eKL KVM Switch, 8 Port v2.0 HDMI KVM Switch Supports Hotkeys Swapping 4K@60Hz 4:4:4 1080p 3D, 8 in 1 Out 8 PCs Sharing with One Set of Keyboard and Mouse

Works as described.

I was replacing an existing 4x1 KVM with this 8x1 model as I added one more computer for work. Since the KVM product descriptions had similar claims, I expected similar performance to my 4K@60 display.Unfortunately, this product did not work well with at least one of my video sources. The video would blank to black, and then come back, intermittently and randomly, sometimes several times in a second, other times stable for ten or twenty seconds. I tried this video source (an Intel NUC of 2016-ish vintage) on every port, including the ports that were working fine for two PC laptops and a Mac. It didn't matter which port of the KVM I used, the result was always the same, flickering to black. And the other ports all worked for the PCs and Mac, so it wasn't a bad port.I went back to the 4x1 KVM and all switching worked flawlessly. So it wasn't something that failed as I was reconnecting all the cables to the new KVM. In both cases the cable to the NUC was unchanged, and I knew it worked on the 4x1 KVM, so it wasn't the cable at fault.I put the 8x1 output into one of the 4x1 inputs (a clumsy 11x1 KVM) and put the NUC video source into the 4x1, and all video sources were then working. But the whole point of ordering the 8x1 was to avoid chaining KVMs together.The product has some really nice features. All the ports are on the back, which makes for a clean appearance.The ability to control via infrared (IR) was not new, but this product includes a jack and an extender, so that the KVM can be mounted out of sight and only the extender's IR receiver need be visible. That was kind of nice and had me optimistic I might get some clutter of my desk, and was one of the driving features for me to select this vendor/model.The IR remote had a clear plastic tab to pull out, so I expected like most products that was protecting the battery from use during shipping... except there was no battery present or included. Further, a complete review of the product materials and Amazon description fails to identify the battery type. I found a common CR2032 seemed to fit the cavity and allowed the remote to function.It also had support for an RS-232 signaled change (which I didn't use) which is very important for some applications.As other folks have mentioned, the beep noise is VERY VERY LOUD and there seems no obvious way to turn it off. However, the manual does somewhat cryptically describe the procedure, and it worked for me. You have to have a USB keyboard in the USB ports labeled keyboard/mouse. Then you slowly tap the right-hand control key twice, then press the letter B. This turns off the beep until the next time the unit loses power or is reset. There are a number of other KVM features that are controlled by the same means. The manual says "double click" and I was clicking the mouse for the longest time until I realized they meant "double tap" the RH control key, which is a failure of the English translation from the original. It seems there also needs to be the barest pauses there for this to work.However, there are issues. Since the KVM needs to always monitor and intercept keystrokes for its own uses, it can break software that expects the user to use certain keys itself. I find it infuriating to be typing and have certain keystrokes or mouse buttons just disappear. Since I don't want or use mouse/keyboard hotswitching, I put my mouse/keyboard into the other USB ports.The unit reset button is located badly, right next to KVM input 8, and the button is like all the others so it is very easy to press and reset the unit... which resets the beep to VERY VERY LOUD. And then I have to move my keyboard over to the hotswitch ports and turn it off again. Not nice, and means I have to have it on my desk to get to the ports.The unit also includes a full set of KVM cables (something I didn't need since I was already on a 4x1 KVM) but it was a nice inclusion. Since they're all of the 5-6 ft variety, they may not be long enough for some setups. Two of my connections are about 9 ft away, and I've had to purchase separate cables for these.These eight KVM cables probably add both to shipping weight and product cost, so the vendor might want to consider selling the base unit without cables for those users that already have them, or are going to have to purchase their own cables to reach longer than 5-6 feet.The unit is also quite a bit larger than two 4x1 KVMs together; it is substantially deeper and thicker (it is also wider, but that is to be expected since it has more inputs.) I was surprised how much larger it was on the desk. This wasn't a deal-breaker, but if your space is limited look carefully at the dimensions.It included rack ears, which I didn't try to use.Overall, this product has a really compelling set of features, and if I was using it in a datacenter, or an equipment rack, or other use where I had video sources that were all the same devices and types, I would imagine it would work fine.I really wanted this unit to be the solution for me, but ultimately the flickering video drove me to return it to Amazon. I purchased a second 4x1 of the original make and model, and now I have a frankenstein 7x1 KVM that works with all my video sources at 4K@60, and I have to use the front buttons because the IR remote controls both at the same time. Clumsy, but it works.

2024/09/02 UpdateReducing to one star. Now when switching it consistently takes a very long time to sync, or doesn't sync at all and you need to switch back and forth to get an image. This makes it really unusable. I've made a mistake buying second one some time ago, over 30 days so can't return it, but in the future I will avoid this brand.Original review:After spending a year with it, I would not recommend. While it works most of the time there are several annoying quirks that make it a low grade switch, not suitable for professional environment.1. It takes a long time to sync video after switch. Time is also non deterministic, sometimes it's longer sometimes shorter2. Many times it will not sync and requires switch back and forth3. USB switching is flaky, sometimes it will not switch in one of the two peripherals, so your mouse is there but not keyboard, requires another switch back and forth4. USB KVM ports are fixed HID functionality, they will not pass thru your more complex devices, like wireless mouse or so. You end up using two USB 2 ports, which means every time you switch your peripherals get disconnected/reconnected.5. It gets powered thru back feed from your USB host, so even if you turn the power off, any PC that is in standby will power it. This is not a pro or con, just something to be aware of.6. Breakaway analog audio is temperamental, sometimes will work, sometimes will loose sound.7. There are no firmware upgrades, so what you bought will have to last you forever. Make sure it works for you.I made a mistake of buying two before shaking them out. Would not buy again. There are better choices out there.

I originally gave a review with two stars because of the issues I was having with one of my windows laptops and the fact that I did not get any response back from tech support.Well tech support did contact me and helped me resolve the issue with the windows laptop.My guess is that all laptops are not suited to being switched. I was trying to use the 4k resolution which was stuck at 30Hz on this laptop, I had to change to the next lower resolution that would work at 60Hz and the screen blanking went away. This laptop, however, gathers all the open windows back to the main laptop screen when you switch away and back. That is annoying but I am sure it is a function of the laptop, my other windows laptop does not do that.Tech support was very responsive and friendly once I was contacted. I have decided to not return this unit and keep using it.Just to note, I have to macbook pro m1 laptops, two Dell windows 10 laptops, and a mac pro. All of the computer except the one windows laptop work fine and I can get 4k@60Hz on all of them.old 2 star review:I have a windows laptop that I take to work and bring home. If I connect that laptop the screen will blank out about every 30 seconds. Hitting reset does not help. If I unplug every other computer on the kvm the windows laptop will still blank out but only every five minutes. I cannot use the windows laptop if anything else is connected to the KVM which defeats the purpose of a KVM.There are two usb ports where you are supposed to connect your keyboard and mouse to so you can use hot keys to switch computers. This port does not work with the Apple keyboard. I had to plug my Apple keyboard into the USB hub to be able to use it on the KVM and that does not allow hot keys.Basically this KVM is unusable and I will be returning it. I emailed tech support and did not get any response.

It does exactly what I want it it to do: 4K at 60Hz and audio. I tried a few other KVM(s) that failed. There was an Amazon Answers question about keyboard shortcuts for switching etc.: I don't know.