VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Dan-O]

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[bobsouer]

Dan,

I think you should be able to find a KVM switch that would let you do what you want. You just wouldn't switch to a different computer, ever. They have them with USB and audio connections as well as video, keyboard and mouse.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[ballenberg]

For all this kind of stuff, I love cyberguys.com. Like an accessory and cabling toy store, and excellent customer service.

[Brad Venable]

I prefer monoprice.com for my cabling needs, but as always, YMMV, based on preference and availability.
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Brad Venable
The Voiceover Superhero!
"Saving the world thirty seconds at a time."

[todd ellis]

i've had good luck with monoprice.com too - also greatcables.com

as i think about it - if you DO need a kvm switch - i happen to have a starview 2 port dual usb kvm switch with dual monitor dvi ports, usb & audio that i'd probably sell for $100 - PM or email me if you want to talk about it. it's a hullava versatile switch.

since i moved to the mac/pc in one box i no longer need the switch.

*** looks like i GREATLY over-priced that switch - or i paid too much! anyway - there's on on ebay right now with a starting bid of $1
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[Dan-O]

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[bobsouer]

Dan,

That's essentially what a KVM switch (and the associated cables) is for a computer. K=keyboard, V=video. M=mouse. If the KVM switch suports USB and/or audio there are also ports (and cables) for those as well.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Dan-O]

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[todd ellis]

the switch only comes into play if you are using 2 computers (switching between a mac & pc - or an on-line and off-line box) - it sounds like you only need cables.

most of the long kvm cables i've seen are ps2 (no clue why - maybe i'm just not looking in the right places) so - you might have a hard time finding an all-in-one - but i just bough a 25' dvi cable on ebay for $26 - and you can certainly pick up long usb & fw cables. you could run one long usb cable back to your box and just plug in a hub at your station. i would also suggest some kind of wire-run to keep everything neat (voice of experience here) it can get messy fast.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[cyclometh]

I've never seen all-in-one snakes for computers. I think the biggest reason is that they have so many different interface combinations that can change even over the lifetime of a single machine, they're simply not economical.

That said, I offer you the cheap and easy solution: Zip-Ties. Just run your cables and put zipties every 3 feet or so to keep them bundled. If they're vastly different lengths you may want to purchase some that are of similar length.

That and cable runs if you're going a good distance are worth the cost.
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Corey "Vox Man" Snow
http://voxman.net

[kgenus]

Dan,

What you want is called a Console Extender, they're not exactly what I would consider 'low cost' at $300 because it might be cheaper in the long run to just buy an iPad and use a remote control session -- BUT you can use a console extender to control a computer up to 450ft away and work safely without any drop outs ( the nodes maximum distance over CAT5 is 500ft.

As it pertains to FW, the maximum distance is 15ft and to be honest, I haven't done the research to see if this spec has changed in the last few years. When I owned a Digi002 I tried it with a 15ft cable and it wouldn't work, DigiDesign said it was limited to 10ft (and that was 2006 if memory serves me correctly).

As for the printer, would that be connected to the remote computer or in your studio? If in the studio, is a wireless printer an option? iPad on a stand would address that, potentially, as well.

If you do hire a professional, hire an electrician, not a network engineer. In the ten years I hired both, electricians were always in and out much faster than the network engineers, who also tried to up-sell me on all the problems I knew did and didn't exist. Just make sure they install CAT5 and get yourself a cable tester to test everything before they leave your house because once they leave, they're g.o.n.e.

Kevin
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Genus

[Bruce]

There are powered hubs for FW and USB, but how much longer a distance they'll let you run I'm not sure. Up to 15' to a hub and another 15' after that could take you farther than you want to go I'm guessing.


B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Dan-O]

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[D Voice]

yes, you need an extender (if you are always going to be using the computer in one location; or some kind of KVM splitter if you want to use it in more than one location. Beware, the typical (and inexpensive) KVM box such as one linked above is for a keyboard, monitor and mouse controlling multiple computers. That may be useful for you if you have more than one computer.

But if, like me, you possibly want to use the screen and keyboard when you record at a location that is distant from the computer, but also use the location near the computer. For that, you'd need a splitter that will allow you to do so- they are more rare, and run $200 on up, unless anyone has found anything more reasonable.

[whalewtchr]

Mac-Mini. Very quiet. You don't know that it is there.
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jonahcummings