Belkin Flip KVM Switch w/Remote - USB with Audio - F1DG102U

This item works fine when it works! I have a major issue with it. My new dell PC won't recognize Keyboard and Mouse connected to it during boot time. I need to pull out the USB cable till windows welcome screen appears. 2nd set of cable is too short!
 
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The environment was tailor-made for the product: two Dell computers, both newer than 2 years, XP-Home on both, USB 2.0 on both. Dell analog (SVGA) monitor. Dell USB Keyboard. Logitech USB Trackball. By way of isolating the issue, of course it was confirmed that the keyboard and trackball worked perfectly well when plugged directly into each of the computers. The product would switch the monitor and the audio fine. It was completely incapable of switching the keyboard and the pointing device. When booting, either computer showed a "keyboard error" (resulting in no keyboard connection) and no amount of random rebooting would cure it. Belkin tech support was responsive and we went through a series of tests, but it was ultimately determined that the product was not "compatible" with my system. Bear in mind that my systems are about as generic as it gets, so in my mind, that does not bode well for the product. In reading reviews on sites other than buy.com, I find that compatibility is mentioned as an issue in the vast majority of the cases. Since it is a simple electronic switch, it is mystifying as to why it won't handle something as routine as a USB keyboard and a USB pointing device, when USB 2.0 is a "standard" and thus the signals received by the KVM should be quite predictable. Given Belkin's reputation for quality, I was quite shocked that this product didn't function at all in my vanilla environment. I would (and have) positively NOT recommend(ed) this product to anyone!
 
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This is a great improvement over traditional KVM boxes. Small, cheap, and convenient, it works very well... when it works. <P>The first one buy.com shipped me was a dud (one of the two connectors never worked out of the box). After returning it and getting a replacement, things work fine. </P> <P>Two small annoying points: <br>1. The cable draws its power from USB connections at each computer, so there is a 2-3 second delay when switching between computers. Don't expect an immediate changeover, you have to wait for the previously inactive computer to load the USB device drivers, and then your mouse and keyboard will work. <br>2. The stereo cable connector is too short to reach my laptop's stereo jack, so I had to buy an extension. It would have been better to simply provide slightly longer cables for each connector type.</P>
 
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I'll probably keep this and use my DVI/VGA monitor buttons to switch my display, and use the Flip for switching my USB devices (wacom tablet + wireless monitor). The other setback I find is an odd issue with my Apple computer where if I have audio playing, it gets really static after flipping back and forth a few times. It's inconsistent, so it's not easy to troubleshoot. I'm planning on upgrading my machine soon anyhow and when I do, I'll probably get a Intel machine w/ Parrallels and do away with KVM forever anyhow. For now it serves its purpose and has a really nice small footprint on my desk. :) The image quality gets kinda fuzzy on my 24" monitor, but fine if I forego the KVM. All-in-all, the Flip is about 1/2 the price of other KVM's in it's class so if it is only doing 1/2 the work I generally expect from it, I'm still breaking even on my investment with it.
 
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Bought two for work and frees up so much desk space. Just wish Belkin made one that used PS/2 and USB2 in one unit. It's a little tight on the connection between plugs if you have to use an adopter from PS/2 to UBS2. Unit works great but follow instruction when first hooking up.
 
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As I reviewed before it does not work with my Dell monitor. Here is the response I got from Belkin: "Thank you for contacting Belkin Components. If it works with other monitors then it doesn`t seem to be defective but seems to be incompatible. We see issues with monitors that can do both analog and digital signals, we recommend using analog only monitors." Sounds defective to me?
 
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This item works GREAT and is well worth the purchase once you get it running, which in itself is simple as pie. Just make sure that when you plug in the little round toggle switch that you push the plug in all the way, not stopping at the first click. That took me close to 1/2 an hour to debug and trouble shoot and all that after I remember reading this same comment from another purchaser earlier. I was close to returning this because it just wouldn't work and then my daughter pushed that small plug in again and it lit up and worked. A minor problem that shouldn't be a problem at all but can cause frustration if not attended to. Other than that its great. Note, one set of cables is long and the other fairly short, so the main hub must be located nearer one of your computers.
 
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This is a great product. I haven't worked out all the nuances of this product but it does exactly what was advertised. I use it on two laptops - my personal computer and my work computer. I do not have administrator rights on my work computer but was able to install this hardware. I have a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse that connects via a single USB. This connects to the KVM via the keyboard USB. Pros: Very easy setup. Very easy to use. Cons: I still have cable clutter on my desk. The product seems to be geared to desktops. That is, the cables are too short to connect to a laptop unless your video, audio, and USB are very close together like they would be on a desktop. There is an extension for one of the audio cables. The cons I've listed are specific to my situation (connecting two laptops) I think the cons would go away if you have two desktops. Note: One of my laptops is an HP Pavilion - the other an IBM ThinkPad. There is a slight delay for the HP to recognize the keyboard and mouse when I 'switch' over to it - not so with the IBM. Also, the HP seems to drop the dual monitor view when I shut it off. The ThinkPad is not setup as a dual monitor so it does not lose the settings when I go to standby. Hope this helps.
 
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I bought a Microsoft USB keyboard that required a USB KVM switch. This KVM works well with my USB keyboard and mouse. Pros: * Works with my Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 keyboard * Optional installed software allows you to configure hot keys to easily switch * Sound Support * Ability to switch video only, audio only, or all. * Hard wired wires into base * Ease of installation Cons: * Flip button does not always work * Video switches over right away, however keyboard and mouse have about a 4 second delay (Thus the reason for a 3 in performance). Maybe this is normal with USB KVM's. I use to own a PS/2 KVM and there was little to no delay.
 
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Have been searching for an inexpensive KVD for awhile now and all that were suitable were $100+. This works great. Once in awhile one of the computers doesn't recognize the keyboard, but I just flip it back again and then it works. Love being able to use one keyboard, mouse and monitor and the sound is a bonus! Thanks, Tina
 
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This is a great switch at a great price. I use it to switch back and forth between my iBook and my Dell, and it does so flawlessly.
 
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This switch works just fine. There is a little lag for each system to recognize the keyboard and mouse when you make a switch, but I'm not sure if more expensive models are any faster at this. It most likely is just the normal five seconds of lag when you plug in a USB device. IMPORTANT: Push the remote's plug in as far as it can go. I thought mine was broken when I got it, but there was about 1mm where it wasn't pushed in all the way which causes the remote to act dead. Stupid of me, I know, but just letting the other idiots out there know
 
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I got this KVM to switch back and forth between my old Dell PC and my new mac mini. It shipped quickly, and was extremely easy to setup. The color-coding is a plus, and the remote is nice too. I am able to hide the mess of cables (the downside of most KVM switches) in my desk, and just use the remote to switch between mac and pc. Switching is quick, and no weird keystrokes are needed with the remote. It also requires no external power supply, which is a plus for me...I hate leaving devices on all the time, and my power strip is pretty much filled up anyway. The only thing that would have made this the perfect KVM is if it had peripheral sharing.
 
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I don't know why I didn't do this earlier! It took a little bit of time to get everything set up and recognized by both my desktop and laptop, but I like it! I had some issues with the USB port on my docking station for my laptop where it wouldn't recognize the keyboard, but the mouse worked fine (??). When I plugged the USB connection from the Flip directly into the laptop, both mouse and keyboard worked no problems. Something with the docking station, just a note if you have one.
 
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Currently switching between two XP Dell boxes. 1 old PIII desktop and a new Dual-core desktop. Sharing a 21" Flat Panel Widescreen, usb keyboard, and usb mouse. Be aware that the audio switching works only with a set of desktop speakers. The subwoofer does not work when using FLIP. If you want to use your multimedia speakers (desktop speakers, subwoofer, etc.), you'll need to buy a more expensive KVM or use a "line out of one desktop to line in of the other desktop" solution. Otherwise, FLIP is compact and aesthetically nice. The remote swit