OmniView SOHO Series 4-Port KVM Switch with Audio PS/2 and USB Platform
1 There are better KVM solutions
Besides the fact you have to buy the cables separately as others have mentioned, Belkin support is horrible. The automated system consistenly disconnects the call, requiring going through their operator. My 4-port KVM stopped functioning after six months. There's no information on the web to help either. It's as if there IS no way to fix a KVM that doesn't work. Flash upgrading is a joke. I followed the procedure directly from Belkin's website. So I had to RMA replace it. Trust me, Belkin doesn't care about its customers and arrogance will be their downfall. Go with IOGEAR - they include all the cables with the KVM switch for the price of Belkin's without cables.
2 Rip Off!
I'm evaluating the DVI version. The cables are sold seperately, so what's the point to buy a KVM without cables?!?
Lastly, hearing the problems doesn't surprise me, as working with the two port version, I had some problems where computers becames unresponsive.
3 DVI version sucks
cable won't fit
Power supply cable covers other connectors
mouse does not not work
includes flash update cable but web site has no flash images
If you don't plug a keyboard into it sits there and just beeps
What idiot designed this trash.
4 Just a warning from an experience with the DVI version
I'm extremely unhappy with the Belkin OmniView SOHO Series 4-Port KVM DVI Switch with Audio. I'm sure most of this applies for the VGA version
1) It is nearly impossible to connect a cable to the console DVI Connector. Belkin had to overnight a special extender to connect the monitor DVI cable to the KVM.
2) Connecting the Power Adapter to the KVM blocks one of the peripheral USB ports.
3) It's absolutely impossible to put on the cover (i.e. cable management cover) if you connect the four (Belkin) cables to it.
4) Connecting only two PCs with a resolution of 1600x1200 to the KVM resulted in green shadows for one connection. (both NVidia cards GeForce 4 (4200 series) and a Geforce 5 (5200 series)
5) The Microsoft Wireless Keyboard doesn't work as stated in the manual. I did manage to plug in the wireless dongle connector to the USB mouse port on the KVM but now I can't use the hotkeys to switch between computers. Belkin has also indicated that wireless keyboards don't always work as stated in the manual
6) There isn't a FAQ or software/firmware upgrade listed for this device. I would recommend checking out the belkin support pages or lack there of.
5 Solid KVM Switch With Audio
I bought this over a year ago, and am very pleased with it.
It was easy to set up, and works well with all my Windows XP Pro boxes. Switching between PCs is fast enough, with only about a second delay (typical of KVMs in general) to restore the mouse pointer. Once locked to a particular PC, the KVM is very stable. I've had no problems with either the video display or keyboard/mouse functionality on any of my Windows-based systems and can play games as well as perform all normal office-type tasks with no noticable performance degradation.
The only issue I have is with losing mouse control when switching to my Red Hat 9.0 server running X (not a big deal since I primarily access the terminal from the command line on remote anyway). There is no issue when I boot up the Linux box and use the KVM without switching to another workstation. I suspect the problem may be fixable, but it has never been enough of an issue for me to pursue it, given my needs.
The unit has the unique ability to support stereo audio as well as firmware upgrades. In addition, the cable management is cleverly built in to the sleek housing as opposed to completely exposed as in most square footprint KVMs, thus saving a small amount of desktop space.
Overall, in my experience, the Omniview has been a good KVM for the money.
Pros:
Supports Audio switching
Unique cable management design
Supports most common and higher-end video resolutions
No noticable performance loss with games or everyday tasks
Upgradable firmware
Cons:
Sketchy support for non-Windows OSes (though I haven't yet upgraded the firmware)
Does not support 5.1 channel audio
Requires specific type of KVM cable (male male)
cable management design can be limiting
6 Truly frustrating!
Like a '54 XK120, this thing is beautifully styled, and utterly unreliable. It randomly loses connectivity to both my Intellimouse, and my MS USB keyboard. 30 - 90 secondes go by and then it reconnects, sometimes to redisconnect within seconds, sometimes it'll stay connected for half an hour at a time. Weirdly, it seems to maintain connectivity to the Monitor - though often as a generic display rather than as a flat panel Samsung. I used an IOGear two port KVM successfully until I got the third machine going, but I got sucked in by the style. my mistake! I give it 0 stars for performance, 4 stars for style, average, 2 stars.
7 Linksys and IOGear out-perform this failed product.
In my search to find one adequate KVM switch to work with Windows and Linux, I now own five KVM switches (around $450 worth). The Belkin Omniview is the worst of the lot. I have one Omnicube which gets by O.K. A two port IOGear all-in-the-cable model works great, but IOGear's four port models have intrusive keyboard shortcuts that interfere with applications and games. However, the 4 port IOGear model came with a full set of cables. Ultimately, the Linksys SVIEW04 was the grand solution. The SVIEW04 provides all the quality of the IOGear models and also allows the keyboard shortcuts to be disabled.
Unfortunately, the magazines that have been recommending these products haven't been doing their research. You must investigate all the specifications, and you must also read the entire manual before buying. Someone might have noticed that the firmware update feature on the Omniview isn't well documented. Then, there must be testing of all the features with multiple operating systems; and clearly, those recomending these products have failed to do this.
Linksys (the best) and IOGear are clearly better products than this one.
8 Reliable, but slow and annoying.
Monitor switching between computers is fast, but it takes more than a second to regain mouse and keyboard control after switching.
If using the Logitech mouse driver, scroll wheel functionality is lost after switching several times, and you must reboot your PC to get it back. However, the manual recommends that you remove vendor-specific drivers and use only the Microsoft driver. This works for me & it never seems to drop synch with the mouse or keyboard, but I would like the battery-level indicator for my Logitech wireless mouse, which only the Logitech driver provides.
The hot-key for switching is ScrollLock-ScrollLock, which I prefer to CTRL-CTRL (Linksys KVMs use CTRL) because CTRL is too easy to tap twice by accident.
The KVM beeps when accepting the hot-key and switching between computers, which quickly becomes annoying in a small office environment.
The Belkin also has firmware update capability; however, they have not released any firmware updates yet. If they release something that speeds up the mouse/keyboard and allows me to disable the beeping, I would rate this KVM 5/5.
9 Works, but nothing to rave about
Like other reviewers, I am not very excited about mine:
- It was expensive and it takes an unnecessary amount of space on your desk.
- The most annoying is the slow response, felt anytime you hold a key down, like backspace for example.
- If you have a USB mouse AND keyboard, you will not be able to fit two USB->PS/2 converters side by side. You'll either have to get a short PS/2 extension to move the converter outside the KVM case, or get a USB keyboard with a USB outlet on it.
- The flash upgrade feature is useless, Belkin has not posted any updates in a year.
But it works, and that's what counts after all, so if you haven't seen anything better, it'll do the job.
10 Doesn't work with Linux!
I have an older Omnicube and had attached two linux boxes, one solaris box and one windows box. I needed another KVM and liked the audio component on this device. I also had good results with my old Omnicube, so I decided to get this one. Unfortunately, this device does not work correctly with linux! With one RH linux box and one windows box, everything is peachy; however as soon as you add the second linux box onto this KVM, the mouse goes haywire. I have tried changing mice, switching ports, going between USB and PS/2, and different cables. I finally called Belkin and was told there was one TID for linux and it involved changing the XF86Config to use the PS/2 protocol instead of IMPS/2. Well I tried that and as soon as I restarted X, the mouse went haywire again. I have never returned anything mail order because of the hassle, but this device is useless to me so it is going back!
11 The switch that doesn't
I'm pretty dissatisfied with the 2 KVM switches I've used so far. This (the Belkin OmniView) is the second one. An IOGear was my first and it suffered primarily from a problem where it masked the true identify of my mouse and keyboard (it only offered "standardized" versions of both to attached systems). They both barely perform the basics.
What's wrong with this unit?
1. It's not trustworthy. It will sometimes lose contact with my mouse, keyboard or both switching between systems.
2. Following the directions to remedy the problems makes the value of this KVM much smaller. Belkin asks you not to use any additional software related to your mouse or keyboard. I'm trying this without success on the mouse and haven't tried it on the keyboard. The major bummer here? I won't be able to use the handy media, Internet, and email features provided on my keyboard. I will say that a Belkin 8-port KVM I have in the office works great with my Microsoft keyboard (including the extra buttons for media/etc.). However, I need this to work with other brands as well (I remotely suspect that wireless keyboards, my primary focus, are even more troublesome since the transmitters don't like losing power when switching systems).
3. Belkin doesn't support today's more enhanced keyboards and mice (I've tried Logitech's and one other brand). The keyboard manufacturers likewise don't support KVMs. What a kroc!
If you can avoid KVMs, do. Try using Windows XP's Remote Desktop feature, creative keyboard/mouse placement and/or just using the handy multi-input features of most newer monitors.
12 Works well but it's expensive
This works flawlessly. No ghosting or image degredation. However it's biggest drawback is that you have to buy the cables and they are expensive particularly if youget the gold standard which you should to minimise any ghosting. Others may have used the cheaper cables and they may work but even they are costly. Hopefully the price will come down in time. But if you want something that works go for it. Also you may not need this model with audio inputrs if your speakers have two inpout chanells. SO you maybe able to cut cost that way. Ionly use this fo r two computers.
13 What a pile of junk. I wish they had 0 stars.
I'm done using Belkin. I have two of these "SOHO USB" units, and they both display similar problems: Certain machines won't boot past POST when attached, keyboard and mouse randomly fail to work on boot, video loads in wrong resolution unless you set KVM focus on the booting machine clear through to when your OS boots into the GUI. One of my configurations requires me to keep mice attached to the machines directly -- if I attach them to the KVM the machines lock on boot. I just picked up the 4-port Belkin "Pro2" (thinking I'm getting what I pay for with the SOHO model), and it's even worse! I can boot successfully (on three different systems) perhaps one out of every 8 tries.
Finally, on a recommendation from our IT dept., I tried the IOGear Ultra. I attached three different machines (including one Sun box), and everything booted up without a hitch! I'm done tearing my hair out over Belkin's quirks. If you run into similar problems once you pick up a Belkin model, I'd suggest you give IOGear a try. It opened my eyes.
14 So far very good.
I have had this product for about two weeks. It works well. My monitor setting seemed to need to be adjusted for a fall off in brightness. I'm uncertain whether this is the KVM's fault or my imagination.
The first time the switch connects in a session the connection takes a little longer. Once the connection is made switching is pretty fast. Sound seems fine but I'm no audiophile so I'm just endorsing that the general system sounds and game effects come through. I don't use a mic yet so no comment there.
No cables come with the unit. Cables can be expensive. I found cable sets for this unit using froogle. I paid about 14 a set. There are "all in one" cables available too. They are quite a bit pricier around 30.
If I'd do anything different it probably would be to get a unit that can switch from the keyboard. Those are OSD switches for On Screen Display. Fortunately for me, it's no biggie. By the way, I was worried about the USB wiring setup because I didn't know if one USB port would handle both the keyboard and mouse. It does. So, when you buy a set of cables you can save a cable by using USB if your computer has one available working USB port.
I'd recommend this product as long as people realize you have to hit the external switch on the device, you may experience a slight fall off in monitor brightness, and you have to buy cable sets for each computer to work with the device.
15 Nice, but . . .
I have used this KVM switch for a couple of months, and it has great features, especially the switching of mic and audio out. It does have one nasty habit, though. It will sometimes just forget what it is and what it's connected to. At these times, one of the connection lights will flash, but none of the four buttons to select any of the machines will work, and any machines booted during this period will not "see" the keyboard or mouse. I don't have a standard method for correcting the problem, but if you randomly unplug and replug various keyboard and mouse connectors, it will re-sync and continue to work until the next time. Note: This only happens when all four machines are not in use and then one or more are started up.
16 This one is ok
I agree with the other reviewer...so backing them up might help other people looking for a kvm switch. I originally bought the 2 port belkin soho from Best Buy (mistake...cost [amt]). So you can imagine my delight when I found the 4 port for less money. Errr...well I love the exterior...unfortunately I think the 2 port had better audio quality and managed cables much better. In all if I had it my way I wouldn't have acquired 3 machines and stuck with the 2 port, much better execution on the part of belkin. However that being said I am the type of person that would take the belkin simply for the aesthetic appeal (it looks much better than the clumsy linksys or plain looking iogear)...and since I only have 1 workstation and 2 servers I decided to simply bypass the audio switching and input my speakers directly to my sound card. BUT remember you have to buy all of the cables, @[amt]a pop...you do the math.
17 It's OK if you only need 2 ports.
I bought it to use with 3 computers. However Belkin does not sell a CHEAP all in one cable for this product. It costs 30 bucks for one, AT LEAST. And by the time you use different cables, everything is REALLY messy. Also the worst problem is that it says it can support 4 computers, which it can, but you can only put on the sheath when you use only 2. I emailed Belkin and they said that they use the same casing for the 2 port as they do for the 4 port. So it really looks messy. The item itself works flawlessly, but I shelled out the extra bucks so the sheath would cover all the ugly cables. I don't reccommend this product unless you are going to use 2 ports, or you don't mind the messy cables without the sheath.
