VGA Switcher

leowyatt · 11-01-2008, 12:20

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 · 11-01-2008, 12:30

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 · 11-01-2008, 12:30

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

http://www.b2cshop24.com/en/mini-2-p...l?currency=GBP

Mark · 11-01-2008, 12:37

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

leowyatt · 11-01-2008, 12:43

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 · 11-01-2008, 12:47

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 · 11-01-2008, 12:52

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...eradaptor.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 · 11-01-2008, 12:54

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

Mark · 11-01-2008, 12:55

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

Daz · 11-01-2008, 12:57

You may be right actually. It does say this:

Quote:

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.

11-01-2008, 12:20	#1
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	VGA Switcher 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. __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

11-01-2008, 12:30	#3
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Cheapest one I found is this, which is mega cheap :\| http://www.b2cshop24.com/en/mini-2-p...l?currency=GBP __________________ apt-get moo

11-01-2008, 12:43	#5
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	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. __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

11-01-2008, 12:47	#6
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	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. __________________ apt-get moo

11-01-2008, 12:54	#8
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	There was a power adapter with it but if you want to save a socket then that also should work __________________ apt-get moo

11-01-2008, 12:30	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	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.

11-01-2008, 12:37	#4
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Yeah, it is, though it's PS/2 and appears to have no cables so sorting that will be extra.

11-01-2008, 12:52	#7
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	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...eradaptor.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.

11-01-2008, 12:55	#9
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Either I'm blind (you should know the answer to this) or there's no adapter with it.