Small Yes, But Therein Lies the Problem
Written: Jun 08 '05
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Pros: Small size; unique cables, auto-scanning, no external power source needed.
Cons: Too small
The Bottom Line: In the final analysis, I can live with the StarView 4 Port Tower KVM tilting hazard not withstanding.
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| vemartin's Full Review: Startech SV411KT 4 Port StarView Tower Style KVM S... |
My house is strewn with computers. I seem to collect them like other people collect oh, say, digital cameras, coins, or stamps. There is a computer in almost every room in our home; two laptops and some seven custom-built desktops, two of which are under repair (bad motherboards). Now, one of the desktops is exclusively used for my daughters when they come to visit, but it share monitor space with whatever computer might be on my workbench being built, upgrade, or repaired at the moment. Since I just moved the girls’ computer to its current location, I needed to find a small 4-port KVM (Keyboard/Video/Mouse) switch to place on my workbench. I decided I wanted a tower in order to maximize space; I choose the StarView 4 Port Tower Style KVM Switch.
The Product
The matt black StarView 4 Port Tower Style KVM Switch or console, if you prefer, allows you to control up to four (4) PS/2 computers from a single point by sharing a single keyboard, monitor, and mouse. Utilizing the front panel switch, Auto-scanning, or keyboard Hot-Keys you can switch between computers connected to the console with relative ease. A yellow LED on the front of the console tells you which computer you are currently monitoring, as it backlights white numbers down the fact of the switch. Connections are made in the back of the unit, and although the mouse port is a PS/2 type connection a USB mouse will work as long as a USB-to-PS/2 converter is used.
StarView 4 Port Tower KVM is offered in a unique tower configuration designed to save space on the desktop. The unit itself is smaller then I anticipated, but still functional and offers hot pluggable keyboard and mouse ports and supports high VGA resolution of up to 1920x1440. The StarView 4 Port Tower KVM comes in a kit that includes four 3-in-1 tangle free cables (more on these below), an instruction booklet and of course the console.
The StarView 4 Port Tower KVM is compatible with all operating systems, including MacOS, UNIX and Linux. One of the draws for me was the fact that the console draws power from the attached computer(s), even when it (they) is powered down eliminating the need for an external power adapter.
Installation
First connect a single keyboard, mouse, and monitor to the back of the console. Then, before connecting the StarView 4 Port Tower KVM all of the computer you wish to connect to it must be powered down and unplugged. The StarView 4 Port Tower KVM uses proprietary 3-n-1 cables to connect the console to the computer; let me explain. On the end that attaches to the computer you will find the customary (male) PS/2 DIN-6 type connectors for the keyboard and mouse as well as the HD-DB-15 connector for the monitor. On the other end—the end that plugs into the console, however, is a single (male) HD-DB-15 connector (ordinarily KVM switch cables incorporate the same design on both ends). I like this design because it make the cabling much easier to handle, and it allows the designers to shrink the unit.
Use
Once the computer(s) is connected to the StarView 4 Port Tower KVM it (they) can be powered on and operated normally. As I indicated above, you can toggle between computers via the rocker switch on the front of the console, or you can use keyboard shortcut method to move between attached computers. Below is the keyboard hotkeys to use to toggle between computers; I find the method straight forward and in line with methodologies employed by other KVM switches:
Command Hotkey sequence
• Select computer 1 Left Ctrl + Left Ctrl + 1
• Select computer 2 Left Ctrl + Left Ctrl + 2
• Select computer 3 Left Ctrl + Left Ctrl + 3
• Select computer 4 Left Ctrl + Left Ctrl + 4
• Scroll between powered-on Left Ctrl + Left Ctrl + F2 + Up/Down arrow
The StarView 4 Port Tower KVMcan also Auto-scan for attached computers, pausing for a time at each powered-on unit before moving on to the next. Auto-scan will be suspended if any keyboard or mouse activity is detected by the switch; when the activity ends, Auto-scan will resume. Note: The auto-scan interval can be set to 3 seconds (default setting, represented by one beep), 8 seconds (two beeps), 15 seconds (three beeps) and 30 seconds (four beeps). The hot-key sequence to control the auto-scan function is detailed below:
Command Hotkey sequence
• Start auto-scan Left Ctrl + Left Ctrl + F1
• End auto-scan Left Ctrl + Left Ctrl
• Select Auto-scan interval Left Ctrl + Left Ctrl + F3
Likes
The biggest selling point of the StarView 4 Port Tower KVMis its small size, but it also its main drawback (see below). I like the cables, and the lack of an external power source (the console draws power from the computers PS/2 port); I already have enough block power supplies to open my own small electronics store specializing in the things. The front panel toggle makes it easy to switch between attached computers, but I also like the simple to remember keyboard short-cut keys, and the yellow LED that tell me which computer I am currently working with.
Dislikes
While I have not experienced any mechanical problems with the StarView 4 Port Tower KVM, I would think twice before purchasing another unit, or wholeheartedly recommending the product. The problems lie in form, not function; i.e. with even two cables attach to the back of the unit, it becomes unstable; that is it is pulled and tiled backwards by the weight of the cables. Installing all four cables would only make the situation worse. The problem lies in the StarView 4 Port Tower KVM’s small size; it is too small, measuring 1.9 inches (length) x 4.9 inches (width) x 3.9inches (height). The graphics on the various websites I visited before purchasing the unit, made it seem quite a bit larger.
If I had bothered to read and dimensions of the switch while I was doing the research for a new KVM, I probably would have passed, opting instead for a traditional horizontal model. Be that as it may, I have managed to make the StarView 4 Port Tower KVMstay upright on its base by shifting the weight of the cables elsewhere.
In the final analysis, I can live with the StarView 4 Port Tower KVMtilting hazard not withstanding. So far the unit works as advertised, has a small foot print, and is fairly attractive; I guess I’ll keep it around.
Features:
• Allows you to control four computers from one PS/2 mouse, VGA monitor and PS/2 keyboard.
• Unique 3-in-1 KVM cables prevent keyboard and mouse connectors from becoming loose from the console
• Supports PS/2 keyboard and mouse emulation for error-free PC startup.
• Will display up to 1920x1440 XVGA monitor resolution.
• No external power source, the console draws power from the computer’s PS/2 port.
• Front panel LED indicates active computer.
• Compatible with all operating systems
• One year warranty
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 52.99
Driver Availability: Windows, Linux, and Mac
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vemartin
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Member: Vincent
Location: Aurora, IL
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...A Great Empire cannot be Conquered from Without until it first Destroys itself From Within...
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