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Hah, I use a low tech solution: I have a HDMI extension cable that reaches the front of the monitor that I just plug the device I want active into (and a usb sp

Hah, I use a low tech solution: I have a HDMI extension cable that reaches the front of the monitor that I just plug the device I want active into (and a usb splitter similar to what he uses for keyboard and mouse). It’s not quite as seamless as the solution described here but it took no time to set up.

evanweaver 6y ago
You can get a physical HDMI button so you don't even have to unplug anything: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L8LLP2G/ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L8LLP2G/
- pstrateman 6y ago
  "4Kx2K@30hz resolution" The issue is 4k@60.
- dkersten 6y ago
  Yeah, I did use a switcher before I upgraded my resolution.
- andechs 6y ago
  Does something like this exist for USB-C devices? I have to plug and unplug a certain device to change it between machines. Not full emulation and remaining "connected" - just the ability to press a button and change what the device is plugged into.
  - kingosticks 6y ago
    Would the one in the article work for you? https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01N6GD9JO https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01N6GD9JO
    - dkersten 6y ago
      That doesn’t look like USB-C
      - kingosticks 6y ago
        It doesn't. Sorry, what was I smoking. Edit: the only ones I could find with usb c were full KVMs and far more expensive. I would guess a female usb c to male usb 3 adapter might be a cheap workaround.
  - basejumping 6y ago
    I have been looking for the same thing. I want to connect my 2 laptops to the same dell monitor via one usb-c port, charge them, use the mouse and keyboard attached to the monitor. Now I have to move the usb-c cable from one laptop to the other, which already started to leave a mark on the port enclosure.
hinkley 6y ago
If you get some short extension cables, then most of the wear will be on the cable instead of your devices.
- dkersten 6y ago
  That's basically what I have: extension cable from monitor to front of monitor and HDMI cable from device to extension cable. So worst case is I have to replace either the extension cable or the HDMI cable. Either way, no biggy. I guess I wasn't clear that when I said "I plug my devices in", I meant a HDMI cable that then stretches to the actual devices, so they don't need to be at the monitor (eg my PS4).
- distances 6y ago
  I have monitor with TB3 input. I'm switching cables to that slot between laptop (TB3) and desktop (USB-C). Any idea if this prevents extension cable as if I've understood correctly TB3 requires a specific active cable?
  - hinkley 6y ago
    We were talking about extension cables to protect the connector on your most expensive equipment. And while there do appear to be TB3 male to female cables, I confess that TB is a problem I haven’t solved yet, and it’s getting bigger. Generally I’ve only been unlugging my work laptop from my desk about three times a week but for work-life hygiene I should probably unplug it at 5pm 5 days a week. Since it’s mostly split across 2 laptops and occasionally a third, I know the cable will go but haven’t thought too hard about the laptops so far. TB monitors mostly means I’m wearing out one connector instead of three (can you wear out MagSafe?) so it’s an improvement. You seem to be asking about a solution where you don’t have to move any cables? I’m not sure I have enough TB3 ports anywhere to do that. Someone with a complete TB3 system might be able to put one computer at each end of a chain, but I think you’re right that they won’t play nice, and you could never go to three. Docking station or KVM switch are probably it.
    - distances 6y ago
Yetanfou 6y ago
I have another solution to the same problem using a monitor which has both HDMI and DVI. The HDMI port is used for the 'main' machine which the DVI is connected through a DVI-HDMI connector to any secondary machine which I may want to connect. Switching between the two is either automatic - when there is no signal on the DVI input - or through the monitor source selector. The monitor also has a few analog inputs which I have used on occasion with older laptops, extending the scheme even further. Of course this only switches the monitor, not the keyboard so it is not a complete replacement for a KVM switch.
abiogenesis 6y ago
If you don't need 4K@60Hz you can also buy this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000177777648.html https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000177777648.html

evanweaver 6y ago

You can get a physical HDMI button so you don't even have to unplug anything: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L8LLP2G/ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L8LLP2G/

pstrateman 6y ago
"4Kx2K@30hz resolution" The issue is 4k@60.
dkersten 6y ago
Yeah, I did use a switcher before I upgraded my resolution.
andechs 6y ago
Does something like this exist for USB-C devices? I have to plug and unplug a certain device to change it between machines. Not full emulation and remaining "connected" - just the ability to press a button and change what the device is plugged into.
- kingosticks 6y ago
  Would the one in the article work for you? https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01N6GD9JO https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01N6GD9JO
  - dkersten 6y ago
    That doesn’t look like USB-C
    - kingosticks 6y ago
      It doesn't. Sorry, what was I smoking. Edit: the only ones I could find with usb c were full KVMs and far more expensive. I would guess a female usb c to male usb 3 adapter might be a cheap workaround.
- basejumping 6y ago
  I have been looking for the same thing. I want to connect my 2 laptops to the same dell monitor via one usb-c port, charge them, use the mouse and keyboard attached to the monitor. Now I have to move the usb-c cable from one laptop to the other, which already started to leave a mark on the port enclosure.

hinkley 6y ago

If you get some short extension cables, then most of the wear will be on the cable instead of your devices.

dkersten 6y ago
That's basically what I have: extension cable from monitor to front of monitor and HDMI cable from device to extension cable. So worst case is I have to replace either the extension cable or the HDMI cable. Either way, no biggy. I guess I wasn't clear that when I said "I plug my devices in", I meant a HDMI cable that then stretches to the actual devices, so they don't need to be at the monitor (eg my PS4).
distances 6y ago
I have monitor with TB3 input. I'm switching cables to that slot between laptop (TB3) and desktop (USB-C). Any idea if this prevents extension cable as if I've understood correctly TB3 requires a specific active cable?
- hinkley 6y ago
  We were talking about extension cables to protect the connector on your most expensive equipment. And while there do appear to be TB3 male to female cables, I confess that TB is a problem I haven’t solved yet, and it’s getting bigger. Generally I’ve only been unlugging my work laptop from my desk about three times a week but for work-life hygiene I should probably unplug it at 5pm 5 days a week. Since it’s mostly split across 2 laptops and occasionally a third, I know the cable will go but haven’t thought too hard about the laptops so far. TB monitors mostly means I’m wearing out one connector instead of three (can you wear out MagSafe?) so it’s an improvement. You seem to be asking about a solution where you don’t have to move any cables? I’m not sure I have enough TB3 ports anywhere to do that. Someone with a complete TB3 system might be able to put one computer at each end of a chain, but I think you’re right that they won’t play nice, and you could never go to three. Docking station or KVM switch are probably it.
  - distances 6y ago

Yetanfou 6y ago

I have another solution to the same problem using a monitor which has both HDMI and DVI. The HDMI port is used for the 'main' machine which the DVI is connected through a DVI-HDMI connector to any secondary machine which I may want to connect. Switching between the two is either automatic - when there is no signal on the DVI input - or through the monitor source selector. The monitor also has a few analog inputs which I have used on occasion with older laptops, extending the scheme even further. Of course this only switches the monitor, not the keyboard so it is not a complete replacement for a KVM switch.

abiogenesis 6y ago

If you don't need 4K@60Hz you can also buy this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000177777648.html https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000177777648.html