KVM Switch over network?

[LaValva]

I'm just wondering if they make such a device. I'm looking to possibly run a keyboard/monitor/mouse about 75-100 feet away. I thought I heard about KVM switches using cat5 cable. Is this possible? I know I won't get perfect video and such. It's being used in my church to put the words on the screen, i would like to give our song leader and pastor full control in case they want to switch. I also saw somethin gabout a wireless kvm switch, but I can't seem to find much info now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Big_Mac]

to run 1280x1024, 32 bit colour, at 75hz, you need to transmit 375MB of data per second.

Typical cat5 is rated at 100 Mbit/S
even a gigabit wire isn't fat enough to handle that kind of throughput.

So you'll either have to cut down on the res/refresh/colour depth...

However, if you do end up doing this, it may end up costing quite a bit. You may be better off just moving the PC, or getting a laptop.

[Colossus]

Originally posted by Big_Mac
to run 1280x1024, 32 bit colour, at 75hz, you need to transmit 375MB of data per second.

Typical cat5 is rated at 100 Mbit/S
even a gigabit wire isn't fat enough to handle that kind of throughput.

So you'll either have to cut down on the res/refresh/colour depth...

However, if you do end up doing this, it may end up costing quite a bit. You may be better off just moving the PC, or getting a laptop.

Does that resolution really move 375MB of data per second???? I would of thought it would be much less then that

[Big_Mac]

do it yourself...

1280 x 1024 x 75 x 32 = number of bits per second.

(number of pixelf per screen, times refresh, times pixel depth)

= 3145728000 bits / sec
divide by 1024 * 1024 * 8 to get MB/s.

turns out to 375 even.

[Colossus]

Thanks! I never knew that!

[LaValva]

I'm running 1024x768@16bit. If you know of any devices, please let me know. thanks...

[Big_Mac]

Hmmm, I'm assuming you're also using a Projector for the screen?

In that case, is it feasible to have the pastor / choir leader look at the screen, and only have the mouse/keyboard be remote?

As in have a mouse/KB but NO monitor for the remote locations? This would be MUCH easier to handle, and might actually be feasible...

So, is the monitor absolutely necessary?

[EDIT]

Just remembered... Microsoft has a remote desktop utility, where you can control a remote desktop across the network, all you'll need is a second PC, and a way to network the two.

so, grab a cheapie laptop (~$250 - 400) and some 802.11b network gear, and you'll be all set. Or, you could toss together a remote desktop system, but it'll be more bulky, because you'll probably end up using a CRT.
[/EDIT]

[LaValva]

Originally posted by Big_Mac
Hmmm, I'm assuming you're also using a Projector for the screen?

In that case, is it feasible to have the pastor / choir leader look at the screen, and only have the mouse/keyboard be remote?

As in have a mouse/KB but NO monitor for the remote locations? This would be MUCH easier to handle, and might actually be feasible...

So, is the monitor absolutely necessary?

[EDIT]

Just remembered... Microsoft has a remote desktop utility, where you can control a remote desktop across the network, all you'll need is a second PC, and a way to network the two.

so, grab a cheapie laptop (~$250 - 400) and some 802.11b network gear, and you'll be all set. Or, you could toss together a remote desktop system, but it'll be more bulky, because you'll probably end up using a CRT.
[/EDIT]

Yeah, we're actually using 2 projectors, one facing front for congretation, one facing back for pastor/song leader/choir. I never thought about using remote desktop, that's something to definitely consider. Using a keyboard and mouse would be feasable, but it would be EXTREMELY convenient to have a monitor up there. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Isezumi]

Originally posted by lavalva


Yeah, we're actually using 2 projectors, one facing front for congretation, one facing back for pastor/song leader/choir. I never thought about using remote desktop, that's something to definitely consider. Using a keyboard and mouse would be feasable, but it would be EXTREMELY convenient to have a monitor up there. Thanks for the suggestions.

that is why he is recommending that you buy a laptop with wireless gear.

So the pastor/songleader has a little lappy right there, that they can use to edit info on the box that controls the Projector.

[duke2106]

Datacom Warehouse has some kvm switches that work with UTP. Follow this link:

http://www2.warehouse.com/product.as...working&blind=

I know that that model is probably too much for your needs, but they have other models, I'm sure. I haven't searched in detail, though.