USB and VGA KVM Cables

Is it the right kit for your switch model?

A KVM cable joins one computer to the switch, carrying video, keyboard and mouse, and sometimes audio. Some kits are three separate cables, a video cable, a USB cable and a 3.5 mm audio cable, while others are a single cable with a special connector at the switch end. The special type fits only the switches it was made for, and titles that name a switch model are not interchangeable with other switches. Match the video type of the switch too: VGA, DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort.

Length and picture quality on long runs

VGA and USB behave differently as the cable gets longer. USB 2.0 cables are limited to 5 m (about 16 ft) per segment, so the longest kits sit right at that limit. Analog VGA video loses sharpness and can ghost on long, thin or unshielded cables, which shows most at 1920 x 1080 or higher. For distances beyond that, a KVM extender, which sends the signals over its own link, is the usual answer. Keep video cables short, and check the maximum resolution the switch itself supports.

Questions about USB and VGA KVM Cables

Can I use any USB cable with a KVM switch?

Only if the switch has an ordinary USB-B socket for each computer. Many switches use a combined connector or require their own kit, so check the manual or the cable title for the switch model.

Why is the picture soft through my KVM?

VGA is analog, and long or unshielded cables blur the image, as can a low maximum resolution on the switch. Try a shorter, well-shielded video cable and confirm that the switch supports your resolution.

Does a KVM cable carry sound?

Only kits that include audio cables, used with a switch that routes audio. Some kits are listed as HDMI plus USB with audio, while a plain VGA and USB kit carries no sound.