I have gone through 4 or 5 cheap USB and/or KVM switchers over the last 10+ years and need a one-and-done solution to settle on. I have burned/melted most because of my power needs.
3x machine switching.
3x - 4x USB2.0 webcams that pull ~400mA each. So, 2.0 Amps.
2x USB2.0 Condensor Microhones. Low voltage, but very sensitive to latency.
3+ USB devices such as KB, mouse, drawing tablet, etc.
Over the the years, I’ve gotten by with a hodgepodge of externally powered USB3.0 hubs that I connect to a cheap USB3.0 KVM. I even invested into commercial hubs with lots of amps - I’ve blown/smells hot/melted all of them.
Is it common to “switch” 8+ USB devices from one device to another? All Linux if that matters - Windows never liked me doing this in the past.
One wrench in this design is my laptops high-end docking station that uses TB4 to the dock, where it is then split to TB4 and USB outlets. Power is not used as it has a separate monster 300W power brick for power. I’d like the switch most accessories to/from this docking station as well.
Monitor switching isn’t as big of a concern. My monitors have multiple inputs and I don’t mind letting things auto from one input to another while everything sleeps the displays. Though I will admin some “wake up from sleep modes” don’t take control over the monitor for auto switching like it should. So let’s say the “V” in KVM is a nice to have. DisplayPort, 1440p Ultrawide resolution at 165 Hz. So it needs to support that if so. Laptop uses TB4 to dock, and the 60Hz HDMI.
Is there a Level1Techs KVM that can support this? Is there a robust solution with high power USB3.0 hubs and switching?
So you’ve got 3 computers that want to share everything else? Am I understanding you correctly?
Why not just use something like this? Go to the USB data hub menu
I’ve been using their 10 port hub for years. Pretty solid. And since the hubs provide the power for the gizmos, the kvm is spared the load. And on the hub I have (10 port combo) 12V/5A power, switches for each port.
Fwiw, I use that hub to charge the jump batteries in my car.
I actually have a very similar one just like this metal one with switches per port right now.
The AC adapter overheated and stopped worked/very hot to the touch and smells that electronics burning plastic smell. Now over 1 years no warranty. Which is par for the course of my roasting so many of these USB powered hubs. As mentioned above, I’ve even used more commercial hubs with dedicated 12V-36V screw terminals. And even they stop working after a few years.
I don’t know. It all does seem to be around using my 3 to 4 C920 webcams at the same time for OBS for hours/days on end (streaming 3D printers to fish tanks). My USB meter always shows a draw or 250 mA with spikes to ~450 mA at times for each device. But maybe they spike or pull more power than they are rated when I’m not monitoring?
I have not invested into newer cameras because I suspect newer USB3 webcams draw a hell of a lot more power and I couldn’t wrangle just usb2 power. But now as I write this, part of duck-typing, maybe I do need to replace the webcams. They are all well over 10 years old and pretty much been the one constant throughout these issues (besides the condensor mics).
Always on a sinewave UPS too to cleanup the line noise.
