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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

#51

Post by BoysenberryPi »

GordonS wrote: post #46
_1qd4 wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

This is my experience as well. I currently use a USB switch that I got off of Amazon for about 15 bucks. It typically "just works." Press the button, wait 2 seconds and my input devices have switched.

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

#52

Post by mtlynch »

pdevine wrote: post #7
mtlynch wrote: post #2

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

Dude, thanks so much for this. I have a loud machine I’m using for ML stuff and I’ve been reluctant to move it to the basement as I didn’t want to have to run downstairs with a monitor for the odd issue. I also looked at KVMs and was annoyed at the prices. I have a R Pi sitting here I was looking to do a project with. This is perfect!

Oh, that's great! So glad it was helpful!

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

#53

Post by mtlynch »

simlevesque wrote: post #11
mtlynch wrote: post #2

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

How would you remotely connect to something like this ? using something like ngrok ?

Yeah, I haven't looked into that much because everything is on my local network. ngrok looks like it would work. One of my users is looking into remote.it, which seems like a similar service.

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

#54

Post by btgeekboy »

_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 have an old Belkin USB 2.0 switch from god-knows when that works beautifully. I use it to share a hub with a keyboard and mouse attached. I’ve given up trying to find a 4K60 x2 DisplayPort KVM that doesn’t suck.

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

#56

Post by Haemm0r »

x87678r wrote: post #23

This looks awesome. I was looking for a solution like this last year. I budgeted a few hundred bucks but couldn't find anything. Ideally would have a way to handle a few different boxes. I did see something called Intel AMT, part of Intel vPro. https://www.howtogeek.com/56538/how-to-remotely-control-your... Does anyone have experience with this? (I have AMD box so doesn't help me) - actually looks like AMD has simila…

It works, however you need a non-free special client called VNC Viewer Plus [1]. Afaik it is Windows only. You can enable regular VNC protocol capabilities for AMT[2], but then you can't use the interesting stuff anymore.

[1] https://www.realvnc.com/en/products/viewerplus/ [2] https://blog.michael.kuron-germany.de/2011/10/using-intel-am...

//edit: link [2] added.

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

#57

Post by mtlynch »

ed25519FUUU wrote: post #48

Really neat project. Small optimization, you can use the RPI’s gpu accelerated h264 decoding and free up a lot of CPU: Change: ffmpeg -vcodec libxh264 To: ffmpeg -vcodec h264_mmal

Thanks, good tip! I ended up not using ffmpeg after I discovered uStreamer, but this is a good trick to have in my back pocket.

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

#59

Post by TacticalTable »

BoysenberryPi wrote: post #51
GordonS wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

This is my experience as well. I currently use a USB switch that I got off of Amazon for about 15 bucks. It typically "just works." Press the button, wait 2 seconds and my input devices have switched.

Care to share it? The one I have will work for a few switches, then both Windows/Mac will eventually stop recognizing the port its connected to until a reboot.
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