HDMI splitter/switcher for 2 PCs wanting to use 2 screens


  1. Posts : 14
    Windows 10 Home
       #1

    HDMI splitter/switcher for 2 PCs wanting to use 2 screens


    OK, I have at my office table 2 PC's and I have 2 - 32" 1440p monitors.

    I currently have it setup that each PC has it's own screen. But I would like it if there was an HDMI splitter/switch that would allow me to switch so that either PC could have dual monitor setup. Not at the same time of course as that would seem impossible.

    Is there such a switch/splitter? Each PC only has one HDMI input, at this point anyway. I believe the monitors have 2 HDMI jacks.

    Or is there a better way to accomplish 2 PCs sharing two screens and have the ability to allow either to have it own separate screen or either to be dual monitor?

    More searching I found that they make KVM switches like this: https://www.amazon.com/CKL-Monitor-E.../dp/B07KVJ54X2 not sure exactly how that would work though....yet ;-)

    - - - Updated - - -

    Would there have been a better sub-forum to post this question in? Or is it something that most are just not familiar with?
    Last edited by g725s; 13 Jul 2019 at 12:08.
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  2. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #2

    KVM switches allow you to share Keyboard and Mouse with multiple computers and a single monitor, thus the KVM. what exactly do you plan on using this method to do, especially since HDMI has handshake issues with KVM’s and you need to use either DVI or VGA.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 516
    Windows 10 Professional 64bit
       #3

    What you linked should work. You need a KVM that will switch to two inputs instead of one.
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  4. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #4

    Hi there
    In addition to the KVM switch you could also get a 4 port HDMI switchbox -- this would allow you to switch one monitor between systems via HDMI and if it's say a laptop you can still use 2 monitors via the W+P button.

    Remember though if you are also using the HDMI for audio you'll lose that when switching the HDMI connection to another computer.

    Cheers
    jimbo
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  5. Posts : 14
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       #5

    jimbo45 said:
    Hi there
    In addition to the KVM switch you could also get a 4 port HDMI switchbox -- this would allow you to switch one monitor between systems via HDMI and if it's say a laptop you can still use 2 monitors via the W+P button.

    Remember though if you are also using the HDMI for audio you'll lose that when switching the HDMI connection to another computer.

    Cheers
    jimbo
    Thanks. I don't feel I need just that. I want either PC to have the quick ability to have dual monitor(extended desktop) depending on what PC I want to use, or each PC to just have their own single display. But if all I could have is one of those features I would prefer the extending display for each PC.

    And best would be to control either PC with one keyboard and mouse. But if I had to have a set of Keyboard/Mouse for each PC my desk has the room for that, and I could live with that, but feel it would limit productivity
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  6. Posts : 856
    Windows 10 Pro 21H2 build 19045.2193 Dual Boot Linux Mint
       #6

    A bi directional HDMI switcher would do the job, 1 in 2 out or 2 in 1 out. Example https://www.amazon.co.uk/HDMI-Switch...gateway&sr=8-4

    If you have the PC's networked then you could use a software mouse keyboard solution see here 4 Free KVM Switch Tools to Share Keyboard and Mouse on Multiple Computers • Raymond.CC

    I use Input Director on 3 PC's with 1 keyboard and mouse.
      My Computers


 

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