Dual monitors, kb, mouse, webcam etc KVM laptop and PC

[northernladuk]

I've seen a couple of threads on KVM's but nothing particularly vanilla but there is a bewildering amount of kit that might fill my basic need so what is everyone using in a similar situation?

Dual monitors
Keyboard, Mouse, Webcam
Audio but it's the old jack system (open to changing to USB if it is needed)

Laptop with USB C
Desktop, pretty old no USB C

Graphics card has USB and DVI to DVI but I've got a DVI to HDMI on order so can assume that's dual HDMI now.

What are people using? There appears to be smaller devices with just enough ports right up to powered units so it's a tad confusing so some device recommendations would be nice.

Thank you.

[hobnob]

I found that it was easy to connect 2 computers to 1 monitor, or 2 monitors to 1 computer, but 2 computers to 2 monitors was a challenge!

What type of monitors do you have? DisplayPort 1.2 onwards includes MST (Multi-Stream Transport), i.e. you can have multiple monitors plugged into a single socket.

I have a StarTech KVM:
2Port DisplayPort KVM Switch 4K 60Hz TAA - KVM Switches | Server Management | StarTech.com United Kingdom
I.e. DisplayPort connections from laptop and desktop into the KVM, then another DisplayPort cable coming out which goes through an MST hub into the 2 monitors.

Your laptop will probably support DisplayPort via the USB-C port, but the desktop might need a new graphics card.

The KVM I mentioned above uses separate cables for "main USB" (keyboard/mouse) and graphics. I've seen universal docking stations which use USB-C for everything, and I assume that there are (or will be) KVMs which use the same approach, but I haven't come across any.

[b0redom]

I tried doing this a while ago, and it never worked right. I ended up just cabling the monitors to both devices, and getting:

https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/produ...mx-keys-s.html

and

https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/produ...10-004791.html

Set the bluetooth inputs for both devices and it works perfectly every single time.

[BlueSharp]

I tried doing this a while ago, and it never worked right. I ended up just cabling the monitors to both devices, and getting:

https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/produ...mx-keys-s.html

and

https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/produ...10-004791.html

Set the bluetooth inputs for both devices and it works perfectly every single time.

That's pretty much my setup, both monitors are connected to a laptop hub and also direct to the PC. The laptop hub then has USB-C with power into connect to the laptop Bluetooth keyboard & mouse with quick swap capabilities. Speakers are wired into one of the monitors using a 3.5mm jack so work with both PC and laptop. The only bit that is an issue is the Web cam, but I never need to use it with the PC so not a real issue.

[northernladuk]

Spent a bit more than intend to on this and kit arrives later today. I'll get it set up and if it works I'll post the details.

Never really go why monitors had a ton of USB's and sound ports on them but I see it now. Would have been ideal if I had that for me new requirements but mine are old so don't have that option. The KVM I got has a ton of ports so apart from a very messy wiring solution I could be sorted.

Will update later.

[northernladuk]

It worked!!! Am over the moon.

So to recap.

PC - Keyboard, mouse, webcam, speakers, two screens
Laptop - mouse, one screen.

I bought this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BXRSG6...roduct_details

Bit more than I wanted to pay but saw it on at least two Youtube guides.

Very simple to set up, plugged it all in and away I went. Haven't set the keyboard hotkey up yet so have to press the button on the unit. Added bonus which didn't forsee is with the laptop set up to extended I actually have three screens inc the laptop. BONUS!!!
All I have to do is plug the USB-C '5 in 1' hub and HDMI cable in to laptop when moving it.

So here is the kit list if anyone is interested.

AV Access KVM Switch - linked above
6 x HDMI Cables varying length
1 x DVI to USB converter as my PC graphics card has one USB, one DIV.
2 x USB Host cables - Came with the AV kit linked above. Might not for other KVMs
1 x USB C 5 in 1 Hub - means I could put USB+HDMI in so only plug the USB C in to laptop. Not really needed if it's modern laptop

Only thing I want to do is to replace a couple of the HDMI cables with more appropriately sized ones just to reduce wire mess. It's down behind the PC under table so I can't see it but I hate messy cables. The two to the laptop are way over length but that's for another day.
Wireless mouse and keyboard should be next purchase but I really like my Corsair keyboard. Cool lights and very clicky.

Overall super pleased. Bit more than I wanted to spend but bearing in mind I'll be using it multiple times a day for many years it was a good investment I think.

[PerfectStorm]

I tried doing this a while ago, and it never worked right. I ended up just cabling the monitors to both devices, and getting:

https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/produ...mx-keys-s.html

and

https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/produ...10-004791.html

Set the bluetooth inputs for both devices and it works perfectly every single time.

If you 'forget' the bluetooth devices use one of the PCs to pair the Logitech keyboard and mouse with their included dongle THEN plug the dongle into the KVM as a USB device, it will ensure that the mouse and keyboard switch over when the monitor does

[BoredBloke]

I've got a similar setup but it was a bit of a faff. My Laptop doesn't have a HDMI out, only 4 usb C ports. So I bought this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That allows me to run 2 hdmi cables from my laptop.

The work laptop has a single HDMI out and I had one of these from before...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That connects to the work laptop USB C port. So now I can run 2 hdmi cables from both machines.

I have a single KVM

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I take one of the HMDI's from each machine and stick it into this along with a USB to connect the keyboard and mouse.

I also have a single HDMI switch - like a KVM but it only switches the hdmi ports.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I take the other HDMI from the laptops and stick it into that

So depending on nthe combination of button presses on the 2 switches. I can have one laptop using both of my big screens and the keyboard & mouse while the other laptop just uses its own screen, keyboard and trackpad or I can have each laptop using a single big screen - but only one gets the external keyboard and mouse. It works pretty well but its a rats nest of cables.