With the development of technology, more and more people need to use dual-host dual-monitor in their work. This way can improve work efficiency and allow users to handle one task on one monitor while handling another task on another monitor. However, how to achieve dual-host dual-screen and use a set of keyboard and mouse to control it? This article will introduce you in detail.
KVM Dual Screen Switcher
To implement a dual-host dual-monitor setup, you need the following equipment:
01、Two computer hosts: the graphics card supports 2-way video output, such as 2-way HDMI or this 1-way HDMI plus 1-way DP output.
02、Two monitors: the input must support 1 channel HDMI or 1 channel DP, or both monitors support HDMI input, or one monitor supports HDMI input, and the other monitor supports DP input.
03、A set of wired or wireless keyboard and mouse with USB interface.
04、A 2-in 2-out KVM switch: it can be an HDMI KVM switch or a DP HDMI KVM switch.
First look at the interface and function description of the KVM switch. If you are using an HDMI KVM dual-screen switch, the general interface and functions are as follows:
HDMI KVM dual-screen switch interface description
If you use a DP KVM dual-screen switcher, the general interface and functions are as follows:
DP KVM dual-screen switch interface description
Through the interface description of the KVM switch, we know the function of each interface. The HDMI A interface corresponds to the output of HDMI A, and the HDMI B interface corresponds to the output of HDMI B. It does not support HDMI A interface input and HDMI B interface output; the same reason The same is true for the DP KVM dual-screen switcher. The DP interface input corresponds to the DP interface. It will not output on the HDMI interface, nor does it support DP converted to HDMI signal output.
DP KVM dual-screen switcher graphics card connection diagram
The following will take the 2-in 2-out DP KVM dual-screen switch as an example to show you how to connect and use it.
Step 1: Connect the Monitor
Use a DP cable to connect the DP output interface of the KVM host to the DP input interface of the display; and then use an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI output interface of the KVM host to the HDMI input interface of the display.
Step 2: Connect the host computer
2.1 Use a DP cable to connect the DP input interface in the Input 1 logo box of the KVM host to the DP output interface on the computer host 1 graphics card.
2.2 Use an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI input interface in the Input 1 logo box of the KVM host to the HDMI output interface on the computer host 1 graphics card.
2.3 Use a USB printing cable to connect the USB input interface in the Input 1 logo box of the KVM host to the USB output interface on the computer host 1.
2.4 Use a 3.5mm male-to-male audio cable to connect the 3.5mm audio input interface in the Input 1 logo box of the KVM host to the 3.5mm audio output interface on the computer host 1. If not connected, output HDMI audio on the KVM switch ( optional).
The connection method of computer host 2 is the same as the connection method of computer host 1 above, except that it is connected to the interface in the Input 2 logo box of the KVM host.
Step 3: Connect the Keyboard and Mouse
Connect the wired keyboard and mouse to the USB port marked with the mouse and keyboard on the KVM switch; if it is a wireless keyboard and mouse, you only need to plug the adapter of the wireless keyboard and mouse into the USB port marked with the mouse and keyboard.
Step 4: Connect Audio
Use the 3.5mm to red and white double lotus audio cable and the 3.5mm interface marked Output with a small speaker on the KVM switch and the L/R channel audio input of the bookshelf speaker, or plug the earphones into the 3.5mm of the KVM switch On the top of the audio output, the audio output connection is completed.
Step 5: Connect USB Device (Optional)
You can connect printers, U disks and other devices to the USB interface marked with the USB HUB logo on the KVM switch. When the host is switched, the device will automatically switch to the corresponding host.
Schematic diagram of dual-host dual-display connection
Step 6: Toggle Controls
Press the 1 or 2 button on the KVM switch host to switch the control between the two computer hosts. Some of them support infrared remote control switching, and can also be switched by remote control; some support keyboard hotkey switching, through combination key to achieve fast switching; some support switching through the mouse; some support switching through RS232 protocol control.
Through the above steps, you can easily implement dual hosts and dual monitors to work together, and use a set of keyboard and mouse to switch and control, which greatly improves work efficiency and is more handy when dealing with multitasking!