KVM 101 - Starter Kit | What you need to know and why it matters 

unfortunately not many general users know the existence and use of KVM.

Glad it was helpful!

Yes

Yes

I do think it is awkward lmao. I think if there is a remote control, then it'll be perfect. But I think this is an okay compromise - I can keep my desk tidy enough.

Difficult to tell. The KVM should be dependent on your monitor's resolution.

@@TechCritter 3440X1440 21:9 if I want to use display port for my personal PC for gaming and then HDMI for work laptop, not sure which KVM to go for

Happy to help - here are the answers 1. That I'm unsure, I just use a monitor here 2. Yes. If you want to connect everything like what I did here, then you'll have to get either USB 4 or Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 cable. We did another video on another channel here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YGj1ZyJBctk.html 3. I don't think there is a way to daisy-chain KVMs as of now, you can connect USB hubs to the dock to get more ports. Displays might be more complicated as I don't think KVMs have DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST) support.

Not with this monitor, unfortunately. I'm not sure if KVM daisy-chaining monitor exists now 🤔

Thanks for watching! To summarize - you need a KVM with: One Thunderbolt for Mac One DisplayPort/HDMI for PC I'm not sure how it'll work but you can convert that Thunberbolt port into a HDMI/DisplayPort by buying another adapter. I'm absolutely not going to comment anything about the delay as there might be some noticeable lag.

@@TechCritter Yeah I thought of that, I have a couple of thunderbolt->HDMI/USB adapters but I'm not sure those will work in "reverse", if you know what I mean. Currently these adapters connect 2 USB 2.x devices as inputs and an HDMI port as output to a USB-C/Thunderbolt device, but if I plug it into a Thunderbolt KVM I'm going to want those USB 2.x ports to work as outputs (the other side of the cables connect to the PC) and the HDMI port as input (connecting also to the PC, instead of connecting to a screen). I feel like I might need a dedicated "converter" if I want that kind of functionality, but if it works that way too I'd definitely like to know! :D

if video isn't a problem, why not use a keyboard and mouse only kvm ? Youd connect this kvm to the computer + mac, and have about 4 ports to utilize, and be able to switch between the two via the kvm? allowing the video to auto pick up by what is on or manually adjusting via the screen menus themselves ? Jelly on your G9, im looking at getting the new 57 inch ... but i dont think theres a kvm that supports that resolution ..

@@DevArt59 I actually bought a KVM for mouse and keyboard, but it only worked for about a day then stopped working. I think I might have gotten a lemon.

I think any KVM switches will work for your case. However, the refresh rate will probably be locked at 60Hz only.

@@TechCritter so my only choice here is a switcher that switches the mouse and keyboard to one device to another. Cause honestly i need that full refresh rate while gaming

@@TechCritter also mmy only option in this case right here is probably getting the gigabyte m27q due to the built in kvm. At least no problems in getting that hugh refresh rate for the monitor

Yeah that's a compromise. For me, I think this monitor is working fine for me since everything is integrated. The programming is also a once-off thing too since it has on-board memory.

Hopefully I'm not too late. Unfortunately, there's still no KVM that supports so high refresh rate and resolution (especially 21:9 monitors)

I'm not sure if KVM switches support daisy chaining monitors. Can't find any obvious documentation about this

Dell UltraSharp U4021QW

Dell does have some monitors with that spec, I think. I believe it's not a high refresh rate monitor either

@@TechCritter thank for the reply I have decided to spread the functions I need the kvm to perform over different devices. Have decided to use a usb sharing hub for the peripherals and my laptops docking station for charging. I will just plug video cables into my monitor. Much cheaper and simpler and doesn't sacrifice refresh rate.

Not the video but the teleprompter. I'm using the GuliKit Elves Pro controller.

Not going to buy one just to review - already got everything I need in this monitor. AFAIK Level1 Tech's KVM only has up to 4K, nothing beyond that resolution.

Honestly, depends on how much "gaming" you want. The Gigabyte's KVM series of gaming monitors are the best of both worlds - but as far as I've heard from my colleague who's actually using that monitor, he said it's buggy. The conventional off-the-shelf KVMs have 4K 60fps at most, so if you're okay with that then I guess that's your best bet. We're talking about PC with DisplayPort btw. HDMI versions on KVMs is another issue on its own.

@@TechCritter thanks so much for this response. Yes 4K 60hz would be perfect, with dual DP monitors. Most brands have really inconsistent reviews, so was wondering if you had a particular one you’d recommend?

link please

There are a few but 4K resolution only, not ultrawide. So this monitor still remains as a unique KVM

Thanks for watching - and sure, I can explain them in a short way. Docks are those typical MacBook USB-C dongles for example - they plug into your USB-C port and gives you ports like HDMI, some USB-A and maybe Ethernet and SD card reader. That's about it. Some dongles have built-in chargers and and also some other functionality, hence becoming a "dock" in a sense. KVMs does what docks do, but comes with a switcher too. That same dock can be used by two (or more) computers. Everything connected to that dock can just be switched and everything jumps to the other computer.

Worth saying that, although people fail to make a useful distinction, the best distinction worth making here is that HUBs are for extending & consolidating connectivity (multiplexing), whereas DOCKs are (strict sense) a purpose-built connection for something. So, a twin-plug USB-C hub whose dimensions perfectly fit the left side's dimensions on the MBP would be a legitimate DOCK for the MBP. Then switcher is something with, well, a switch (either by *:1, unique selection, or SET:n, set-routing). Then if you've got a *:* switch, you've got yourself a MATRIX. (Industry standard term). These typically aren't set-configurable, but to be honest I really have no idea how you'd even do the UI for that. They are (?always) configurable to do output/input-set switching, but just implicitly (there is no EXPLICIT concept of a set of peripherals for matrix-switches, but you can manually switch-over sets using your brain each time). Lastly we have KVMs. KVMs are (typically) *:n switches + hubs. Now of course, "hubs" isn't really a necessary label here since the * part of *:n obviously indicates multiplexing. So, in summary, one could say it's (KVM is) a (two-way) sets-switch of multiple connectivity types, with the concept of switches & sets cohesively designed into the UI. One last possible technicality I could see worth making is that a KVM is only a "hub" of it provides multiplexing of one or more of the connectivity types. Ok so, eg it offers 4 USBa, or 2 USBc. Multiple HDMI could theoretically qualify it as a "hub" imo (although in spirit this would more closely be a "splitter" if it mirrors, or a "matrix" if it routes), but then it really starts to erode its original purpose of being a set-switch. I can't see this being a product as it would be way too convoluted to design, and confusing to use. So we can safely say that a KVM is *necessarily* a device-set-switch (input & output for USB + single HDMI output), and a hub if it uses USB-C to multiplex the two sets of computer connections into a single connection each. The more "exclusive" definition of the "hub"-characteristic would be if it offered "more USB ports than necessary", though after two it's kind of hard to tell if that third port is "necessary" for eg a camera, and even the second one isn't entirely necessary if you use a keyboard that happens to have a pointing device integrated into the firmware. So yea, probably better to just say: KVM is a (hub + switch), and leave it at that, avoiding your trip to the asylum 😂. BTW, would love it if you did a video more in depth about KVM workflows. There's a lot to the topic & your knowledge & expertise would be much appreciated! Cool topics like daisy-chaining limitations, USB-C cordage requirements, direction of the field, RS-232 network-based programmable control for the switching, stuff like that.

Not the dongle. I don't want to use Bluetooth

I know KVMs are very niche, but reviews are VERY important for KVMs

@@TechCritterIn this case your video didn't help me, because I think the KVM switch I'd like doesn't exist...yet, however I'm impressed with the style and the level of detail. KVM has become incredibly complicated in comparison with the days of the old SVGA KVM switches, and it's good to know someone is reviewing what's going on. My Lenovo monitor with built-in USB ethernet managed to supply a phantom IP address to my Ubuntu machine which I believe could only have come from my Macbook wifi. Screwed me up in a very subtle way and wasted an evening until I blacklisted the device from Ubuntu (my ubuntu box had it's own NIC). So really, you need complete control over all these peripherals if you share USB, probably an app to manage it all and the built-in software in the monitor just can't cut it. Don't get me started on PIP/PBP which I thought would be handy in Zoom calls but it's just too frustrating to manage all this stuff by the 4-button menu on the monitor!

Possible, if we have the KVM module that supports those requirements. Probably needs DisplayPort.

Keyboard video mouse

You can change the playback speed in the settings. It’s helped me so much.

And...??? They're not meant for gaming

@@TechCritter Ok, then tell me how a KVM is better than switching the monitors via software and buying an USB Switch. You‘re literally limiting your setup with a KVM for potential upgrades. The only reasonable argument for a KVM these days would be if your monitor doesn‘t have any way of controlling it via DDC / CI and you absolutely have to use this one monitor for some reason. Even then you can just buy new monitors, if you don‘t already have a setup which is in need for a KVM it literally just means you can spend your money more wisely. A KVM for 150$+ is just wasted. Expecially with 1440p and 4K with wide aspect ratios are getting popular. It‘s just an outdated solution to something which got fixed on other ends.

Different users have different needs. I for one don't have the space for multi-monitors so a KVM is great. And no, KVMs can use DDC/CI. More and more new monitors are having a KVM integrated inside, by the way.

@@TechCritter I'm was not saying that KVM's can not use DDC/CI commands. I was saying you can use the DDC/CI interface without a KVM and just skip it entirely. Therefore, if your monitors supports it or has the inteface implemented to have DDC/CI commands processed you could just skip the KVM entirely and just switch via software. DDC/CI commands are also accepted if the monitor is not switched to this particular output, effectively switching the monitor as i would be controlling it by the OSD from the monitor - just via software from the computer. Doing so and buying a USB HUB that can switch between 2 or more computers as desired is effectively a much better and cheaper solution to a KVM.

@@DamTheFammy employer doesnt allow me to install drivers

Your answer is found here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9R4iEc2dBjk.html