Belkin OmniView SOHO Series 4-Port KVM Switch with Audio

Average customer rating: 2.5

I just loooove my KVM!
2 new units break down within 30 days - Lemons or bad products?
When they said SOHO, they really meant it
Absolutely awful
There are better KVM solutions

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Belkin OmniView SOHO Series 4-Port KVM Switch with Audio

Manufacturer: Belkin Components
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B00006BB9I

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Product Description

The F1DS104T OmniView SOHO Series 4-Port KVM Switch from Belkin is the simple solution that lets you control as many as four computers, whether PS/2 or USB enabled, with one keyboard, monitor, and mouse. This switch reduces desktop clutter and prevents you from wasting money on redundant accessories, not to mention looking sharp in its own right 10-second AutoScan function Keyboard and PS/2 emulations for error-free boot-up Flash firmware upgrade support PC99 color-coded connectors for matching cables to appropriate ports quickly and easily LED indicators Limited 2-Year Warranty Free Technical Support NOTE - CABLES NOT INCLUDED - See recommended items sidebar

Customer Reviews:

I just loooove my KVM!.......2007-01-04

One keyboard, mouse and monitor to rule them all! Great for switching between work and home machines and only needing one mouse, keyboard and monitor. A nice easy way to reduce a cluttered home office.

2 new units break down within 30 days - Lemons or bad products?.......2006-07-10

My job requires a KVM switch for QA purposes to test different OS/browser combinations. In building the lab I decided to go with Belkin after researching various switches. I'm configuring a lab with a Mac G4, Mac mini, NC6000 laptop and HP DC5100 mini tower. I'm using the HP supplied keyboard and mouse, and a ViewSonic 19 LCD flatscreen.

The first KVM worked well for right at 30 days. At that point the mouse began to act erratic, followed shortly by the switch only working in the #1 slot (laptop). I ordered a second switch and the same thing happened within 30 days again.

I'm going to return the switch and try the well rated IOGear MiniView 4 Port USB KVW.

When they said SOHO, they really meant it.......2006-06-14

My first impression of the Belkin OmniView SOHO Series 4-Port KVM Switch was that it was HUGE! The futuristic design takes up unnecessary amount of space for a KVM switch with only 4 ports. That said, it looks COOL enough to have on your desk, but the problem is, it quickly becomes uncool when you attach four sets of cables to the unit. The cable "management" cover (which only hides the cables) will not fit back on the unit with 4 sets of cables bulging out from the unit.

Like the other reviewers, I also had problems with unrecognized PS/2 and USB devices during startup. This is because the OmniView SOHO has crumby mouse emulation. A more professional KVM switch will emulate a mouse/keyboard signal when the computer searches for attached devices during startup. So, any kind of Windows or Linux machine is out of luck. Only Macs will rescan the ports when the KVM is switched to its port... so that means, if you only have Macs, you won't have this problem. Other's will just have to sit in front of the computers and switch the ports while they startup one computer at a time.

So let's say you have 4 Macs connected to the unit. Once you press a button to switch between computers, it takes a few seconds for the new screen to appear. This is more of a electric issue than anything. Your monitor and computer must sync refresh rates and resolutions because your computer thinks there's a new monitor. You'd see this issue with a lot of other entry level KVM switches.

BTW, YES the cables ARE sold separately. But that's because they have USB and PS/2 versions. IoGear's MiniView (cables included) is a much better (albeit vanilla box) alternative for an entry level 4 port KVM.

Absolutely awful.......2006-03-23

Followed the instructions to the letter. PCs would not work once connected and even worse stopped XP starting up - had to go back to restore point. Belkin email support is next to useless. I would strongely recommend buying a KVM product from another supplier.

There are better KVM solutions.......2005-03-19

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.

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