IOGEAR 4-Port Dual View Dual-Link DVI KVMP Switch with Audio and Full Set of Cables (GCS1644 TAA Compliant) 4-Port with Cables

IOGear MiniView Dual View Link DVI KVMP Switch, Model GCS1644 My story as a user: I have 2 computers: my home desktop assembled as a custom configuration based on ASUS PRIME B-350 PLUS motherboard (has VGA, DVI and HDMI video outputs) and Lenovo ThinkPad T460s laptop with docking station (has VGA, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs) from my work. Also, I occasionally need to connect more computers when my friends ask me to fix something in theirs’s systems. The switch was purchased to replace my previously used StarTech 4-port dual view DVI and VGA switch. The previous switch was not able to support full resolution 2560x1440 of new ViewSonic VG2755-2K monitor, so I spent a certain time to choose a new switch which can fully support the new monitor. Keeping in mind that I need a switch which could support also one of my old monitors (ViewSonic VG2428wm, VGA/DVI, 1920x1080), I was looking for a HDMI or DVI switch, because these video standards are more compatible with each other than any other pair among VGA, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort. I was aware of multiple user reports about incompatibility issues with switches when using various adapters which allow to interconnect between different video standards listed above, so I was making my choice very thoroughly. Most of DVI-based KVMs on market offer support just up to standard HD resolution (1920x1080 @60Hz), but suddenly I found this IOGear GCS1644, which advertises support up to 4K @ 30Hz resolution. I decided to purchase this item and looks like I did the right choice. The switch supported all my video configuration right away: both computers are connected to the switch by pair of DVI and HDMI video ports, using DVI/USB/audio cables provided with the switch and separately purchased HDMI-to-DVI conversion cables. Monitors are connected to the switch analogically: old ViewSonic VG2428wm is connected to DVI A port on the console section of switch through a standard DVI cable, new ViewSonic VG2755-2K is connected by HDMI input via HDMI-to-DVI conversion cable to console DVI B port on the switch. In this configuration, the switch allowed to select the correct resolution 2560x1440 @60Hz of new monitor without any issues and keep appropriate 1920x1080 @60Hz for the old monitor. If desktops of both computers are active, switching among them takes about 2-3 seconds, which is normal. Switching in this scenario doesn’t cause any opened windows rearrangement on desktops, which is great. If some of desktops are in sleep mode, switching between them takes more, up to 5-6 seconds. In this scenario, some windows rearrange on desktop happened just occasionally, not much at all. Note: not all models of keyboards and mice work right away. Initially, I was trying to use Logitech G613 wireless keyboard and Logitech G703 wired mouse, which didn’t work at all, until I connected a standard Microsoft wired keyboard and mouse instead. After, I could make the Logitech mouse working just switching off the mouse emulation mode in the switch via specific hotkey combination described in the manual. But the Logitech keyboard looks like doesn’t work with the switch. Pros: 1. The switch confirms the ability to support video modes as advertised, with great compatibility among DVI and HDMI video standards 2. Full set of appropriate cables is provided in the retail package, keeping a better price in comparison with competitor’s products 3. Manual is provided with the switch, containing a useful information about tuning up the device using hot keys (for example, how to switch off the mouse emulation mode described above) 4. Option of firmware upgrade is provided! As an IT guy, I consider this as a huge plus. Cons: 1. Apparently, not all kinds of keyboards and mice are supported right away. Overall: It’s a great product, and I give it 5 stars despite of minor issues I told about, because they are resolvable for a low cost. I highly recommend it to anybody who needs a similar hardware configuration.

I've been using an eight port analog VGA PS/2 KVM for years and it's served me well but it was time to step up. I no longer needed eight ports and I wanted dual monitors and to go totally digital so after some research I ordered this IOGEAR KVM. It's perfect. I had to order a couple adapters - a DisplayPort to DVI and one analog VGA to DVI for my work laptop but the KVM handled everything perfectly. The picture is clear with no ghosting (there was a very faint ghosting on my old Analog KVM) and the IOGEAR switches quickly between machines. I can finally use a USB keyboard (had PS/2 before) so that's plus. Overall, it's a great upgrade. I have two 27" ViewSonic monitors connected and three PCs - primary Linux box, Windows 7 machine for game modding and my work laptop running WIndows 7. Pros: No ghosting (digital), fast switching, simple to use, audio sharing, compatible with converters like DisplayPort to DVI and HDMI to DVI. Cons: My only con is the price which I think is a little high. Still, I didn't expect to get a dual monitor KVM dirt cheap.

I have a total of 4 computers I wanted to be able to dual monitor, and after a lot of searching around, this KVM seemed to be the best bet. So far, I haven't had any issues with it. Switching is fast and easy from the keyboard shortcuts (I actually like the beep others here have complained about). Here are a few random things to note: 1.) I'm using a simple USB wired mouse and keyboard, so I haven't run into any of wireless issues I saw others complaining about here. 2.) This KVM is also rack mountable (description doesn't say it is). It doesn't come with the ears, but I contacted IOGEAR support and they're sending me a pair free of charge (NOTE: I haven't gotten them yet,.. here's hoping). 3.) There can be issues with older video cards that give you 1 VGA and 1 DVI output (two of my computers have this). But, I did find a way around it (there may be a better way, but this method worked for me. After a bit of research it seems that any kind of adapter that would convert a VGA signal to a DVI one wouldn't work (something about analog vs digital). I also had some DVI to VGA adapters that I tried on the KVMs end (so,... backwards) with no luck. Maybe there's something out there that would have worked, but Google didn't help. :-( Instead, I opted to try something a bit crazy, but it ended up working out very well. I used the "Sewell Hammerhead VGA to HDMI Converter, 1080p" to convert the signal to HDMI and then used "Cables Unlimited PCM-2296-06 HDMI to DVI D Cable, 6 feet" (got both of these here from Amazon) to convert the HDMI signal to a DVI-D signal. It may be a bit cumbersome, but I now have all of my computers setup with two monitors on a KVM. Keyboard switching works great. 4.) I saw a comment that upgrading this thing requires a serial port on your computer. This is unfortunately correct, this KVM was released a while ago (~9 years ago). I'll just keep it on the firmware it came with. :-( 5.) I did experience the "grounded sound issue" that others here have been talking about. Disconnecting the mic connections seemed to fix it (I personally don't need a mic hocked up, but if you do want one, if no audio is playing you will here the static, and it bothered me enough that I disconnected the mic, so it is annoying). Summary: I would have given this 4.5 stars instead of 4 if possible. There are a few issues with it that keep it from being perfect (the audio issue and the serial port firmware upgrade method). However, even with those issues, I would still buy this again, as I can now have a dual monitor setup across 4 different computers.

I have an office Laptop dock and my home PC hooked up to two monitors. Running a modest 1680 x 1050 so did not have worries about the specs of this fellow. The KVM unit itself is a solid hefty thing, feels very nice to handle. The cables are also thinner than usual and less cumbersome to deal with. The unit is finished well and looks high end and seems to be built to last. I have a Kinesis Freestyle keyboard and a Evoluent mouse. Hooked them both up to the rear console ports: my Keyboard was recognized just fine but the mouse wouldn't work (cursor only moved horizontally!). My keyboard has a funky way to handle NumLock and ScrollLock so I could not get the ScrollLock-ScrollLock sequence to work either. Mouse worked just fine when I connected it to the front port though. However, losing the front port was not something I was happy with so I kept digging through the reviews and finally read some comments about the mouse emulation mode being a problem. Thank you! Since my KB wouldn't work to get into the "Hotkey Setup Mode", I hooked an old dell kb up and did the following after getting into the HSM each time (HSM sequence: Keep NumLock pressed, hit and release the - key and then release NumLock. You'll likely get a beep) 1) HSM r Enter (to set default settings just in case stray cosmic rays did their thing: did not fix my mouse) 2) HSM m (to disable mouse emulation which did fix my mouse issue! Yay!) 3) HSM t (to switch my hot-key sequence from ScrollLock|ScrollLock to Ctrl|Ctrl) Works pretty well now. I just wanted the video bits and kvm video switching works just great. No flickering or otherwise nasty artifacts with my Samsung 226BW monitors from either the laptop dock or my desktop. The KVM seems to be kinda picky about the interval between hits of the ScrollLock key (Ctrl in my case). Hit them too fast and nothing happens. Like some one else mentioned, doing it slow, like giving a 1 sec gap seems to work. Took one star out for the serial port business for the Firmware update and the lack of warnings for the mouse-emulation bit in the scanty manual. I can buy a serial-to-usb connector like TRENDnet USB to RS-232 Serial Converter TU-S9 (White) if I need but it is still a pain (and not sure if it will work either). The KVM is full of USB ports in the back and one in the front, would it have killed them to put one more in for FW update on a 500$ product!

I found that the mouse port on my model at least, is pick as the devil. Ended up a logitech wireless worked with it, but my preferred mouse for the array of computers this KVM runs, a logitech wired model was best put into the front USB hub as it did not operate properly in the mouse port. With that removed, the monitor support is SPECTACULAR! and had no issues with my MS Digital Media Pro 3000 keyboard that I love for this particular array of machines. One other reason it did not get 5 stars was that it has only 2 hub ports, which for the money paid, is a bit few as some lower cost dual dvi models out there give you up to 4. I Was a bit let down about that especially since I have to put my preferred mouse into one, and use the wireless mini mouse on the mouse port (means I can choose between two mice - had not planned on that) and weird that the KVM liked that. I plan to try some higher class wireless mice in the port to see how they do soon, but for now, I think four stars is a fair rating. No issue with HP Monitors (2711x to be exact) 1920x1080 @ 60hz (or "1080p") as they say. Specs say will handle more, but with astigmatism it has to bigger than 27" before I go to 2500x1600 or one of these higher resolutions. Love the low interference on the speakers too (a failure of other KVM makers) does not mean there is none, means if you own multiple KVMs (and I do) this one has the lowest interference. Its an FCC thing, the devices need to be on a different circuit than the speaker if you expect to have ZERO interference. Just stating the facts about interference on audio sharing KVMs, its not unique to IO Gear. This came at a premium price, I will say, and its reliability and the fact it has not locked up on me once despite such frequent changes, made it worth it, but its a stretch for some I know. It came with good quality cables, I am using some of them and some of my own. Varies depending on which port, but the cables are worth a good $100 of the price, so consider that into your equation is that you won't need to buy cables like with some bargain brands.