KVM switch w/split-window or picture in picture... does this beast exist?

[Snake Charmer]

I'm planning on replacing my older KVM switch with a newer one that
lets you switch computers using the keyboard.

What I'm wondering is, does anyone make a KVM or video switch that can
show the video output from the non-switched computer in a window? So
far I've had no luck googling anything.

I frequently need to monitor tasks on the second computer so being
able to check it in a window would be less of a pain than switching
every couple of minutes or so.

If no such device exists, would it be possible to write a program that
could grab the signal from the non-switched video cable and feed it to
a window? Much in the same way that you can watch TV in a small window
while you work.

I find it hard to believe Belkin or Rose hasn't built this capability
into one of their products.

[Don Taylor]

Snake Charmer <spamtrap008@cox.net> writes:I'm planning on replacing my older KVM switch with a newer one thatlets you switch computers using the keyboard.
What I'm wondering is, does anyone make a KVM or video switch that canshow the video output from the non-switched computer in a window? Sofar I've had no luck googling anything.

This idea is so sleazy I'm almost ashamed of myself.

How about one of the cheap svga->television converters and then a
tv tuner card to suck that in and display the picture in a window?

The resulting quality would probably be horrible but if all you
need is a little window to peek at then both these parts are
commonly available.

[Bob Eager]

On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 06:32:42 UTC, Snake Charmer <spamtrap008@cox.net>
wrote:
I'm planning on replacing my older KVM switch with a newer one that lets you switch computers using the keyboard. What I'm wondering is, does anyone make a KVM or video switch that can show the video output from the non-switched computer in a window? So far I've had no luck googling anything.

How about doing it a different way and using VNC?
--
Bob Eager
begin a new life...dump Windows!

[Snake Charmer]

On 14 Feb 2005 09:14:36 GMT, "Bob Eager" <rde42@spamcop.net> wrote:
On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 06:32:42 UTC, Snake Charmer <spamtrap008@cox.net>wrote: I'm planning on replacing my older KVM switch with a newer one that lets you switch computers using the keyboard. What I'm wondering is, does anyone make a KVM or video switch that can show the video output from the non-switched computer in a window? So far I've had no luck googling anything.How about doing it a different way and using VNC?

Thanks for the idea. That definitely works. Only problem is, the
version of RealVNC I'm using (v4) doesn't seem to support scaling. My
hope was that the window would be about 1/8 screen. I can resize the
window but then I have to scroll. The online documentation shows a
scaling switch but it doesn't work. Must be for an older version. Got
any suggestions for any other VNC programs I can try?

[Snake Charmer]

On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 18:53:16 -0800, Snake Charmer
<spamtrap008@cox.net> wrote:

<snip>Thanks for the idea. That definitely works. Only problem is, theversion of RealVNC I'm using (v4) doesn't seem to support scaling. Myhope was that the window would be about 1/8 screen. I can resize thewindow but then I have to scroll. The online documentation shows ascaling switch but it doesn't work. Must be for an older version. Gotany suggestions for any other VNC programs I can try?

Ahh! I found an older version. Works perfectly. I found that setting
scale to 2/5 is just about right. At least on a 21" screen @ 1280 x
1024. This also has the benefit of letting me watch the other computer
when it's running Linux and over the internet. Wahoo!

For anyone that wants to try, here are some links...

(Windows) V3.3.7 <http://www.realvnc.com/3.3.7-download.html>
(Windows) V4.0 <http://www.realvnc.com/download.html>
(Other platforms) <http://www.realvnc.com/resources.html>
Dox <http://www.uk.research.att.com/archive/vnc/docs.html>