Dual Input LED Monitor

[blinky88]

Hullo all,

At present I have 2 computers hooked up to Compaq P1210 Dual Input Monitor and run both PC's at the same time. There is a switch on the front panel of the monitor to change from 1 PC to the other, I also have KVM switch to change the keyboard and mouse from 1 PC to the other .... both connections to the monitor are 15pin D-sub.

I am thinking of buying a dual input LED monitor however, the connections are DVI-D and 15pin D-sub. I can buy a converter DVI-D to 15pin D-sub ..but.. is there a switch on the front of the monitor to switch to the PC I want to access ?

The monitor I'm looking to buy is a Samsung BX 2440.

Advise would be very much appreciated.

[usually_quiet]

Yes, the "Source" button controls which video input is used. For future reference, Samsung provides very detailed information for most products they make in the PDF manual for that product available at their website.

[blinky88]

Thank you for taking time out to respond, appreciated.

[jagabo]

I am thinking of buying a dual input LED monitor however, the connections are DVI-D and 15pin D-sub. I can buy a converter DVI-D to 15pin D-sub

A DVI-D to VGA converter requires active circuitry, not just a cable. If you are talking about DVI-A or DVI-I to VGA, that can be done with a simple cable. But if the monitor's DVI input is really DVI-D it won't accept VGA at the DVI port.

It would be a lot cheaper to use a KVM switch to switch the two VGA sources to the monitor's VGA input.

[usually_quiet]

The monitor's manual confirms the connections provided are 1 DVI-D and 1 VGA.

[blinky88]

There is a DVI-D to VGA converter, hopefully this will allow me to use both PC's with the Samsung LED monitor should I buy. Thank you all for taking time out to help, appreciated.

[edDV]

There is a DVI-D to VGA converter, hopefully this will allow me to use both PC's with the Samsung LED monitor should I buy. Thank you all for taking time out to help, appreciated.

Why don't you use a KVM switch to switch the 2 VGA to monitor VGA in like Jagabo suggested?

example

[jagabo]

There is a DVI-D to VGA converter

Of course there are. But real converters are not cheap because they have active circuitry to convert the digital DVI signal to an analog VGA signal. For example:

http://www.blackbox.com/Store/Detail.aspx/DVI-D-to-VGA-Converter/AC1038A

If you are looking at cheap adapters like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119261&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_m...ill-_-12119261

They will not work unless your monitor accepts a digital DVI signal at a D-15 port (very uncommon). See the feedback -- the adapter did not work for anyone who posted.

[drjtech]

Here's yet another supposed DVI-D to VGA adapter with mostly one-star "It just doesn't work" reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/CablesToBuyTM-DVI-D-Male-Female-Adapter/dp/B001CHQ52W/ref=sr_1_1...3913774&sr=8-1

blinky88, do you have a link to the particular adapter you say is available?
Are you expecting to take the VGA output from your computer and connect to the DVI-D input on your monitor? If so, that it dramatically different than taking the DVI output from you computer to the VGA input on your monitor. I have seen many complaints from users thinking that a DVI/VGA adapter is bidirectional.


-drjtech

[blinky88]

Here is the link to the adapter I've seen and yes I do intend to install it via a KVM switch. Never really thought about a KVM switch that has 2 inputs such as DVI-D and VGA, perhaps that switch does exist.

[jagabo]

Here is the link to the adapter I've seen and yes I do intend to install it via a KVM switch. Never really thought about a KVM switch that has 2 inputs such as DVI-D and VGA, perhaps that switch does exist.

Why would you need DVI-D and VGA inputs/outputs on the KVM switch? You have two VGA devices that need to be switched to a single VGA input on the monitor. A standard KVM switch will work -- like the one edDV pointed out. Or, for just the VGA signals, a simple VGA A/B switch:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10106&cs_id=1010601&p_id=...seq=1&format=2

[blinky88]

I have a KVM switch connected now: Mouse/Keyboard/ 15 pin VGA Monitor, I thought by adding the DVI-D to VGA adapter (STOP) not thinking too well, getting a bit long on the tooth, I'll have to get back to the drawing board.

The monitor I'm thinking of buying has dual input, a 15pin VGA port and a DVI-D port.

The monitor I have the now is a Compaq P1210 dual input 15pin VGA.

[usually_quiet]

I took a look at my favorite online source for computer parts. VGA to DVI-D video converter boxes (for connecting a VGA pc to a DVI-D monitor) cost $220 to $400 (USD). Basic 2 to 1 KVM switches with VGA and stereo audio cost ~$20 to ~$74 (USD). It's up to you, but if I had to buy something new for the sole purpose of allowing 2 PCs to share a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers, I would choose a KVM switch with VGA. (All video connections would be VGA)

However, if one or both PCs are running Windows 7, most of these inexpensive KVM switches won't work properly. For Windows 7, you need one with EDID/active DDC function for the monitor, plus DDM support or true USB emulation for USB keyboards and mice. See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg487352.aspx

Not many KVMs provide the proper features for Windows 7. The IOGEAR GCS632UW6 is one inexpensive model ($30 USD) with EDID support for Windows 7, but the USB connections do not work well for everyone. The ConnectPRO UR-12+Plus KVM switches with DDM are much more expensive, but apparently have better Windows 7 compatibility.

[blinky88]

The 2 computers both have XP Pro and 15pin VGA monitor connections, they are also 478 socket boards which are fast enough for me. It's very possible DVI-D will not function with my computers.

[usually_quiet]

The 2 computers both have XP Pro and 15pin VGA monitor connections, they are also 478 socket boards which are fast enough for me. It's very possible DVI-D will not function with my computers.

The DVI port on the monitor is not compatible with VGA and both PCs are VGA only. Unless you want to spend hundreds on a video converter, forget about using the monitor itself to switch. Use a good KVM switch with VGA monitor support instead.

If your present KVM switch has VGA, and is satisfactory in other respects, you should be able to keep using it. Otherwise, since neither PC uses Windows 7, that makes finding a compatible KVM switch easier. There are many to pick from if you need some additional connections/features or your present KVM lacks VGA monitor support. With less expensive models you must choose between using USB for both keyboard and mouse versus PS/2 for both keyboard and mouse. Do you want speaker support and/or microphone support? Do you prefer pushbutton switching or hotkey switching?

I don't have a KVM switch yet, although I have been thinking about one for a while. As one of my two PCs is a Windows 7 machine, I'm going to wait until the selection of fully compatible models improves.

[blinky88]

Hi Usually-quite,

Thanks for taking time out to sort this problem I am having, I'm in my seventies and the newer technologies are confusing me. I have been a member of this site for 7 years and whenever I've run into trouble, this is where I come and I've also managed to help a few along the way.

Keeping the set-up I have now with the new monitor means I simply install the 15pin VGA into the monitor and leave the DVI-D input bare, never thought of that, thanks. It has taken time however, I have finally got the message.

My thanks to all other members who responded.