| Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Input Devices | |
| Written by David Ramsey - Edited by Olin Coles | |
| Sunday, 11 October 2009 | |
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Belkin SOHO F1DD104L KVMBelkin offers a wide variety of KVMs, from inexpensive dual-port VGA-PS/2 switches intended for the home to large, expensive 16-port rack-mount switches for server farms that can handle multiple computers and multiple consoles. Some even have built-in monitors! We're looking at the top of Belkin's home-office KVM switch line, the SOHO F1DD104L. This four-port switch allows you to share a single DVI monitor, USB keyboard and mouse, and microphone and speaker among four computers. Versions of this switch are available in both VGA-PS/2 and DVI-USB versions, but really, who uses VGA any more? The SOHO F1DD104L is a premium switch with extra features to help justify its rather high price. It's a common scenario for many of us these days: multiple computers, but no desk space for multiple monitors, keyboards, and mice. You might have a work machine and a play machine; or a home media server you access and control over the network, but it would really be nice if you had a monitor and keyboard sometimes, or maybe you just thought it would be fun to try one of those $200 nettop computers to see if it had any actual application. The solution is a KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) switch, and Benchmark Reviews looks at the Belkin SOHO F1DD104L four-port DVI-USB KVM switch to see how well it would work for you. This is a high-end switch with lots of extra features, so let's get started!
About Belkin International, Inc.Belkin International, Inc., offers an extensive range of innovations designed to give computer and consumer electronics users seamless integration in their homes, cars, and on the go. Belkin, a privately held company founded in California in 1983, is the recognized global leader in connectivity solutions. Since our inception in 1983, Belkin has experienced an amazing 25 consecutive years of dramatic growth and remains committed to making significant strides in the areas of research and design. Our diverse and far-reaching product mix includes award-winning innovations for easy-to-use networking solutions, accessories for mobile devices, such as iPod, iPhoneTM, laptops, and netbooks, as well as energy conservation products. Belkin also provides business-class solutions that include KVM switches, LCD rack consoles, racks and enclosures, in addition to a broad USB and cable product mix. Belkin has developed industry-leading innovations, prized by channel partners and end users alike for their dependability, customer service, and comprehensive warranties.
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Comments
##belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=404605
...you'll see the maximum resolution for the F1DD104L is still listed as 2560x1600, which is normal for a dual-link DVI connection. This is also the resolution quoted in the PDF spec sheet you can download from the same page. I suspect the manual's specs are a cut-and-paste error from one of the VGA versions of the switch, which do have a limit of 1920x1200.
#amzn.to/cCoMVW provided a conflicting observation about resolution, but I haven't found any others like that.
THANKS!
I know that the G110 won't "switch" if it's plugged into the USB-shaped KB interface. I think, now, that a switch must be software-independent, so that the KB can do all that it can w/the prop. software on each PC....
Disappointment: Both products have been out so long, and there isn't absolute clarity by either/any manufacturer.
Thanks
I can't provide any more information since I don't have access to the monitors that would fully test the switch's purported capabilities. You could always get the switch and simply return it if it doesn't work.
1. If you are talking to someone on-line via a headset (ie: Skype) but need to refer to your other Computers.
2. If you are attending a webcast / web meeting & the video is less important (ie: people asking questions), you could swap & check your emails.
3. Some people listen to music from a client machine then switch to a Server or Dev/Test system to do real work.
Hope this helps