1 monitor 2 inputs

grudas · 14 Oct 2011 at 21:37

hey

basically i need a switch-box kinda thing that would let me plug 2 inputs in to it(2pc's for e.g.) and with a flick of a switch i would be able to switch from one to another on a single monitor

now i've tried the cheap ebay alternative boxes which don't work and get washed out colours (guess because they are not powered and don't have enough power to generate a strong enough signal)

what other options are there?

any suggestions appreciated

Thanks

Tomsk · 14 Oct 2011 at 21:50

you need a KVM

PhillyDee · 14 Oct 2011 at 22:38

Get a monitor with vga and hdmi. Then connect a pc via either.

I do this, works fine. Button on the side selects between inputs.

grudas · 15 Oct 2011 at 01:23

Tomsk said:
you need a KVM

got 3 switch boxes all of them got the same problem "washed out text"

e.g.

PhillyDee said:
Get a monitor with vga and hdmi. Then connect a pc via either.

I do this, works fine. Button on the side selects between inputs.

thats the expensive option

i've had this in mind but its just not worth it as im sure there are cheaper options available to do a simple switch between 2 inputs :eek:

PhillyDee · 15 Oct 2011 at 10:34

Could it be the cables? Swop them between pcs.
Could it be the pcs? If it always appears on the same channel, its the switch, otherwise, sounds like the pc or cable is the problem.

grudas · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:13

Its the switch ive seen some more expensive mains powered switches.. ill have try one of them soon

Tomsk · 15 Oct 2011 at 16:00

grudas said:
Its the switch ive seen some more expensive mains powered switches.. ill have try one of them soon

Do the ones you've tried have a rotary switch at the front to switch between inputs? If so, they are really bad - nothing more than a load of wires inside.

Some 'unpowered' one are actually powered from the PS2 or USB sockets on the PC's they're attached. I've had a couple like these and they were quite good. The difference between a direct and via KVM connection from PC to monitor was not as bad as the example you've shown.

TigerUK · 16 Oct 2011 at 19:53

PhillyDee said:
Get a monitor with vga and hdmi. Then connect a pc via either.

I do this, works fine. Button on the side selects between inputs.

you can get monitors and DVID and HDMI

or 2xHDMI

Which would be preferable over VGA methinks.

OP. KVM switches can be slightly expensive, you're looking at 30-40 quid for decent ones..

Unless you're on a really really tight budget, I'd treat myself to a nice modern monitor like the

e2473hds iiyama which is going for around £150 right now.

grudas · 18 Oct 2011 at 23:28

well I guess ill have to save up for a monitor then, seems the best bet

thanks for the responses