Digital Monitor Switcher Box???

M

mindbend

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I haven't started researching on the internet yet, so forgive me for throwing this out here, but I was thinking about trying to get a digital monitor switcher box so I could use my Mac and a PC through a cinema display.

I figured I could have my cake and eat it too this way. Use the Mac for the majority of stuff and switch over for Lightwave, games and some other PC-superior stuff.

I don't want this thread to turn into a debate on whether or not this is a good idea. I simply want to know if you know how doable it is. Are there digital monitor switcher boxes? Ideally, it would be a full monitor and USB peripheral switcher box.
 
There is an easier way. And it is a free download from Microsoft.

Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection works with the computers hooked up in a network which can be done using CAT 5 ethernet cables and a simple ethernet hub or router. Then knowing the IP address of the Windows PC, you will be able to connect and work on the Windows machine.

You can set up a PC to work with a Mac. First the Windows machine must have file sharing enabled and a user set up with permissions to install and work with applications and programs. You will need to do this first with a monitor and keyboard & mouse connected to the PC machine. Then connect the PC case to the Mac. No need for additional monitor or keyboard.

If you have any other questions about cross platform networks, check out the Networking & Compatibility. :)
 
Thanks for the info. Sounds very cool.

I did read through the N&C threads and found more information, but I've got some more questions. The other threads seem very old, so I'm not going to try and restart them. Please indulge:

1. Is it indeed true that you cannot have multiple users when using winXP? My hope would be to allow me and my coworker to share one PC via RDC on two OS X Macs. Apparently this is not doable?

2. What is the performance like? I would need it to be nearly 100% as good as the real thing. I'd rather pay for a switcher (found one, the DVI-Extend It, practically free at a mere $450!) if it meant I could have no performance breakdown.

3. Is it in some kind of "virtual" window or does it take over the entire screen?

4. Is the source/host PC unusable on its own if it has been "taken over" by another machine/Mac?

Thanks!
 
Remote desktop is a great idea and i sometimes wish Mac OS X had it built in, but for what you want it would be useless.

It is ideal for apps like word etc but as soon as you start using it for anything that uses the 3D graphics card it will crumble as it will need to do all 3D rendering in software (dog slow).

There are switches out there that do what you want. To take it one step further you may want to consider getting a full switcher (screen, mouse, keyboard). Theres no point in having 2 keyboards on your desktop!!

I have just had a quick look around and it seems there is a large price difference between a switch that switches dvi/adc and compared to regular vga.

there is something 'el-chepo' like this http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/en/product/XH4512
this uses the ps2 interface but alot of keyboards and mice come with ps2 to usb converters (damn - was that a usb->ps2? i can't remember)

have a good look around before spending 500 bucks! remember that is a new zealand website above so halve any prices you see. That kit would only be USD$50!
 
Quote:
I have just had a quick look around and it seems there is a large price difference between a switch that switches dvi/adc and compared to regular vga.
Profx,
DVI/ADC or VGA is for using two monitors on one computer. My understanding was the need for two computers with two platforms on one monitor.
Mindbend,
I suggest you post your following questions to the Mac OS X Networking & Compatibility which includes cross platforms. You'd probably get a quicker response.
 
what i meant was which interface you were using. New Graphics cards have different outputs to old ones (analog output use VGA while the new hard-core one use DVI). VGA switching box is much cheaper than a DVI swiching box (ie 2xDVI inputs (one from each computer) going to one dvi output)
 
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