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Show HN: TinyPilot – Build a KVM over IP using a Raspberry Pi

mtlynch.io

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Re: Show HN: TinyPilot – Build a KVM over IP using a Raspberry Pi

#41

Post by lukevp »

C1sc0cat wrote: post #35

Oh nice I will have to look into this as I was considering Using a dual pc set up for streaming and this would be great for controlling the second pc (mac mini) I want to have main pc for running ROLLd20 and a daw - then use a mac mini to run the processed audio from my DAW into hangouts. This is so I can properly play in audio and , music cues as well as altering my voice to suit the character eg a galdos style for…

You could probably do this with the loopback features of a podcast style interface and not need a second computer. The one I use is the MOTU M4, the M2 is a little cheaper.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IKjKymjc_R8

Re: Show HN: TinyPilot – Build a KVM over IP using a Raspberry Pi

#42

Post by _1qd4 »

dukoid wrote: post #37

I have given up on KVMs altogether and I am using the following approach now: - Most monitors have multiple digital inputs. Connect each computer to one of them - Use a USB switch keyboard and mouse - Before switching the USB switch, press the "lock screen" key combination and make sure locking the screen drops the video signal - After switching the USB switch, pressing shift should bring up the login dialog and re-a…

I did this for a while, the problem is that there's really no such thing as a high-quality USB switch. They are all garbage and mess with USB devices in some way (at least at the consumer level).

Re: Show HN: TinyPilot – Build a KVM over IP using a Raspberry Pi

#43

Post by diabeetusman »

EvanAnderson wrote: post #33

This looks great. To be useful in the datacenter environments I work in such a device would need VGA capture, though. Most servers don't have HDMI ports in my experience. Anybody know of a good, cheap V4L2 USB-based VGA capture dongle?

Could always add another dongle with something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BKYBKGP maybe?

Re: Show HN: TinyPilot – Build a KVM over IP using a Raspberry Pi

#44

Post by fanatic2pope »

wojciii wrote: post #17
mtlynch wrote: post #2

Author here. Happy to answer any questions or take any feedback about this post.

Cool project, but what about power management? What happens if the PC being controlled crashes and does not let you reboot it using keyboard shortcut? I'm might be damaged by testing and working with embedded development.

Plug it into a smart outlet running tasmota.

Re: Show HN: TinyPilot – Build a KVM over IP using a Raspberry Pi

#45

Post by mtlynch »

wojciii wrote: post #17
mtlynch wrote: post #2

Author here. Happy to answer any questions or take any feedback about this post.

Cool project, but what about power management? What happens if the PC being controlled crashes and does not let you reboot it using keyboard shortcut? I'm might be damaged by testing and working with embedded development.

Thanks for reading!

>Cool project, but what about power management? What happens if the PC being controlled crashes and does not let you reboot it using keyboard shortcut?

Yeah, that's one of the limitations. TinyPilot can't control power for the target computer.

I don't know of any way to manage power without connecting the Pi to the target machine's motherboard, but that increases complexity significantly. I'm using this for a homelab, so it's easy for me to walk over and cycle power if that ever comes up, but for this to support more remote scenarios, I'd need to address this.

Re: Show HN: TinyPilot – Build a KVM over IP using a Raspberry Pi

#46

Post by GordonS »

_1qd4 wrote: post #42
dukoid wrote: post #37

I have given up on KVMs altogether and I am using the following approach now: - Most monitors have multiple digital inputs. Connect each computer to one of them - Use a USB switch keyboard and mouse - Before switching the USB switch, press the "lock screen" key combination and make sure locking the screen drops the video signal - After switching the USB switch, pressing shift should bring up the login dialog and re-a…

I did this for a while, the problem is that there's really no such thing as a high-quality USB switch. They are all garbage and mess with USB devices in some way (at least at the consumer level).

I switched from a KVM to a USB switch a few years back, and haven't had any real issues with it. I don't think it was expensive either, just a standard USB 3 switch with only 2 ports. Occasionally it takes more than a few seconds after pressing the button for the switch to happen, but that's about it.

Re: Show HN: TinyPilot – Build a KVM over IP using a Raspberry Pi

#47

Post by mtlynch »

vidanay wrote: post #25
detaro wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

not sure why you talk about "switch"? The word never appears in the article? And at such a no-brainer price (especially if you already have a Pi), kind of worth it just to avoid the hassle of moving a screen around.

https://mtlynch.io/tinypilot/raritan-kvm.png

I think the confusion is that the original comment was worded as if I called TinyPilot a switch, but I think you're actually saying you think it's strange that Raritan calls their device a switch, despite the fact that it's only 1-port.

Re: Show HN: TinyPilot – Build a KVM over IP using a Raspberry Pi

#50

Post by mtlynch »

C1sc0cat wrote: post #35

Oh nice I will have to look into this as I was considering Using a dual pc set up for streaming and this would be great for controlling the second pc (mac mini) I want to have main pc for running ROLLd20 and a daw - then use a mac mini to run the processed audio from my DAW into hangouts. This is so I can properly play in audio and , music cues as well as altering my voice to suit the character eg a galdos style for…

Thanks for reading!

I'm not an audio guy, so I can't comment on how well it would suit that scenario, but it sounds like a neat pipeline, and I'd love to hear about it if you end up building it.

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