Belkin Flip USB KVM switch
By Paul Miller 
posted Mar 28th 2006 12:55PM
posted Mar 28th 2006 12:55PM
[Via Macworld]
posted Mar 28th 2006 12:55PM
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Okay I have found a solution (it worked for me, not sure if its 100% going to work all the time).
1) Turn off the XBox 360
2) Plug the two male USB's found on th Belkin KVM Switch into the XBox 360 (yes I know thats a pain, but it works)
3) Done :D It should now work!
Testing I did:
- Turned console off and on again several times, never got "Demo" Mode
- Starting with different modes on the KVM Switch (green/orange)
- Tried plugging in both male USB plugs into my computer (other device on the Belkin KVM Switch)
Testing I have not yet completed:
- Using a USB Hub on the back of the XBox 360 for both USB plugs on the KVM Switch
- Starting in different modes on the KVM Switch (green/orange) with the USB Hub
If it works for you, say so! I want to know. It worked for me, so there is no reason why it won't work for you to!
Installed one for a client and half of the times the mouse does not work. Not impressed with it so far.
Anyone havve recommendations for a similar product for DVI? I/O Gear?
Wow, this is quite possibly the nicest looking KVM I've ever seen, AND it's USB!
Yes, but it's also VGA. Still not sure what is so damn hard about making a good KVM switch with DVI outputs.
This must be a redesigned model, the mac mini version is already available in stores, my CompUSA had 3 of them on the shelf last weekend.
Belkin Flip for mac mini:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Product_Id=255941
i'm wondering if this product can work between my xbox 360 uses vga adaptor and my computer throught one moniter?
Does it work with a wireless keyboard/mouse?
BestBuy in Sterling, VA had a few too last weekend.
Why is it so surprising? Not everything revolves around the mac mini.....
And how is this any better than the IOGear MiniView Micro KVM's that you can already buy for ~$40? A puck? Do I really need a light to tell me which computer is active?
very slick looking, but wtf? VGA??!? it's been YEARS since i've had a VGA cabled monitor. c'mon Belkin.
i dropped serious cash on a DVI SOHO KVM from them last year only to realize AFTER i had thrown the receipt away that it didn't even support the resolution on my 23" Cinema. now i've got a 30" Cinema so i'm not holding my breath that Belkin is going to support that for a few more years.
Why would anyone drop 60 bucks on a 2-way KVM? Am I missing something? Most KVM's have keyboard shortcuts so you don;t have to see any of the hardware - with the video limitation, you can pick up a 4-way KVM for less. Style is not worth this much.
I have an IOGear DVI 4-Port KVM. It works well and will switch 2 extra USB devices as well as audio/mic.
http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GCS1764
It'll be just fine for me since I don't have a DVI port, nor a monitor that supports DVI. But I don't like the colors at all. I hope they have a jet black switch.
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http://minimacs.freepay.com/?r=13908694
I think the USB on this KVM is supposed to be more compatible with USB mice & keyboards than KVM's that swich both ps2 and USB where the USB is intended more for other devices.
I like the old keyboard method of switching just fine. I don't really need yet another wire in my tangle.
Besides my old Iogear, I also have a Linkskey 2 port USB KVM, for half the price and it has a button built in (no dongle)for switching as well as keyboard and mouse shortcuts plus audio AND MIC. It also has indicator lights.
Welp, I don't know about how many people are like this, but I drive two monitors and because KVM dualhead switches cost 200+, I'm stuck with having to run everything on an overwhelmed 3.2Ghz PC.
I'd love a low cost KVM with DH support. R&D for the gadget above would have been better spent making an inexpensive dualhead, that's for sure.
Who cares what a KVM looks like? Mine sits on the floor among the rats nest of cables behind my boxes and I use the keyboard to switch them. If you can't tell which machine is which by looking at the screen you've got bigger problems.
Personally, I don't really trust the keyboard shortcuts much, so the puck is kinda nice. Don't know if the extra wire would make a mess though. I'm mostly concerned with video performance. I have an older belkin 2 port usb kvm that has video distortion in Windows when I plug one end into an older linux box. Another linux box with a newer vid card doesn't have that problem.
#14 - Peter!
That is so hilarious! I totally agree with you about the rats nest of wires. That really made me laugh out loud. Thanks for the honesty!
I work at the Best Buy in Elk Grove, CA, and we just got these in. THere is also a PS/2 version available. Works very well with any keyboard and mouse, I myself have the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic KEyboard 4000 and the Razer Copperback. When you change the switch, you will hear a distinct click, which definately does help. One note also is that ONE OF THE KVM CABLES IS SHORTER THAN THE OTHER, meaning that the 1 set of the KVM cables that connects to one computer is shorter in length than the other that connects to the other. The shorter is about 2 feet, the longer is about 4 feet. I dont have it anymore, but just wnat to let you guys know. You can email me questions @ acaurora@gmail.com
I rather like the puck idea. I've been thinking of trying to hack something similar onto a bare-bones Hawking KVM switch I have at home.
With the small KVMs like this and my Hawking, you get a lot of cables plugging into a small, lightweight box, which makes them kind of awkward to position. The cables get in the way, and the box itself is light enough that it can be moved by the weight and stiffness of the cables. Or, rather, when you're trying to move the box to a different place on the desk to get it out of the way, the cables can have the final say.
My Hawking KVM has cables coming out of four sides, and the toggle button on top, making it rather nasty to have on your desk.
DVI would be nice, however.
I love the colors. If this came in DVI, I'd buy it. That simple.
Make it happen, Belkin.
Looks nice. Does anybody know if it is supposed to work with wireless keyboard/mouse? My previous Iogear KVM switch was pretty buggy with a wireless keyboard.
Hi, Balzar asked and i have not seen an answer, i would like to know as well, if this works with wireless keyboard and mouse. If not which does?
Thank you
yes it does. ive got the new Logitech MX Revolution Wireless Mouse and it works great.
To Answer Two of the Questions Posted:
Q1) Does this work with the XBox 360?
A1) Yes and No. It will switch to and show the 360, but for some odd reason it locks the 360's OS into "demo mode" hindering all actions the 360 can perform. Try it yourself for more info, but I'd suggest looking for an alternative.
Q2) Does this work with wireless keyboards/mice?
A2) YES. At least with the MicroInv HP wireless keyboard and mice set that I have currently. Just make sure you plug in the reciever for the wireless stuff to the FLIP's main hub (either USB port works fine).
Hope that helps! IF anybody finds a fix for the 360 bug PLEASE let me know and I will love u forever!!!!
Thanks.
Mikey
ok as neat as this unit is, it really sux, half the time when you pust the button it doesnt switch over to the other computer correctly. and if you like to set your monitor over 65hz (refresh rate) it screws up you video and shrinks your desktop resolution to 600 and changes your color bit to 256 colors. Belkin has never made good computer produxcts, they should only be alowed to make usb cables.
ok as neat as this unit is, it really sux, half the time when you pust the button it doesnt switch over to the other computer correctly. and if you like to set your monitor over 65hz (refresh rate) it screws up you video and shrinks your desktop resolution to 600 and changes your color bit to 256 colors. Belkin has never made good computer produxcts, they should only be alowed to make usb cables.
I've gone through two of these - both with non-functional video. My video works perfectly fine without being plugged into the KVM, however when running through the KVM all I get is a black screen (receiving video signal, no image diplayed). I'd probably look to another brand as this is 1) Overpriced and 2) Cheaply made. Just my $0.02.
Agent A. Harris
Best Buy Geek Squad.
i recently bought the belkin flip and i hooked it up between my mac mini and xbox 360. after realizing the 'demo mode' problem i figured it would be somthing that i would either have to deal with and switch the cables manually when necesary or just take back to the store (best buy which has a bad reputation of refusing refunds). however, after the recent xbox update it works perfectly without the xbox going into 'demo mode'. i dont know if it will stay that way but im assuming they fixed some kind of glitch that also fixed my problem. so besides the occational technical difficulties wherein it doesnt actually 'flip' when i press the button, it still works pretty good and looks clean.
Is it still workin for you? My 60 jumps into demo mode what i use this.
How Belkin USB KVM switch is beneficial as compare to other
How Belkin USB KVM switch is beneficial as compare to other.
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http://smartvm.com/KVM-Switches-C1295.htm
The image quality has some impact using this KVM. I'm using it with a 22" 1680x1050@60Hz LCD and the image is a tiny bit blurry.
After some weeks I found out that in some circunstances it was also trashing my desktop machine USB bus into repetitive resets, eventually leading to a USB freeze.
I decided to remove it and connect my LCD directly to my systems. I'll try a KVM from another brand.
I would only recommend it for smaller resolutions/CRT's, not for big LCDs.
According to Belkin tech support this is NOT compatible with the 360. I tried hooking it up but one of the cables was broken or something because only my computer would work when hooked up and I had to use the shorter cable to get it to work then.