Belkin Flip DVI-D KVM Switch with Remote F1DG102D by Belkin Components
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List Price: Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Belkin Flip DVI-D KVM Switch with Remote F1DG102D
Digital camera Review: It's like magic.
Summary: 5 Stars
Belkin Flip DVI-D KVM Switch with Remote F1DG102D
Before I bought this product, I purchased an IOGEAR product in a big box store that claimed on the front of the package that it would work on a Mac. No matter what we did, it did not work.After an hour on the phone with their tech support telling me I needed to get a non-Mac keyboard to make the product work, I took it back and ordered this Belkin. Yes is is more expensive but the installation was relatively easy and the ease of use is makes it a "10" in my book. I marvel every time I click and thank the Belkin tech innovators for a job very well done. Belkin delivers what they promise.
Digital camera Review: Its OK but there are things to know before you buy
Summary: 3 Stars
I have been using this KVM switch for several months now to switch my 30" Dell monitor running at 2560x1600 between two Dell desktop computers.
The first KVM swtich that I received was terrible. I saw bright flashes followed by a black screen and then a few seconds later it would recover. This happened a few times a day. Every few seconds I would see colored horizontal lines flicker across the screen. The third issue was corrupted video across the entire screen that made everything look gritty. The only way to resovle this was to power everything down and back up again. This is a huge hassle with multiple computers and multiple monitors. Everything tries to auto resize and reconfigure and it can take a long time to get it all straightened out again. Those of you with multi-monitor setups know what I am talking about.
I called tech support numerous times and they had me try many things (switch to a different AC wall plug, swap the two video cables between the two computers, unplug everything and re-plug it all in again, power cycle the switch and so on) none of which solved the problem more than temporarily. Belkin's final tech support resolution to the problem was to tell me to run at a lower resolution. Right. Pay $1,500 for a monitor and then hobble it because of a Belkin Quality control problem. Tech support also told me that this switch did not support 2560x1600 resolutions (a quick reference to the Belkin website that clearly states it can got us past this one). They then told me that this switch did not support dual link DVI which again the website says it does. Clearly there was a delay in getting information from Belkin to their tech support team on their latest products and specs.
I tried to get them to replace the unit on call five and six but they would not. I finally went to the Belkin website and setup a replacement myself. The replacement arrived quickly and every single problem went away and has not returned over the following several months that I have been using it. I have found from Googling that I am not the only person seeing these problems.
The other issue to know before you buy is that the switching speed is not acceptable if you switch back and forth rapidly when you work. I just timed it twice and it took over 20 seconds to switch each time. The video switches reasonably fast (a few seconds) but the keyboard and mouse take a very long time. I only switch a few times a day so it works for me but if I had to switch a lot like I have in the past it would not have been usable. I have used many other KVM switches over the years for work and some switch as fast as you can type. If you need that kind of switching speed then don't buy this switch.
Digital camera Review: KVM Switch
Summary: 4 Stars
Works great but the switch time from one computer to the other could be faster. Cables are bulky and very rigid. Belkin could have incorporated the button switch as a keyboard function.Digital camera Review: Linux Fedora 9 and Vista on Dell Dimension 9200
Summary: 3 Stars
At first attempted to use the Flip USB, non-DVI version and had problems with the keyboard/mouse not being re-powered during a flip, mostly Linux. Returned and bought the DVI version since it was powered by an AC Adapter (USB/VGA version not powered by AC Adapter, uses power from USB.)
Problem still occured but soley with Linux, not Vista. Seemed that USB port would fall asleep and when I would flip to Linux, no mouse or keyboard. I had a Adaptec PCI card laying around with 5 USB ports and installed on a whim to see if there might be a problem with internal, builtin ports - problem solved. Been working for several days without a problem at all, it works! Problem does not appear to be with the Flip, but with USB ports Linux interface. High resolution is not a problem for me as noted by others. However, when powering-up Linux while using Vista and later flipping over, the screen has some resolution problems and a live-reboot is required of Linux (Fedora 9.)
Belkin has software downloadable from their website for Mac/Windows which allows a flip of Video/Mouse and choice of not flipping audio, but it is not available for Linux (Hey Belkin, you got my $$ for this expensive consumer KVM, make a Linux version!)
Digital camera Review: Look before you leap....on this product
Summary: 1 Stars
I owned the Belkin KVM PS/2 switch and it worked well for several years. I converted over to several new computers and read the review in PC Magazine about the Flip, I thought it was time for a USB wireless version. Apparently, for whatever reason, certain operating systems just do not recognize the USB device. My Vista system had no problem, but my XP pro system will not recognize the device. I scanned the internet for solutions, but found no significant solutions. I found MANY people are having the same problem across various OP systems. I contacted Belkin support and have not heard back. I really don't have time to spend spanking the bugs out of a poorly designed/tested product and I don't think you do either. If you purchase this item, I would say you have a good chance it won't operate on at least one of your computers. If you really need to operate multiple computers I would consider a software app such as RADMIN server or VNC software. It does essentially the same thing as a switch.