VGA Switcher

[leowyatt]

As most of you know we have a new TV now. With the dash update for my 360 we can watch alot of downloaded content through that but some stuff doesn't work. It's a pain in the arse having to swap VGA cables so the iBook can be used to watch stuff so can anyone recommend a cheap VGA switch I could use so I can have both the 360 and the iBook connected to the TV.

[Mark]

Not sure if there are dedicated VGA switch boxes - probably are.

However, search 'KVM' on somewhere like eBuyer. Beware though that these are designed for keyboard and mouse as well and will usually need power from at least one USB or PS/2 port (depending on model). Plugging in to the iBook's USB port should work fine even if you don't plug a keyboard in the other end (my Mac Mini powers my KVM no problem). Also, you might have to buy cables extra and some (cheaper models) will degrade VGA signal at high resolution.

[Daz]

Cheapest one I found is this, which is mega cheap :|

http://www.b2cshop24.com/en/mini-2-ports-kvm-switch-box-for-2pc-ps2-vga-cable-mice.html?currency=GBP

[Mark]

Yeah, it is, though it's PS/2 and appears to have no cables so sorting that will be extra.

[leowyatt]

Cheers Daz that is a good idea but unfortunately I don't have a ps2 keyboard socket on the iBook. That is the right sort of thing though.

[Daz]

You dont need to use it to switch keyboard and mouse, it'll still switch the VGA signals :) Mark's right though, you will need a couple of extra cables.

[Mark]

Still needs a PS/2 port though because that's where it gets power from. Easy solution though, and this is a silly price too...

http://www.b2cshop24.com/en/usb-male-to-ps2-female-adapterconverteradaptor.html

Beware that's rather 'fat', so if the iBook stacks USB ports the port above/below will be unusable. There are cable versions available that don't have this problem but they cost a little more.

[Daz]

There was a power adapter with it but if you want to save a socket then that also should work :)

[Mark]

Either I'm blind (you should know the answer to this) or there's no adapter with it. :huh:

[Daz]

You may be right actually. It does say this:

The KVM switch draws power through the keyboard port of the corresponding computer, if your computer or notebook cannot generate enough power to support the KVM switch, you may need to use a DC 9V 500m A adapter
And I took that as 'the supplied' adapter after a skim read but it doesn't actually say it comes with one.

[leowyatt]

ibook ports are side by side so that should help.

[Desmo]

Would this not be better? http://www.b2cshop24.com/en/hdb15-svga-male-to-2-female-splitter-monitor-adapter.html

Seeing as you won't be using them both at the same time, I don't see a problem.

[leowyatt]

yeah that would work. Would just need a thing for the sound.

[Dr. Z]

You would need gender changers though as that is designed the wrong way around - two monitors from one output.

At work we sell a little tiny 2-port KVM which is white and is designed to look good in the home, it has a white button "pebble" thing that comes out of the actual KVM so that you can hide it away and have the button on the desk (rather than having a really horrible looking box in view or having to use the scroll lock key to switch screens).

Its a belkin jobbie and I think its called the Switch2. Lookswise, its probably perfect for a living room :)