Belkin OmniView E Series 4-Port KVM Switch Review
Date : Thursday, 03 July 2003
By : Stygian
Provided By : Belkin

Introduction

With the way the computer market is right now, with hardware prices falling as new components are released faster and faster, chances are you have more than one computer if you know how to upgrade your computer. The reasons are pretty self-explanatory; usually two or more is better than just one. Even if your auxiliary computer or computers aren't made up of the best hardware available, they can still serve a purpose. The usually uses are, setting up a box to play around with, perhaps to get into a *nix OS of some sort, making a server to store your MP3s or backups, or maybe making a system for the rest of your family so they won't be bugging you to use yours. But for any situation where you will use the secondary systems, a problem arises: Having two sets of mice, keyboards and monitors can be troublesome, especially if space is limited.

That's where a KVM switch comes into place. A KVM switch (KVM stands for Keyboard-Video-Mouse) basically allows you to use one keyboard, mouse and monitor among several computers; you "switch" between which computer you're controlling, so you with the basic KVM you control one computer at a time. The advantage is that you don't have constantly physically switch peripherals among computers - since most computers' BIOS's will tell the computer not to boot if a keyboard is not present (unless you change this setting), KVMs are designed to at least respond to a signal from the computer to notify it that a keyboard/mouse/video signal is present, even if you're not switched to that specific computer at the time. Thus, with a proper KVM, you should be able to boot a computer without having to switch to it; your monitor should also be properly detected.

KVMs were originally designed for server admins and other people whose job involved accessing and controlling large banks of systems. We're talking dozens of computers that need to be maintained; however, most of you (I won't say all) don't have to control more CPU power than some smaller countries, but instead need a KVM switch for 2-4 systems, typical of what you'll find in a multi-computer home. Thus, the consumer KVM market was born; offering KVMs that didn't have all the features that were needed for KVMs used in an industry setting. This allowed manufacturers to offer KVMs at a price most consumers could handle. But, some consumer KVMs lost more than unnecessary features; some were sub par in performance, as they degraded the video signal causing an effect known as "ghosting" on the monitor, and some did not allow the computers attached to properly recognize the peripherals attached. This was, some would say an inevitable, downside to the proliferation of the consumer KVM.

So, today, I'll be looking at the OmniView E Series 4-port PS/2 KVM switch from Belkin; this is my third KVM review, so I have a little more experience than before. Bearing the "OmniView" moniker, Belkin clearly wants this KVM to have the reputation built by previous OmniView-series KVMs, which will undoubtedly been known by many who've worked with large numbers of servers; the OmniView name has certainly become popular with many admins. But, the E Series is the most economical of all present Belkin KVMs. Does it suffer from the negative effects carried by many "value" products, or is it able to live up to its namesake?

Specifications

As this is meant to be a basic KVM that does its required job well, without adding expensive features, the feature list of this KVM is fairly short. It doesn't support controlling a computer via USB, nor does it support audio switching, so you cannot share your speakers or microphone among your computers using this KVM. It's clearly meant to just take the basic features of other Belkin KVMs, and put them into an affordable package.

As with previous KVMs, no power supply is required. The KVM will power itself from the PS/2 ports of the computers that are attached. I've never liked this "feature", as I'd much prefer if the KVM drew power from a dedicated source like a wall outlet. However, it's not completely bad as the KVM does have a plug for an AC adapter - you'll have to buy/provide one yourself, though. Belkin does sell a proper AC adapter for this KVM, and you can see it here. You'll note that this KVM is PS/2 only; this means that your keyboard and mouse will have to support PS/2. This shouldn't be a huge problem, as most USB keyboards and mice that do come with PS/2 adapters, but you'll want to check this, of course. Personally, I still use all my mice and keyboards on PS/2 ports; I figure that because PS/2 ports are on my computer, I might as well use them, and I haven't seen an advantage for me to use the USB ports instead. You'll note that the KVM works with a wide range of operating systems; this doesn't really apply to this KVM, as this KVM is a device that is pretty much transparent to any software on your computer. Lastly, the KVM comes with a 2-year warranty - pretty good (coming from the peripheral expert Belkin, I'd expect this), as a lot of devices only come with a 1-year warranty, but pricier Belkin KVMs come with a 5-year warranty.

The E Series KVM has a pretty "standard" look to it, at least compared to the previous Belkin KVM I've reviewed. It's pretty much a rectangular box shape, with the top slightly sloped forward. It bears a sleek-looking silver/black colour scheme, so it'll fit in nicely with your computers, I'd think. The case is made of plastic, as you'd expect, and the unit is very light. It came well-packaged in a cardboard carton box. Also included was a quick start guide, manual, registration card and a small product-advertising pamphlet. As you can see, the overall package just included the basics. As with most KVMs, no cables are included; you'll need to purchase them separately, but the cables for this KVM don't run too expensive. The 6ft cables are listed for $19.99 USD at Belkin's site, and as this is the MSRP, you should be able to find them for less online.


The E-Series 4-port PS/2 KVM.
Well-packaged.
KVM and manuals - just the basics, ma'am.

The back of the KVM has all the connectors that will go out to your computers, and also has the console connector for your monitor. The monitor console connector is the one on the extreme left, all by itself in the first picture below. As you can see, each computer will have to be connected with three cables, one for each of the video, mouse and keyboard signals. Each set of ports is labelled with its number so you know which system is designated 1, 2, 3 or 4. The front of the KVM has the console connectors for your mouse and keyboard. This makes sense as typically the KVM will be behind your mouse and keyboard, so its advantageous at reducing cable clutter to have the cables for these devices leading forward from the front of the KVM.


Back of the KVM.
Front has mouse, keyboard console connectors.
Top has indicator LEDs and switch button.

The top of the KVM has LEDs for telling you which port/system you are currently controlling and the manual switch/select button. Pressing the button simply advances/switches the KVM to the next system. There are no buttons to go directly to a specific port; so if you're on system #1 and want to get to #3, you'll need to press select at least twice. Again, the absence of buttons to directly switch to a specific port is a lost feature indicative of this KVM's basic/economical classification that doesn't impede operation of the KVM, but certainly doesn't make things easier. However, you most likely will not be using manual control to switch the KVM from computer to computer, especially if you keep the KVM out of the way.

Most of the time, you'll use the keyboard shortcuts to switch computers. All of them begin with a double-tap of the [Scroll Lock] key. For example, to switch to port #2, you'd press [Scroll Lock][Scroll Lock], and then "2". To switch to the next active port, it'd be [Scroll Lock][Scroll Lock], and then [Up Arrow], or [Scroll Lock][Scroll Lock], and then [Down Arrow] to switch to the previous active port. Additionally, there is the AutoScan feature, accessed by pressing [Scroll Lock][Scroll Lock] and then the number "0" twice. This will cause the KVM to cycle through the ports/systems attached to it; it remains on each computer for 10 seconds before switching to the next. Exiting out of this mode and stopping at the present system requires you to press the space bar.

This method was very easy, and in no time I got the hang of it. Scroll Lock is not a key that is often used, so this hotkey method shouldn't interfere with most programs. However, some of the newer Microsoft keyboards have moved this key to a new, less accessible position; if you have such a keyboard, take note of this. However, the double-tap Scroll Lock method is much better than some older KVMs that used the CTRL key for a hotkey - I often use CTRL in games, especially FPSs, to crouch, and the use of a commonly-used key for a KVM switching shortcut could wreak havoc as then you'd be inadvertently switching between systems! Kudos to Belkin for picking sensible KVM switching hotkeys. Adding to the above methods for switching between ports is a small buzzer/speaker in the KVM that will beep whenever you switch ports or double-press [Scroll Lock] in preparation for a switch.


Bottom of the KVM has four grip feet.
Side profile; note reset switch and AC adapter plug.
Overall size is diminutive.

The bottom of the KVM has four rubber-like feet to maintain a grip on the surface that you put the KVM on. This is necessary, as the KVM is very lightweight indeed - in fact, I wished the KVM weighed a little more so that I didn't have to worry about it moving around due to the weight of the cables attached to it. The light weight of the KVM coupled with its small size (not much bigger than two or three packs of playing cards) allows it to be shifted easily, and though the KVM is meant to be placed on a desk, you'll have to bend and wiggle the cables that are attached to it in order to make sure the cables won't drag it off a surface. This is pretty much my biggest complaint with the physical aspect of the KVM - everything else is pretty good. The KVM's overall appearance will fit in nicely with any computer or computer peripherals as the silver and black colours match almost any setup, and the unit is very small at the same time.

On one side there is a reset switch and an AC adapter plug. I could not find what the reset switch was for, and can only assume it's for use when or if the KVM locks up or something similar. The use of an AC adapter is optional as mentioned before; you'll need to buy a 9V DC center-pin positive polarity adapter rated for at least 600mA in order to use it with this KVM. One is available from Belkin, as listed above, but you should be able to find one at your local electronics store. You'll only *need* an AC adapter if you plan just to use the KVM to switch between video signals and don't have a keyboard and mouse connected to the KVM, as the KVM draws power from the PS/2 ports of the computers that are attached to it. One last thing to note with this KVM is that unlike the pricier models, the KVM is not flash-upgradeable. I haven't had to flash upgrade the previous Belkin KVM I reviewed, so this may not be a problem, but rather just something again, to take note of.


Back connectors are arranged very neatly.
Won't take up a lot of space, anywhere.

Overall, the E Series are designed to be as basic and neat as possible. In this respect, I think Belkin has succeeded. The KVM will fit nicely on top of any desk should you put it there, and will also fit nicely on the floor, all the while not taking up too much space.

Installation

As mentioned before, the KVM does not come with any cables; you'll need to buy your own. The cables used during testing were Belkin's own, the OmniView all-in-one cable kit that has all three cables needed to connect a computer. The connectors are nickel-plated, and the cables have been double shielded for signal clarity, and additionally, the connectors all have strain reliefs for longevity. These cables are not expensive, and I can wholeheartedly recommend them, not just because they match the brand name of the KVM, but also because Belkin cables tend to be of high quality.

In any event, installation is simple because of the KVM's nature. All you need to do is turn off all your computers, then use the KVM cables to connect each computer to the KVM; you'll want to make sure you connect the cables to the same group of ports, so that the video signal of computer #1 goes to the same group as the mouse signal of computer #1. After connecting all of you computers, you must then connect your monitor to the proper console port on the KVM, and also connect your keyboard and mouse to the console connectors on the front. After that, pretty much everything's done! This KVM doesn't use USB like some others, so absolutely no drivers or software fiddling are required - physically connecting the cables is all that's needed.


The OmniView KVM cable kit used.
All three connections are included.
All 3 cables are molded into one for neatness.

All the connectors are clearly labelled as well as which group they belong to, so there should be no confusion during installation as to which cables are supposed to go where. The cables themselves are colour-coded (as per PC99 specs) so that keyboard and mouse connector should not be confused; however, only the inside of the connectors have the proper colours, so this makes it a bit more difficult than if the outside of the connectors had the proper colours.

As mentioned before, the mass of the cables tends to pull the KVM off the surface that it's been placed on. To alleviate this problem, you'll have to bend and position the cables in such a way that they don't exert too much pulling force on the KVM. This isn't hard, but it makes stabilizing the KVM on a table just that much more difficult, thanks mostly in part to the KVM's light weight and small size. The problem only gets worse if you have the maximum of four computers (and hence four sets of cables) connected to the KVM. You'll want to consider putting the KVM on the floor so you won't have to worry about it falling off. You won't have to worry about this because you can switch ports using the keyboard via the HotKeys feature.


Connectors are colour-coded to PC99 specs.
Cable connection is easy thanks to the labelling.
Cables tend to drag the KVM unless properly positioned.

After all of this, you can then power on your computers, and because the KVM emulates a mouse and keyboard on the ports that are not active, you should be able to properly boot a computer even if you're not switched to it. The only time this may become a problem is if you're using a mouse with more than three buttons, something like the Logitech MX500 or other similar mouse. I personally did not have any problems, but if you do, they should be solved by switching to a computer before powering it on, in order to get the computer to correctly detect the mouse in use.

Testing

I tested this KVM with two computers, one running Windows XP while the other ran Windows 2000; the keyboard used was an old Logitech Internet-something, while the mouse used was a Logitech MX500. The first thing I tested was basic functionality. The hotkeys function worked great for switching between computers, and I have quickly become accustomed to it. There is always an audible beep accompanying the switch, which may not be necessary. The KVM also beeps after you double-press Scroll Lock, telling you it's waiting for a number so it can switch to that port. In switching between computers, there is a delay of about two seconds, as the video and keyboard/mouse signals re-synchronize to ensure proper operation. The next thing I looked for was video quality. With the OmniView cable kit seen above, I noticed no problems at resolutions up to 1152x864 on my 17" Samsung 750b. However, at a resolution of 1280x1024, there was a slight difference in quality between using the KVM and directly connecting the monitor to a computer. This difference was not plainly evident, and required an almost side-by-side comparison, but showed itself as a slight blurring/ghosting effect around the edges of some images, especially when it was a dark edge on a white background. I should note that this effect was minimal, and pretty much required an up-close observation.

Keyboard and mouse support was excellent. The "special" keys on my keyboard, such as the multimedia ones and ones for e-mail, homepage, search, etc., worked with the KVM, so I was still able to use them with all the computers connected to the KVM. Additionally, I was able to use all of the buttons on the MX500 mouse (which was connected using the PS/2 adapter) with the computers connected. These were certainly two nice features welcomed into the value line of KVMs. I was also able to set the PS/2 refresh rate of the mouse port up to its max of 200Hz as one would normally. Lastly, the LEDs on the KVM serve to tell you which port you're currently on, as you can't expected a KVM of this price/class to have an on-screen display.

Conclusion

Overall, I was pleased by this KVM, which was a little surprise to me. Belkin indeed was able to pack the best of the basics into this KVM, allowing it to perform its job very well. Although it doesn't have USB or audio support, I rarely had a need for this features, and instead used pretty much only the essentials. Personally, I look for a KVM that offers proper PS/2 support so that I will be able to use all of the computers connected to it easily. In that respect, this 4-port E-Series KVM works very well, allowing even the "special" buttons/keys of mice and keyboards to be able to be used. Going PS/2 has the additionally advantage of not having to install any special drivers - and helps keep the price of the KVM down for this unit. This KVM doesn't offer many advanced features, but it does what it's supposed to do, and it does it very well - all for a low price.

Pros

Cons

Lastly, a big thanks goes out to Belkin for making this review possible by providing the sample unit!

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