Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L

Reviews - Featured Reviews: Input Devices

Written by David Ramsey - Edited by Olin Coles

Sunday, 11 October 2009

Table of Contents: Page Index
Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L
Features and Specifications
Closer Look: SOHO KVM Switch
Belkin F1DD104L Detailed Features
USB Switching Functionality
Test Results and Conclusion

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Belkin SOHO F1DD104L KVM

Belkin offers a wide variety of KVMs, from inexpensive dual-port VGA-PS/2 switches intended for the home to large, expensive 16-port rack-mount switches for server farms that can handle multiple computers and multiple consoles. Some even have built-in monitors! We're looking at the top of Belkin's home-office KVM switch line, the SOHO F1DD104L. This four-port switch allows you to share a single DVI monitor, USB keyboard and mouse, and microphone and speaker among four computers.

Versions of this switch are available in both VGA-PS/2 and DVI-USB versions, but really, who uses VGA any more? The SOHO F1DD104L is a premium switch with extra features to help justify its rather high price.

It's a common scenario for many of us these days: multiple computers, but no desk space for multiple monitors, keyboards, and mice. You might have a work machine and a play machine; or a home media server you access and control over the network, but it would really be nice if you had a monitor and keyboard sometimes, or maybe you just thought it would be fun to try one of those $200 nettop computers to see if it had any actual application. The solution is a KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) switch, and Benchmark Reviews looks at the Belkin SOHO F1DD104L four-port DVI-USB KVM switch to see how well it would work for you. This is a high-end switch with lots of extra features, so let's get started!

About Belkin International, Inc.

Belkin International, Inc., offers an extensive range of innovations designed to give computer and consumer electronics users seamless integration in their homes, cars, and on the go. Belkin, a privately held company founded in California in 1983, is the recognized global leader in connectivity solutions. Since our inception in 1983, Belkin has experienced an amazing 25 consecutive years of dramatic growth and remains committed to making significant strides in the areas of research and design.

Our diverse and far-reaching product mix includes award-winning innovations for easy-to-use networking solutions, accessories for mobile devices, such as iPod, iPhone^TM, laptops, and netbooks, as well as energy conservation products.

Belkin also provides business-class solutions that include KVM switches, LCD rack consoles, racks and enclosures, in addition to a broad USB and cable product mix. Belkin has developed industry-leading innovations, prized by channel partners and end users alike for their dependability, customer service, and comprehensive warranties.

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Comments

# 4 port kvm switch — srihari b r 2010-06-11 03:28

please indicate whether the SOLO kvm switch supports resolution 1600X1200

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# RE: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L — David Ramsey 2010-06-11 06:55

Yes, it does. If you'll look on the "Features and Specification" page of the review, you'll see the maximum supported resolution is 2560 x 1600.

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# RE: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L — Brian 2010-06-25 23:38

Anyone tried this switch with an XBOX 360 hdmi to dvi cable?

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# RE: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L — David Ramsey 2010-06-26 06:52

Switching an Xbox 360 HDMI to DVI cable will work fine, but remember that this will only switch the video, not the audio...

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# I amplify your awesome. — Torley 2010-09-24 07:58

Odd, I downloaded the manual, and it shows the maximum supported resolution is 1920x1200. Which is confirmed correct as of now? #en-us-support.belkin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/247

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# RE: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L — David Ramsey 2010-09-24 08:14

No, the manual's probably wrong. If you go here:

##belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=404605

...you'll see the maximum resolution for the F1DD104L is still listed as 2560x1600, which is normal for a dual-link DVI connection. This is also the resolution quoted in the PDF spec sheet you can download from the same page. I suspect the manual's specs are a cut-and-paste error from one of the VGA versions of the switch, which do have a limit of 1920x1200.

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# RE: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L — Torley 2010-09-25 09:33

Thanks David for the great followup, almost a year after your review was posted. I'm appreciative for you providing the info and knowing your personal experiences.

#amzn.to/cCoMVW provided a conflicting observation about resolution, but I haven't found any others like that.

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# RE: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L — Gord 2010-11-01 14:00

Careful on this, Website and some manuals say 2560 x 1600, other manuals and Belkin tech support say 1920 x 1200. It doesn't do 2560 x 1600 well, it injects pixels and lines on to the screen. This is on three different units now so I'm almost positive it is the KVM design. Really too bad, nice otherwise and reasonably priced.

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# RE: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L — David Ramsey 2010-11-01 14:39

Hm. Either it's a dual-link DVI switch (capable of 2560x1600) or it isn't; the website specifically says it is, but I don't have a monitor of that resolution to test, and your experience argues otherwise...thanks for the info!

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# RE: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L — Gord 2010-11-01 15:11

Dell was clearing out 3007WFP-HC monitors so I treated myself. Monitor works directly connected great, all four inputs with various video cards (Nvidia & ATI) produce the same issues. Three KVM's and cables replaced each time, followed instructions to a T. The very first printed manual had 1920 x 1200 in it, the last two 2560 x 1600. Website and product sheet say 2560 x 1600. Online manual which Belkin tech support directed me to today says 1920 x 1200 and it was a hard sell to get her to belive the other documents/websites. Original 2 units came from Dell, other one directly from Belkin last week (Oct 2010). All i can reall say is the speckels appear randomly on the screen with dark colors and the lines are dark and flicker on white screens. It took Belkin just over 6 weesk to get me the "express" RMA. Used direct connection for that time and it worked great on two PC's. If anybody has ideas or sees fault in my logic, I'm all ears at this pont.

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# RE: RE: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L — David Ramsey 2010-11-01 16:48

Gord, if it wasn't a dual-link unit, you wouldn't get any video at all, not poor video. I very occasionally see green speckles on my Dell 27" (1920x1200) display. I suspect we're seeing a deficiency in the video circuitry in the switch.

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# RE: RE: RE: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L — Gord 2010-11-01 17:31

I think you hit the nail on the head, it does work in dual link just not well. The specks/lines are more than just a few and someting needs to addressed buy Belkin. The thing that really bothers me is that they first threw the manual at me saying that 1920x1200 was as high as it goes, anything higher isn't supported. I understand a misprint but that was their answer to my problem. They are working wth me but if it is bad construction then it something to consider in buying. I guess knowing what I know now, I would have a hard time buying another one of these units is all.

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# RE: RE: RE: RE: Belkin SOHO 4-Port DVI/USB KVM Switch F1DD104L — Gord 2010-12-06 09:30

Just to update everybody on this I did go through three units in the end. All three did show the same problem at the higher resolution (2560 x1600 @60hz). Belkin finally did admit to bug and gave me a refund for the last unit I purchased. I eventually purchased a ATEN CS1784 and so far have been very happy with it. The only other comment is be firm with service rep, every time I contacted them we would go through a checklist of solutions. The same person helped me on three different occasions and each time told me 1920 x 1200 is the max and problems on higher resolution were my fault. Belkin also has very slow response times (3 to 4 days) from their technical support and level 2 was a tad shorter(3 days). Once I started to deal with a fellow in their California office, super helpful, quick replies, and offered constructive suggestions.

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# Prop — Chester Tacka 2010-12-06 04:58

With a keyboard installed on a hub port are there any switching issues?? I have a Logitech G110 (not for gaming....)

THANKS!

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# RE: Prop — David Ramsey 2010-12-06 08:14

You mean on one of the ports that are switched when you select different computers? No, that works fine.

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# RE: RE: Prop — Chester Tacka 2010-12-06 17:27

I am now clear that there is a difference between a USB port and a keyboard or mouse "USB-shaped" interface.... [I do share someone's confusion that the "U" that means universal doesn't mean "universal"...

I know that the G110 won't "switch" if it's plugged into the USB-shaped KB interface. I think, now, that a switch must be software-independent, so that the KB can do all that it can w/the prop. software on each PC....

Disappointment: Both products have been out so long, and there isn't absolute clarity by either/any manufacturer.

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# RE: RE: RE: Prop — David Ramsey 2010-12-06 17:34

Not sure what you mean here. There are several different USB connectors, but all are electrically the same (four conductors for USB 1 and 2; more for USB 3.0). On the Belkin switch, the difference is that the designated connectors for your mouse and keyboard are connected to internal circuitry that emulates a mouse and keyboard so your computer doesn't know when you've switched; the other two ports are "switched" ports. You'll use these if you have a fancy mouse or keyboard with extra features that the emulation would "hide".

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# RE: Prop — Gord 2010-12-06 08:52

No, It will work fine on those USB ports. If you don't use the "keyboard/mouse" ports, there is no emulation mode. This simply means that your computer will initialize the device every time you switch (like you physically plugged in the USB each time. This isn't bad but will take a extra second while the PC "finds the new device". I have the G110 and everything works well in the keyboard port including volume/audio controls (I haven't tested the programmable keys though).

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# Dual-Link DVI issues — Mike P 2011-05-17 20:00

David, have you gotten to the bottom of these Dual-Link issues? Belkin's website still says 2560x1600@60Hz but I'm reading conflicting statements all over the place about this switch. I want to buy this for a 120Hz monitor but I need to make sure its capable first. Have you personally tested resolutions like 2560x1600@60Hz or 1920x1200@120HZ to test the switch's Dual-Link capabilities?

Thanks

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# RE: Dual-Link DVI issues — David Ramsey 2011-05-17 20:04

Mike, I have a 1920x1200 monitor, and the switch works great with it. The only 120Hz monitor I have available is 1680x1050.

I can't provide any more information since I don't have access to the monitors that would fully test the switch's purported capabilities. You could always get the switch and simply return it if it doesn't work.

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# RE: RE: Dual-Link DVI issues — Mike P 2011-05-17 20:07

OK thanks, i'm starting to think Belkin did a bait and switch here

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# IT Consultant — David 2012-03-06 23:45

In response to your comment about "why would you want to switch the audio independently of the Video & keyboard?".
1. If you are talking to someone on-line via a headset (ie: Skype) but need to refer to your other Computers.
2. If you are attending a webcast / web meeting & the video is less important (ie: people asking questions), you could swap & check your emails.
3. Some people listen to music from a client machine then switch to a Server or Dev/Test system to do real work.
Hope this helps

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# Dual-Link DVI — A guy 2012-05-27 15:50

This unit assuming non-defective works fine with dual-link monitors. I had an older 3007wfp that it worked fine with. That eventually went bad and needed to be replaced. The newer one they sent out 3008 I think or whatever went through a couple before getting one that worked right. The ones that didn't play nice with the KVM also had fluctuation problems in image plugged in direct. The biggest issue I've been having with mine lately is that is likes to go into input hopping mode if all machines aren't on at once.

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