Two Computers - One Keyboard

Barry W. Hull wrote on 2/15/2013, 5:59 AM

I am purchasing another computer which will be used exclusively for Vegas. I am familiar with Remote Desktop Connection, have used it often, but only with a laptop connecting into my main business machine when I travel, never used it with Vegas. I would like to avoid two keyboards and four monitors, but wondering if "remoting" into a machine for Vegas is an acceptable experience.

The remote login always seems to look slightly "different", not sure if it will work well with editing videos. My office space would be rather awkward and crowded with two complete systems, so hoping to combine keyboards and monitors. I think I would prefer to remote into the Vegas machine since I will use that machine much less often, the majority of my day I am not using Vegas.

Maybe rather than "remoting" into my second machine there is a switch that simply alternates a keyboard, monitors, mouse, ShuttlePro, etc., between two machines.

Anyone with experience on this?

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i am erikd wrote on 2/17/2013, 2:36 AM

How does hardware benefit over software? I am assuming it is because you want to use the same monitor because that is the only advantage I can see of using hardware over software. Software is really slick.

No pushing buttons. I can instantly operate three different computers using one keyboard/mouse anytime I want. I can copy paste text between computers which comes in handy a lot more than I realized initially. They are close to getting drag and drop working between computers soon which will also be very slick.

Erik

farss wrote on 2/17/2013, 4:46 AM

"How does hardware benefit over software?"

Because it just works or not and there's no overhead.
It'll also work even without the OS running and doesn't care about the OS or drivers.

Bob.

Barry W. Hull wrote on 2/18/2013, 3:49 PM

For those of you with a dedicated editing machine, what exactly do you load into it? Vegas, associated plug-ins, and other Sony software only? Just how dedicated is dedicated?

I've got a new box on the way, and want to avoid the time wasting frustration of conflicting software beating up on Vegas, creating issues I am unable to solve, curious what others put on a dedicated box.

DrLumen wrote on 2/18/2013, 4:39 PM

While using KVM's for many years there are a couple of things to keep in mind...

One is that it should emulate the mouse and keyboard at system boot. I think most do this now but there may be some out there that don't. If not, you will get a mouse error whenever you blindly boot a system.

Another is the video resolution. Some of the really cheap ones may say 1920x1080 but have a lot of noise or ghosting in the display.

I've been using a Raritan Switchman for my home systems going on 10+ years. It's getting long in the tooth (still uses PS/2 ports) but still works fine.

farss wrote on 2/18/2013, 4:39 PM

"For those of you with a dedicated editing machine, what exactly do you load into it"

Only what needs to be. I have a couple of versions of Vegas, namely V9 and V10, plus CS 5.5 and a few benign utilities.

Bob.

Chaotica wrote on 2/18/2013, 10:51 PM

I second InputDirector. Works great as long as your network is solid. Has setup options for multiple monitors on each system connected plus works with as many systems as you want to link up(have used it with 3 desktops across 3 monitors & 2 laptops with both wired & wireless network links). The simplicity of merely mousing from one system to the next is grand - that is until you lose track of where you last left the mouse cursor!

Barry W. Hull wrote on 2/25/2013, 5:54 AM

Tom, took your KVM suggestion, works like a champ, now two boxes, one set of controls, Ctrl + Ctrl 1 or 2, to switch back and forth, terrific.

Tom Pauncz wrote on 2/25/2013, 9:53 AM

GR8 Barry! Glad it worked out well for you.
Tom