Comment by poisonborz | Hacker News Reader

Comment by poisonborz | Hacker News Reader

Haha, just writing a "me too here", I just came to the same conclusion, but I think my setup is better and cheaper, if a tiny bit more complex. For example, the above would need to install to all computers which is a no go for me. Also this is dependent on the USB switching, cannot be triggered fully remotely.

- DDC commands for monitor input switching

- USB KVM that has only one button to switch - mine was 25$, there are plenty of models out there

- Stream deck or prebuilt macropads are super expensive (80$+) for what they are - a few buttons. Get a cheap AliExpress macropad, they go for 5-10-15$ and have all kinds of layouts. They are also much smaller, you can get just one, or 2-3-4 buttons. Don't use the crappy software they ship with, there are github projects to program them. https://github.com/rOzzy1987/MacroPad

- FingerBot 16$ (if you already have HomeAssistant, Zigbee+BT it's faster) or Switchbot 28$ (bluetooth, has a bit more delay) to press the USB KVM button.

- Then an AHK switch to watch for keyboard shortcuts, and trigger both the DDC commands and the USB switch button.

It has a few seconds delay, but it's controlled from one source only, and can be also fully triggered remotely.

Seems like we all have! I ran into quite a few hiccups when I tried to automate this with a Windows and MacOS machine with just a USB switch (bad DDC values, detecting device events, etc). https://nokappa.notion.site/Making-a-software-KVM-using-only...

I ended up mostly giving up because it was a bit janky and I always had something else in more disarray.

Sweet idea on the macropad! I haven't used them before and placement of the USB switch is always a pain.

I'm sure your setup has extra advantages over regular KVM switch and was an enjoyable hacking project for you. But from a price perspective, it's possible to buy a 4-way 4K HDMI KVM switch with a control pad on AliExpress for 29.25$. I don't know how much shipping to US will cost though, shipping to Europe was 15$.

I researched a lot for KVMs before. The problem is the video output is hard to get right. What about 120hz+, multi-monitor, how stable the thing is long term. I also thought this is a long solved problem but it isn't. Looking at Ali there isn't a model with too many reviews that can do the above.

At the end of the day this is what I would recommend, it is pricey but everyone swears to it: https://www.store.level1techs.com/products/p/14-kvm-switch-d...

It gets expensive too when you have > 2 monitors.

I want something like this, but my monitor doesn't support enough DDC commands for it. Any monitor suggestions?

You only need input source set. I think most mainstream brands support it - you don't need DDC directly, the easiest way is using the included driver which usually provides a utility console commands. Most common suggestion is something from Dell (with its Dell Display Manager).

Unfortunately I would need this to work on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and my home monitor (Samsung) only has a Windows driver. I can use a very simple m1ddc command on my Mac to select the input on my office monitor (Dell), but not my home monitor.

> the above would need to install to all computers which is a no go for me.

With your solution, one needs to install the AHK script on all computers though?

No. The macropad would be connected to one PC which would be the controller, so you press that regardless which output is selected, maybe this wasn't clear. But this is only needed to trigger - theorietically it could be triggered by a third device (eg RasPi connected to the display(s) via HDMI).

Maybe to add, this is also better than a KVM because it supports any number of display outputs which you can connect between the two devices. It's more practical to use a USB-C dock though.

Nice one!

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