little boom box, the volume on the speakers must be set at less than full volume. The reason for this is that the audio picks up sounds from the computer otherwise. As you drag a window, say, you get an audible "z-z-z-zzzt!" I have found that the speakers work fine if the master volume switch is set at about half, which actually allows them to play at volumes that most non-rockers will find quite acceptable, even when they wish to soar to unusual Mozartian heights for a few minutes. Perhaps this indicates a grounding problem with my electrical supply, but I mention it here so that you are aware.
One last comment on an intermittent, but minor, phenomenon. Namely a thin line very occasionally appears on the monitor (19" LCD). This disappears spontaneously, is really negligible, and in the rare instance that it persists, seems to disappear completely on rebooting either the CPU or the switch. I mention this because it has occurred once or twice, but it is rare and easily fixed. The monitor connections on the included cables are
So why put up with these several negative points? Because reading reviews for the other switches available in this price range, I found none that dazzled without problems. KVM switches seem generally to be a dodgy proposition, and you would be better off with a Mac Pro dual-core laptop and Parallels, for sure. But you knew that didn't you? You are looking at this because you aren't ready to commit the necessary moolah for a dual OS system, and this might just do the trick.
Well, I think you are right, it will. It's been great for me. I just wish that Logitech would upgrade the USB ports on the switch (two for devices, one for keyboard, and one for mouse) to USB 2.0 compliance. That would be cream on our strawberries! It is important to mention that this switch comes with all the cables you will need to hook up to CPU's to one DVI monitor. Check out the price of cables and you will be impressed with the economy of this choice, if you weren't already.
In summary, I recommend this switch to the serious user who is reasonably technically-minded, and who has a specific need for a device like this. KVM's are not perfect, but this one is good quality and is currently providing me with reliable service, thus allowing me to easily switch between systems to carry out different tasks.
Good luck!
IOGEAR 4-Port Dual View KVM Switch with Audio and Cables GCS1744 Reviews
Works fine no problems for me . I have been using this KVM since June 2008 with no problems. I have it connected to 2 desktop PCs with dual monitors both running at 1280x1024 resolution with a USB keyboard and USB mouse. I've seen in the past that sometimes "bad" KVMs degrade the analog monitor image, but I've had no problems with this unit at the stated resolution. The monitors are LCD, so the refresh rate is only 60Hz. Both PCs are set to "sleep" after inactivity, and I haven't seen any problems related to this either. I normally use the keyboard short-cut to switch it from 1 to 2 (Scroll-Lock, Scroll-Lock, Enter, Enter) so I literally hardly ever have to touch it.
No nonsense KVM switch . Great buy, I have a mac,pc and vaio laptop and needed something to connect all three to my two 22" monitors. This little gadget did the trick!
IOGEAR 4-Port Dual View KVM Switch with Audio and Cables GCS1744 Opinions
Tech Support Woes . The switch now works as promised. Their tech support is horrible and just wants to RMA everything even though it works on an identical system they claimed it was bad. It took me 6 days worth of calls and having to go through the same tech support script with each person to get escalated to their development team to determine the issue. By the way the development team is in California and their Tech Support is not.
Great product for what it is... understand what it isn't . Why are there so few dual monitor KVM's out there?
I bought this and it works great, but you MUST understand that this KVM handles analog video signals ONLY. If you have systems with dual vga ports, or a vga and DVI-I, or vga and DVI-A, you're fine because you can get a converter from DVI-I or DVI-A to vga/hd15 plug format to work with this. If, on the other hand, you have something with DVI-D (such as dell docking stations that have dual DVI-D and a single vga) you are out of luck without an expensive digital-to-analog converter for the second monitor. I had one of these and had to connect it directly to one of the monitors (bypass the kvm) which certainly works (occasionally have to manually select input on that monitor when you switch to that system using the kvm) but loses a little of the convenience you should have with this fairly expensive kvm.
With that said, there aren't many options out there and this thing is small and build like a tank, very easy to use and works as advertised. Particularly like the usb on the back to take your printer with you to each system as you switch... as well as the usb on the front for a thumb drive.
UPDATE:
One other option for an analog signal (necessary for this KVM) is if you have available DisplayPort interfaces (which I had 2 of on my Dell Docking Station). Google it if your not familiar with it. The bottom line is that, while this is a digital format, it was created with intent of being friendly toward legacy display formats. In other words, you can buy a Display port to vga active converter for about $30. The key here seems to be the word "active". It's also very nice that this digital-to-analog conversion can be done with line power (no extra cords or bricks required).
Just OK.... . I've been using this switcher for a few months know to switch between 2 or 3 pc's with dual monitors.
Generally, it works pretty well, but I have noticed that sometimes I have to reboot my PC's so that I can log into my PC's when they have been allowed to site overnight. For some reason, the USB keyboard and mouse just are not recognized by my PC's. It could be a problem with the PC, but regardless, it requires a hard boot to fix.
This it not too big of a deal usually, but can be frustrating sometimes...
Decent Item . It works for me, but not seamlessly. I find that certain things like mice and speakers don't swap out from computer to computer even though each works with each without using this device. So overall it is definetly helpfull, since I mainly bought it so I could swap my monitors back and forth between three computers.
Cons Review Doesn't work with Nforce motherboards . Only after purchasing one and fighting with skipping and sticking keystrokes for a day did I find out from Iogears tech support that not only does this KVM not work well with multimedia and internet style keyboards (and good luck finding a non-multimedia USB keyboard these days) but it also doesn't work with Nforce motherboards, regardless of version. Thats gotta be close to half the desktops that are made now-a-days that this KVM won't work with. As of this writing they do not have a firmware fix and no ETA on when one will be released. What would possess them to release a KVM in such a buggy state is beyond me.
Doesn't recognize anything but standard keyboards . I tried to use this switch with an Logitech Elite Keyboard (very standard cheap keyboard) a mac desktop, a macbook pro and a Dell desktop.
The macs are no longer recognizing the keyboard when connected via the switch. The logitech software doesn't recognize the keyboard. So I contacted customer support. It turns out that they DON'T GUARANTEE THAT THIS SWITCH WILL WORK WITH YOUR KEYBOARD" Here is their incredibly not helpful and illustrative response...
"GCS1764 is tested to work with a wired standard USB keyboard and mice. We cannot guarantee that all of the special keys of your keyboard will work.
Try to connect first your keyboard directly to the computers and check if the keyboard will work. You may try to use another keyboard and connect it to your KVM. If the other keyboard didn't work while it is connected to the KVM, please call our technical support so that we can further assist you.
For further assistance, please contact IOGEAR Customer Advocacy (toll free) 866-946-4327 and refer to ticket no. 206504."
Not compatible with Mac Mini . I've used this kvm switch with a couple PC's without issue but it will not work at all with my brand new Mac Mini. When I plug the USB cable into the Mac Mini I get a warning message that it is drawing too much power from the USB port so Mac OS X has decided to disable the port to protect my computer. I also tried to use a USB power splitter cable to try and draw power from two USB ports instead of one but I get the same warning.
If you have a Mac Mini, do NOT buy this kvm switch.
Product Image
Feature IOGEAR 4-Port Dual View KVM Switch with Audio and Cables GCS1744
- Device Type - KVM Switch
- Form Factor - N/A
- Dimensions WxDxH - N/A
- Weight - 7 lbs
Related Post
Product Details
EAN : 0881317003645
UPC : 881317003645
MPN : GCS1744
Brand : Iogear
Weight : 7 pounds
Height : 4 inches
Length : 14 inches
Width : 9 inches
Binding : Personal Computers
Format : CD
Hardware Platform : Pc
Manufacturer : IOGEAR
Model : GCS1744
Operating System : Windows
Platform : Windows
Publisher : IOGEAR
Size : 4-port
SKU : 10446662
Studio : IOGEAR
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