KVR Audio

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 4:33 am

Right now, i have two monitors and two computers; one machine gets just one monitor, while the other gets two when i switch it with the kvm. I would like for both machines to be able to use at least two monitors. I have a third monitor to throw into the mix. I would need the middle monitor to be the primary display for both though or for a way to use both monitors for both computers. How would you set it up?

Devon

Musical Gym · Post by **Musical Gym** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 5:40 am

I don't know if you could run Remote Desktop from each computer and log on remotely from each, then switch between local and remote views for each. You can also size the remote view to see local and remote at once. Not sure if it's practical for your goal(s).

camsr · Post by **camsr** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 11:11 pm

I don't think that's practical with a KVM switch. How do you get two monitor signals through one KVM to two monitors?

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 11:14 pm

DevonB wrote:Right now, i have two monitors and two computers; one machine gets just one monitor, while the other gets two when i switch it with the kvm. I would like for both machines to be able to use at least two monitors. I have a third monitor to throw into the mix. I would need the middle monitor to be the primary display for both though or for a way to use both monitors for both computers. How would you set it up?

Devon

Just wondering, what would be a use case for that kind of setup? I must admit that i don't even get why you need to run 2 computers at a time, and even share a display.

burkek · Post by **burkek** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 11:38 pm

I just switched from using 2 computers with 3 monitors to 1 computer with 3. But here's how it was:

Both computers connected to KVM switch w/2 VGA ports.
Computer 1 connected to main (center) monitor via HDMI.
Computer 2 connected to main monitor via VGA and to the other 2 monitors also via VGA (I had 2 video cards in this computer).

The trick for you will be in having enough video outs on each machine and enough different inputs on each monitor. If each monitor had HDMI and VGA inputs, you could use any combination of those on each machine to get 3 monitors working simply by switching the KVM and also switching inputs on the monitors manually.

Not pretty, but it works.

KEv

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:26 am

chk071 wrote:
DevonB wrote:Right now, i have two monitors and two computers; one machine gets just one monitor, while the other gets two when i switch it with the kvm. I would like for both machines to be able to use at least two monitors. I have a third monitor to throw into the mix. I would need the middle monitor to be the primary display for both though or for a way to use both monitors for both computers. How would you set it up?

Devon
Just wondering, what would be a use case for that kind of setup? I must admit that i don't even get why you need to run 2 computers at a time, and even share a display.

This is my current work and personal setup. I work from home and need two monitors for work, but i would like to have dual monitors for my own personal machine too. I have a third monitor i dont have in use right now. If i could leverage it somehow, it be nice.

Also, i have two machines in the studio as well. I have a creamware pulsar card that i want for the onboard synths, but my main daw i need more inputs, so i use a motu 828 mkiii.

Devon

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:30 am

Musical Gym wrote:I don't know if you could run Remote Desktop from each computer and log on remotely from each, then switch between local and remote views for each. You can also size the remote view to see local and remote at once. Not sure if it's practical for your goal(s).

Ive done that on my studio setup before. The main problem is remote desktop only supports single monitor.

Nice idea though.

Devon

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:34 am

camsr wrote:I don't think that's practical with a KVM switch. How do you get two monitor signals through one KVM to two monitors?

I know i cant. Im just describing what i had at least in hopes someone might have a better solution or just give me a different idea. Like i learned about Mouse without Borders froma friend when i was trying to come up with a solution for 1 mouse and keyboard for my studio setup and my monitors will allow input switching built in. So no kvm needed for that one and the software was free.

I will say its a little weird and slow but for how often i need it, it will work awesome!

Devon

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:41 am

burkek wrote:I just switched from using 2 computers with 3 monitors to 1 computer with 3. But here's how it was:

Both computers connected to KVM switch w/2 VGA ports.
Computer 1 connected to main (center) monitor via HDMI.
Computer 2 connected to main monitor via VGA and to the other 2 monitors also via VGA (I had 2 video cards in this computer).

The trick for you will be in having enough video outs on each machine and enough different inputs on each monitor. If each monitor had HDMI and VGA inputs, you could use any combination of those on each machine to get 3 monitors working simply by switching the KVM and also switching inputs on the monitors manually.

Not pretty, but it works.

KEv

Youre right about not pretty.

i get what you were doing at least. That gave you one monitor for one computer and three for the other. What id like to do is monitor 1, 2, 3 from left to right, id like 1 and 2 for computer one and 2 and 3 for computer 2.... And i think i just figured it out. I can make one computer be secondary on monitor 2 and primary for monitor 2 for the other computer. Ill have to give ot a shot. Thanks guys!

Devon

camsr · Post by **camsr** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:57 am

Is it HDMI/DVI or DVI/VGA? Man , I do not envy anyone who has to use high resolution VGA

digitalboytn · Post by **digitalboytn** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 1:07 am

I would put the 2 computers on the floor and the 3 monitors at eye level in front of you....

That would work

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 11:35 am

I'd use one monitor as the main display for each, and use the KVM switch to switch the third to either. Easy, not??

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 11:35 am

I'd use one monitor as the main display for each, and use the KVM switch to switch the third to either. Easy, not??

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 1:40 pm

BertKoor wrote:I'd use one monitor as the main display for each, and use the KVM switch to switch the third to either. Easy, not??

Going to try from left to right -

Monitor 1 - Only to Computer 1 as Primary Display
Monitor 2 - KVM switch - Secondary display for Computer 1/Primary Display for Computer 2
Monitor 3 - Only to Computer 2 as Secondary Display

That way it'll be a continuous display for both computers.

Devon

whyterabbyt · Post by **whyterabbyt** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 2:17 pm

DevonB wrote:
Musical Gym wrote:I don't know if you could run Remote Desktop from each computer and log on remotely from each, then switch between local and remote views for each. You can also size the remote view to see local and remote at once. Not sure if it's practical for your goal(s).
Ive done that on my studio setup before. The main problem is remote desktop only supports single monitor. Nice idea though.

Devon

I know that TightVNC and Splashtop both support multiple monitor setups, albeit in slightly different ways. Splashtop lets me switch between each of the 3 screens of my 'main' home machine, TightVNC maps them onto a single larger scrolling screenspace.

Three monitors, two computers, how would you do it?