Very poor image quality, problems with some USB-based mice

Category: Review on D-Link DKVM-4K 4-port KVM Switch

Posted by: 28-Dec-2006

Strengths: Manual switch on base unit to cycle between computers works well

Weaknesses: Very significant image degradation; finicky when used with some mice with USB-adapters; only 2 sets of cables included

Picked up this D-link KVM switch, and immediately noticed significant degradation of the video signal using the analog port of a higher-end Phillips 19 inch flatscreen. Very, very, noticeable - I don't have this problem with my other linksys KVM and this monitor. I strongly recommend you do not buy this D-link switch if you are planning on running it off a flatscreen.
Also had problems with two logitech optical mice (one cordless) that are both USB based with included PS2 adapters. Basically, it wouldn't recognize either mouse at boot up or after switching between PCs - you had to keep unplugging and re-plugging in the mouse to the base unit after each switch to get it to start working.
Not all bad though - the switch did work perfectly with my Logitech EX110 cordless keyboard/mouse combo that I use on a another computer setup, and the manual selection button on the base unit is useful (and mandatory on cordless combos like the EX110 that lack a scroll lock key - there's no way to swtich using the hot-key commands on the keyboard). Only acceptable here because I don't have the monitor hooked up to the swtich - I manually switch between DVI and analog through the monitor on that setup.
Avoid this switch, go with linksys - my linksys KVM had no problems with any of the above hardware.