jxk716 0 Posted March 6, 2011 I am installing a 16 cam system in a new building and will be using a KVM to view/control the DVR located in the server room - about a 120 foot run from the security station. Has anyone out there worked with a KVM? Any suggestions for a specific type given a security setting? The DVR is PC based and has 2 sets of Keyboard/Monitor/Mouse inputs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clarkep 0 Posted March 6, 2011 Hi clarkep here I have a kvm swich box my self it allows me to connect my home cctv computer and my family computer to one hdmi screen by a dvi cable and allows me to use one mouse and keyboard to control both computers but i can only control one computer at a time my kvm also allows me to connect perferals (eg) printer or scanner (etc) and use them with both computers here are two pictures of my kvm swich box one of the back the other of the front. to do what you want to do though you will need a kvm that connects to the computers by ethernet ports as you can control more than 2 computers through 1 screen with those ones and because you can get ethernet cables that are alot longer than dvi cables can go i have included a picture of the type of one you should be looking for but you will have to contact avocent and they will help you choose the one you need for your requirements. here are the pictures of the type of one you will need one pic of the back and one pic of the front. i will have to add the pic of the back of the kvm you will need on another post. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clarkep 0 Posted March 6, 2011 hi clarkep here here is the picture of the back of the kvm i think you will need. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
survtech 0 Posted March 6, 2011 (edited) I am installing a 16 cam system in a new building and will be using a KVM to view/control the DVR located in the server room - about a 120 foot run from the security station. Has anyone out there worked with a KVM? Any suggestions for a specific type given a security setting? The DVR is PC based and has 2 sets of Keyboard/Monitor/Mouse inputs. What do you mean by "security setting"? We use KVMs to switch our rack-mounted monitor between our 35 servers. There are a number of them that use CAT5 cable to interconnect; allowing longer runs of cable. Check out the Belkin OmniView line. Other manufacturers include Dell, Lantronix and StarTech. Do a web search for "IP KVM" or "KVM over IP". They're not cheap, though. By the way, why wouid you need a KVM to control one PC from one location? All you need would be either remote access enabled if both are connected to the network or extender(s) to directly connect the keyboard, mouse and monitor the 120 feet. Edited March 6, 2011 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted March 6, 2011 It's not clear what you want to do... do you JUST want to extend your system's head, or do you want to switch between two or more remote systems, or do you want to switch the head between one local and one remote system, or...? DVI extension can get really pricey... VGA is a lot cheaper. We've used ATEN extenders frequently, and found they work really well. The model we generally use has a set of ports for a second head on the "local" end, so you can have a keyboard/monitor/mouse right by the system as well as a remote set. They also work well with a KVM switch at the remote end, to toggle between two remote systems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jxk716 0 Posted March 6, 2011 It's not clear what you want to do... do you JUST want to extend your system's head, or do you want to switch between two or more remote systems, or do you want to switch the head between one local and one remote system, or...? Sorry for the lack of detail. All I need to do is extend the DVR's keyboard, VGA and mouse over Cat 5 for about 120 feet from the server room to the security station where the police officer will sit. In other words, all the officer will have is a monitor, keyboard and mouse. The DVR will be in the server room. In our current configuration (different building) the officer uses live view, playback and PTZ at the DVR (which is about 3 feet below the monitor). I am not crazy about using the DVR's remote software over the LAN because it does not have the capability of playback and PTZ like at the regular DVR software. However I do plan on using the remote software on multiple PCs around the office. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted March 7, 2011 Check out the ATEN link in my previous post - there are several models there that should suit your needs, including those with audio and RS-232 support. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
survtech 0 Posted March 7, 2011 If it's a Windows-based DVR, you could just try enabling Remote Desktop on the DVR and remotely accessing the DVR from another PC. To do this, if it has Windows XP, right-click on My Computer, click on "Remote" and check the box that says "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer". On the workstation, click on . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted March 7, 2011 Remote Desktop (and similar tools like RAdmin, VNC, etc.) are handy in a pinch, but really not great for regular DVR operation - even on a 100Mbit LAN, they tend to be either slow and chunky, or scale back the color depth so things don't look right. And if you're using a hardware overlay card, most will only show you a blank square for the cameras. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clarkep 0 Posted March 7, 2011 hi clarkep here again just wanted to mention when using a kvm plugged into your computer and cctv server of course as far as i know you can only control one computer at a time through the one monitor but when you swich to the cctv server to view the cameras using the kvm you can actually see the camera screens they will not be blank screens where the cameras are supposed to be like you get on software of the internet that allows you to remote connect to any computer when you try to view your cameras. P.s. hope you found the pictures i put on my last reply to you of my kvm useful and the pictures of the kvm I think you will need useful as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeromephone 6 Posted March 12, 2011 We have used the kvm over cat 5 on several installs. It works fine and then you have control over the server. If you just extend the monitor you have to go back to the server to review or change things around. We have had some problems with the belkins they seem to die on us after a year or so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted March 12, 2011 I am installing a 16 cam system in a new building and will be using a KVM to view/control the DVR located in the server room - about a 120 foot run from the security station. Has anyone out there worked with a KVM? Any suggestions for a specific type given a security setting? The DVR is PC based and has 2 sets of Keyboard/Monitor/Mouse inputs. Adder is a specialist in this field. Some of their unit offer auto skew adjustment. Issues to look at are mouse/keyboard type (USB or PS2) if you need audio, RS232 for touch screen or USB extension for ancillaries. Ilkie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thewireguys 3 Posted March 12, 2011 (edited) What DVR are you using? Depending on the price of the KVM setup why not invest into a new recording device that has remote client software with full control? Edited March 12, 2011 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomcctv 190 Posted March 12, 2011 we have used many KVMs over the years. and i will now only use these. does everything including touch screens/ mouse/keyboard/ and printer. Lindy pro. http://www.lindy.com/lindyshop/manuals/32396.pdf Share this post Link to post Share on other sites