Here is my dilema. Hopefully someone knows where to find a product that could help me :)

Basically right now I have a PC with 2 VGA outputs from the same video card where I basically span my desktop accross the 2 screens. Picture below.

http://www.chadhorn.net/chadpic4.jpg

Now my office is tiny and that is the extend of the space I have for my desk. My dilema is that I really really really want to purchase a new MAC computer for editing and use 2 monitors for that as well. I'd like it so both the MAC and my PC could share both monitors, speakers, mouse, and keyboard so instead of me having to swap all the cables I could just press a button on the KVM switch. I can't seem to find any switches that can handle something that complex, most seem to be 1 monitor only. 1280x1420 resolution or better is a must as well.

*edit* Found one but that lacks audio support. Guess that could be the way to go and worry about that with another box, but its a pain in the behind.

Also, I'm hearing that video degradation is a problem with all KVM switches. Has anyone here used one, is it conciderably bad?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817107455R

Found something I think solves my problems. Looks right to all of you?

Sec!

The gf uses MACs and has tried a few KVMs some work well some do not. Let me link this to her and she can give her input. I think the last one we bought is back in the box and she's huffing it b/c of some issues she was experiencing.

Oh...
we use KVMs here simply so we have a "unix" type console in a rack somewhere but we do character cell and don't have any need for graphics. On the Windows side of the house they use DSVIEW but that's probably way more than you need and costly too. Were it multiple windows PCs you could RDP but the multiple platforms make it difficult.

Ok I asked her and she said that the KVM typically works well for her the only issue is that the MAC keyboard maps differently and with her doing allot of design work she uses various keys allot; those keys are not the same on the PC keyboard things like Mac's CMD key. I have no idea what she's talking about but if you're a MAC person you probably do.

She has never had a need to do multiple monitors just multiple machines to one monitor so she can't help you there. GL

That makes a lot of sense, there is the apple key and command key and a lot of stuff different on a MAC that isn't on a PC. Never thought of that, hrm.

Also the one I linked is VGA, I need 2 DVI inputs :(

Hmmm, wow that sounds like a pretty specific KVM need.

I'll keep my ear to the ground, as we do sell both Mac and PC.

One thing I've learned about computer sales, especially dealing in the unique and rare, and that is never say "It doesn't exist".

Somewhere, someone has sat down and built the thing. We're fortunate enough here in St. John's that we have a store nearby that will literally build something like this for you....for a price.

If you do happen to find what you are looking for, make sure to post the model number here, I'd love to see if I can get it into the store.

How important is audio to you?

http://www.kvms.com/products/SV221DVIDD.asp

That one sure looks like it would do the trick.

Regarding the keyboard compatability issue, doesn't Mac allow different keyboard configurations just like PC does? I would imagine it is a software setting somewhere.

Hi this is the GF de la Fildien.

How about this?

http://sewelldirect.com/Gefen-2x-DVI-Switch-Exdended-Desktop-with-USB-2-0-Audio-IR-Remote.asp


a bit salty, but might be what you are looking for. I am not as audio savvy via the computer as I would like, so I am positive if the audio end of this will work for your needs.


Leah

Macs suck.....
That is all....

:P

Leah thats it, its a bit more expensive than I was hoping but thats exactly what I'm looking for. I guess if you're gonna drop $15,000 on a computer another $800 can't hurt.

You can't find a better platform for editing and graphics software that isn't a MAC Sixee ... when it comes to television production, PCs suck. And that is all.

Leah thats it, its a bit more expensive than I was hoping but thats exactly what I'm looking for. I guess if you're gonna drop $15,000 on a computer another $800 can't hurt.

You can't find a better platform for editing and graphics software that isn't a MAC Sixee ... when it comes to television production, PCs suck. And that is all.

Leah agrees, after almost 4yrs of debates I just gave up. I now allow multiple MACs on my network and they play nice but if they start having babies that's it.

Kelraz question for you....we're looking to upgrade her product line for design software. The pricetag is looking to be around $1200 to upgrade all her Adobe crap and CS2 or whatever. Any ideas how to make that cheaper? Also she wants to buy some fonts and christ I never knew fonts could cost $5k+ any ideas there? Maybe you two could trade fonts or something if you even use them?

Macs are built solid, period.

They hardly break, hardly ever crash, they work out of the box AND they do their job VERY well.

I'm still a PC user mainly due to my playing games, but that is quickly changing as well. You can load WinXP Pro on a Mac and it'll run better than OS X!

I hate to admit it, but PC's are not even in the same class as a Mac.

The software for the font and the licensing rights for the font are dramatically different. When you buy a font you also purchase the right to use it in commercial projects - hence why they are so expensive. I use the stock fonts because most of my video stuff is only a few words long, while fonts play a larger role in print.

My route to make things cheaper was I am no longer Chad Horn but Chad Horn, LLC. and I get a whopping 8% off at Apple and a bunch of other places give business discounts they don't give random schmucks. Also there is the Apple Educational discount (20% off) if you are a student or work in the education (I.E. not for profit) fields. Some universities offer the entire Adobe suite dirt cheap too - so if you have a friend in college that could help you out go for it!

Then of course, another great part about being a business is its a huge write off. Thats $12,000 worth of income (probably depreciated over 3 years, or $4,000 a year) that isn't taxed. Thats pretty huge when you figure the taxes on $4,000 is a little over $1,000 at least.