OT- Another computer question

So, further to my previous post about extending the life of a PS/2 KVM switch, I have spent the day trying to learn about 4 port USB KVM switches.

One question I have is that some switches have VGA ports. Other switches advertise themselves as "DVI" switches and still others as HDMI switches.

I understand that VGA is an analog signal, but in order to enjoy High Definition videos on my monitor, I have to go with a digital signal which is either DVI or HDMI.

Are there such things as DVI and HDMI monitors? Will a DVI KVM switch provide as good picture quality on a DVI montior as a HDMI KVM switch would provide on an HDMI monitor when watching a High Definition video?

I have a VGA CRT monitor now. If I buy either a DVI or HDMI KVM switch, do I also need to buy a new DVI or HDMI monitor?

I understand that HDMI is "High Definition". Is DVI also a high definition video signal and if I buy a DVI KVM switch can I use it with a HDMI monitor? I expect that for typing in a word processor or using a spread sheet, I wouldn't see any difference between VGA, DVI and HDMI, but I'm thinking that if I watch high definition movies I will, and I want that option to be open to me.

I don't know if I'm confused or what, but some one told me about "DVI-I", which apparantly can be used with any monitor because it supports both VGA and DVI, and I was told that if I have a DVI KVM switch I can use a DVI to HDMI cable to connect it to a HDMI monitor. If I did that, would the picture be as clear and crips as if I had a HDMI KVM switch and HDMI monitor?

Finally, this KVM switch advertises itself as a DVI KVM switch:

'StarTech 2 Port USB DVI KVM Switch Kit w/ Cables USB 2.0 Hub & Audio at Memory Express'

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But Designed for high-resolution applications: 1920 x 1200 digital resolution and 2048 x 1536 analog resolution

HDCP Compliant

Does that mean that I can use any monitor with it? I'm hoping I can use this KVM switch with my existing VGA CRT monitor, and then just buy a DVI to HDMI cable in the future when I upgrade to an HDMI monitor?

Any and all help sorting through this jungle of technical acronyms will be appreciated.

Reply to
nestork
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Before you spend the money for the cables and switch, you think you could use something like this?

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I currently use TeamViewer to share two computers, but I have considered trying synergy.

Reply to
Metspitzer

You may want to have a look at your monitor's input, many monitors give you several possibilities.

I have used both vga and dvi and honestly could not tell the difference.

I am sure there is one though.

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Reply to
philo 

Hi, DVI is HD video connector only. HDMI is HD video and carries digital audio as well. Plus it can carry Ethernet cable signal, USB interface, etc. You can buy DVIHDMI convertor plug. DVI gave a way to HDMI when Sony invented it.

Reply to
Tony Hwang

Yes, there are both DVI and HDMI monitors. DVI is virtually "standard" now.

Yes, unless, like some, the switch can convert VGA to DVI or vise versa.

Not without a converter

Reply to
clare

Hi, DVI is only HD digital video signal connector. HDMI can carry HD digital video and audio, Ethernet signal like CAT5 cable and USB signal. If you use DVI, then you have to arrange to have digital audio cable by either optical or digital coax to go with DVI. DVI is going away since Sony invented HDMI.(now going towards version 1.5 specs.) Some monitors or video/audio card has DVI and or HDMI connectors and even VGA one. There is analog HD video cables called component video with 3 cable set. There iss aalos DVIHDMI, DVIVGA converter plug. As much as posible you should gear for HDMI. HDMI cable has 19 wires. Buy a good high speed cables. No question digital format provides superior quality video/audio.

Reply to
Tony Hwang

DVI to VGA is trivial, the converter is a couple bucks. Going the other way is hundreds. Digitizing an analog signal costs you.

Reply to
gfretwell

HDMI is a clever plot by content providers. There is DRM hardware in the standard. When they flip the switch, you won't be able to play unpaid for content through that interface. If you are just playing videos of your kids, or something you bought on Itunes, no problem. If your buddy sent you a copy of "Terminator

12" it won't play.
Reply to
gfretwell

Thanks for all of the responses.

Upon further reading, I'm hearing that another format called "Display Port" is expected to replace HDMI. I'm noting that many of the companies that make KVM switches are now also making them with Display Port audiovideo output ports.

'DisplayPort KVM Switch - 2 Port, USB 2.0 High Resolution KVM Switch | Mac | PC | StarTech.com Canada'

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'ADDERView 4 PRO DisplayPort | Adder Technology'

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'ServSwitch DT KVM Switch DisplayPort with USB and Audio, 4-Port - KV9704A - Shop now - Black Box'

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The problem is that neither of my computers have Display Port ports on their video cards, and I've still got a VGA monitor. Basically, all of my computer equipment is circa 1995, so upgrading the KVM switch that connects everything to everything else means upgrading everything.

I don't want to buy a DVI or HDMI KVM switch if those formats are going to be obsolete in a few years, but I also don't want to buy two new computers and a monitor because my existing equipment won't plug into the new KVM switch because my existing computers do everything I need them to do very well. The bottom line is that I've always found it easiest and least expensive to be on the trailing edge of the technology wave. A refurbished Pentium IV is all I need because I'm not a power-gamer and I don't watch movies on my computer. My computer is basically a typewriter / calculator / rolodex and the slowest thing in the whole system is me. I just don't need the speed. PS/2 ports are all I need, but they're going the way of the dinosaur. I don't know what to do.

I can buy a two port USB KVM switch with VGA output for $25. Can I buy a flat panel monitor that has a VGA port on it? That way, I can buy new computers with USB ports, and any small flat panel monitor is all I need.

Reply to
nestork

Display Port caters to converter cables - you can run virtually ANY format off of a display port output with the right cable.

Reply to
clare

I'd also wonder about "switching" an advanced digital interface, eg HDMI. I'm sure it works fine if by switching you mean selecting one monitor or the other at boot-up time. But I have to wonder what happens if you try to switch say one monitor, TV, whatever, between two computers that are running.... There is some protocol involved, where the monitor and computer figure out what they are connected to. If you disconnect one and connect another different one, will it figure it out or does it need to re-boot, etc? IDK, but potentially I would think there could be problems.

Reply to
trader4

Per Metspitzer:

What is it about TeamViewer that makes you look for an alternative?

I can think of at least one thing vis-a-vis TeamViewer's Android client, but can't think of anything anybody can do better with PC-to-PC.... Am I missing something?

Reply to
(PeteCresswell)

The flat panel I'm using now has VGA + DVI connectors.

There are news groups for PC hardware questions.

Reply to
Dan Espen

Well the thing that makes me want to try synergy is that sometimes I wish I had one monitor for each computer. There is a very old game that doesn't draw the screen fast enough when using TeamViewer. Since it is just a minor thing, I don't worry about it. And that is why I never bothered to try synergy.

The way I have my setup now is both monitors connected to the main computer. I have no monitor, keyboard or mouse connected to the second computer.

The advantage to that setup is that I can pull a video or a web page to the second monitor. I watch Youtube videos on one monitor and web surf on the other.

Reply to
Metspitzer

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