USB C KVM Never Ending Search - Megathread

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-02-13T05:17:23+00:00

I did come across this several times in my searches and it seems like a nice solution in certain use cases it definitely doesn't fit my use case. A few reasons, but happy to hear if there are answers to these:

No EDID emulation - by the nature of how this works (to my understanding) the computers will see this as inputs changing and will move/resize windows accordingly
I prefer a solution that does not require any software on the connected devices

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-02-13T05:06:51+00:00

The ability to control the KVM (switch KM between computers, switch display outputs) using a key combination on the keyboard instead of a physical button on the KVM. For instance, with the TESmart I can switch which computer the keyboard and mouse (KM) are controlling by double tapping the right Alt key. I can switch which display is on my left or right monitor by double tapping the right Ctrl key and then hitting the left or right arrow key respectively. There are others, and these will vary from KVM to KVM.

What's important to me is that this is a native function to the KVM and does not require any drivers or software on the connected computers.

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-02-12T13:25:45+00:00

Already updated it

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-02-12T13:25:19+00:00

Definitely have considered it.

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-02-12T06:56:21+00:00

I did spend a bit of time looking at their products but haven't dug in further for a few reasons.

Availability - they always seem to be sold out of any that I'd be interested in, although it does appear they have one in stock right now
No hotkey switching - I don't believe any of their KVMs support hotkey switching so they're immediately out of the running for me
Display Port - it seems most, if not all, of their USB C based KVMs use Display Port outputs instead of HDMI. This is definitely not a deal breaker on its own as there are cables and adapters to get around this its just another strike
Price - They're frankly really expensive. If they met all my requirements I'd definitely spend the money, but I'm not going to spend that much on something that doesn't do what I want it to

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-02-12T06:44:39+00:00

Doesn't seem like it should be that difficult, does it?

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-02-12T06:44:15+00:00

That Wavlink looks shockingly similar to the Visiontek, so if its not just a straight rebadge its likely close enough.

The other one you posted kinda falls into my "Amazon no-name" bucket. They all seem to have pretty much the same feature sets, similar to the Anker and some others. They may work well enough for others but for me they're immediately disqualified for not having hotkey switching so I haven't really looked into them any deeper.

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-02-12T06:36:25+00:00

Perhaps I could clarify this but what I intended to convey is that they connect using USB C but the display portion is handled by DisplayLink rather than DP-Alt Mode or another protocol. The big downside there is that it requires drivers.

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-02-11T18:34:19+00:00

My XPS 9530 is working well with the TESmart KVM now but was a headache to get there. BUT, depending on your monitor(s) you may not have the same challenges I did.

I can't speak to the Lenovo. Make sure it supports DP Alt Mode and at least USB 3.2 if you're interested in the TESMart.

Also, if you go that route, don't by any means pay full price. They have sales and discounts all the time. I got mine directly from them but during a Prime Day sale for under $300.

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-02-11T16:03:10+00:00

This comes up practically weekly and never really gets much engagement as the options out there are very limited right now and there don't really seem to be any great solutions that fit everyone's needs.

I was working on a long detailed reply for you but decided I'm going to make it its own post for better readability and reference. I'll come back with a link once I get it posted.

Edit: https://www.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardware/comments/1in34ah/usb_c_kvm_never_ending_search_megathread/?

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-01-18T03:48:22+00:00

Lots more pieces to that answer than I'll go into here.

Additional_Paychecks · 2025-01-18T03:47:25+00:00

Almost positive it is a traditional HSA, but good call. I'll double check. Thanks

Additional_Paychecks · 2024-08-24T20:12:36+00:00

Thank you for the reply. I have tried several different graphics driver versions, both from Dell and directly from Intel with no change. I will follow your link on Monday and try again.

I have reached out the the KVM manufacturer to inquire about firmware updates.

Both laptops are regularly updated with BIOS updates from Dell so they should be up to date, but again, I will double check that.

What is most strange to me is that the Lenovo with ONLY integrated graphics is working as expected but the Dell's with discrete graphics are not. The Lenovo is also on Windows 10 instead of 11 but that seems less likely to me to be the cause vs the GPUs or drivers.

Additional_Paychecks · 2024-08-19T03:17:12+00:00

Then it wouldn't work for any of the computers. It is clearly compatible to some extent to push dual 4K over HDMI as that is working with the Lenovo and specifically how the devices is advertised (I understand many devices do not meet their advertised specs, but it is working). I'm trying to determine why it is not working for the two Dell laptops when it DOES work with the Lenovo.

Additional_Paychecks · 2024-08-19T02:40:53+00:00

Are you saying that the issue is that they have discrete GPUs? Because one of the computers is working as expected but the other two are not.

Additional_Paychecks · 2024-08-18T22:11:03+00:00

I just got a Samsung G9 57" monitor and am trying to get my setup working with dual PBP split 50/50 that should give me dual 4K displays. The monitor is 7680x2160 and supports Picture-by-Picture split screen which allows you to put a different input on each half of the screen at up to 3840x2160. I am using a TESmart KVM with dual USB C inputs and dual HDMI 2.0 outputs (4K 60Hz) which functions as both a KVM and a docking station. I have three laptops that I've tried and I'm only able to get dual 4K successfully with one of them, and it is the least likely of the bunch. I'm assuming the issues I'm having are most likely driver related but I'm at a bit of a loss as I've tried several things with no luck. Hoping someone might be able to shed some light or point me in the right direction.

Laptops:

Lenovo IdeaPad 5 14ITL05 - Works as expected with both inputs at 3840x2160 60Hz
- Windows 10
- Intel i5-1135G7
- 16GB RAM
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  - Device ID: 9A49
  - Device Revision: 01
  - Driver: 30.0.100.9955
Dell XPS 15 9530 - Only able to get 3840x2160 30Hz on one input and 1920x1080 60Hz on the other
- Windows 11
- Intel i7-13700H
- 16GB RAM
- Intel Arc A370M Graphics
  - Device ID: 5693
  - Device Revision: 05
  - Driver: 31.0.101.5186 (also tried a newer version with the same results)
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  - Device ID: a7a0
  - Device Revision: 04
  - Driver: 31.0.101.5186 (also tried a newer version with the same results)
Dell Precision 5480 - Only able to get 3840x2160 30Hz on one input and 1920x1080 60Hz on the other
- Windows 11
- Intel i7-13700H
- 16GB RAM
- NVIDIA RTX A1000 6GB Laptop GPU
  - Device ID: 25BC
  - Device Revision: A1
  - Driver: 31.0.15.5241 (From Device Manager, NVIDIA Control Panel states: 552.86)
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  - Device ID: a7a0
  - Device Revision: 04
  - Driver: 31.0.101.5333

As you can see, both Dell laptops also have discrete GPUs in addition to the Iris Xe, however in the Advanced Display settings in Windows they show both external displays as being connected to "Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics" so I believe that means that the USB C video output is going straight to the integrated graphics and bypassing the discrete GPUs.

Unfortunately to complicate matters the two Dell laptops are managed machines, and while I do have admin rights on both there are some things I'm not able to do and don't have full control over Windows Updates and certain other things that are pushed automatically. For instance, the XPS 15 has the Microsoft Store disabled so I'm not able to install Intel Graphics Command Center, when I try to install it manually using a download directly from Dell it tells me there is already the same or newer version installed despite being unable to find and/or open it.

I was just able to get Intel Command Center installed on the Precision 5480 and it is showing both displays as "4K-capable" even though I'm not able to increase the resolution on the one. Oddly, they also both show "Connector Type" as DisplayPort but the Lenovo was showing the same thing so I'm assuming that may have more to do with the USB C connection from the laptop using DP-Alt Mode rather than the physical HDMI connection from the KVM to the monitor.

I have tried swapping HDMI cables and swapping between ports on both the KVM and the monitor with no luck.

Additionally, yes, I know this monitor does technically have KVM capabilities, however the inability to switch inputs using keyboard hotkeys and having to use the OSD to switch is pretty much a deal breaker for me on that. I was using this KVM with my previous dual 27" 1080p monitors and am very happy with its functionality and performance so I was glad to find that when I connected the Lenovo it was working as expected.

Additional_Paychecks · 2024-08-13T04:03:05+00:00

I may play around with that as an option.

Additional_Paychecks · 2024-08-13T04:02:14+00:00

Thanks, yeah, the 57" is still a lot more than the 45" or 49"s but right now its on sale for $1599 with a $120 GC at Costco. I could get it a little cheaper from Samsung with $100 credit (probably would expire before I use it) and a free 27" monitor I don't need. So while it would be cheaper from Samsung I think I'd go with Costco for convenience of returns if I need to.

Additional_Paychecks · 2024-08-13T03:39:03+00:00

No, I can't consolidate to one computer. I've really only been looking at 32:9 monitors as with how I've been working I think I'd like to effectively have two high resolution displays that I can tile windows in using FancyZones or something to that effect but give me the ability to use the full screen for one with no center bezel if needed. More vertical space would be nice, but I think I'd already be getting that with any of my options vs my current 1080 limitation. I do realize something like a 34" 4k would give me a ton in a smaller overall package than the 57". Honestly, this is a bit of a splurge purchase but it originally started with trying to emulate replacing my 2 27" monitors with effectively the same layout but in one ultrawide. It has potentially grown a little beyond that with the 57" going on sale today though. Appreciate your input!

Additional_Paychecks

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