Vetra Keyboard Multi-plexer

[Ellay]

The Vetra Keyboard Multi-plexer broadcasts keystrokes to up to 4 PC's and cascading it up to 16. It has the same functionality as its Wireless Keyboard counterpart in which any button you press will be sent to all PC's connected simultaneously.

http://vetra.com/844text.html

http://vetra.com/844frt.jpg

http://vetra.com/844back.jpg

Using PS/2 connections, input is the fastest and preferred method of connectivity thanks to direct BIOS integration.. Although it is a bit pricey compared to other options you definitely get what you pay for.

Learning Curve - Easy - Medium

Post Reviews, Suggestions, and Comments below.

There is now an 8 port version available at a discount per port.

[Qcybershop]

This is the piece that i would recommended to anyone that want to do multibox. work very well and no worry about 3rd party tools problem :)

[Xzin]

The pic on their website (here on the messageboard too) is old. The newer versions have front LEDs that let you know when you have a system plugged in. It's the same price (still more than I think it should cost) and gives a green LED visual feedback.

[infiniteammo]

just got off the phone with the kind folks at vetra, they're building me an 8-port version of the VIP-844-BC for $339. beats buying two if you're lookin to five box! hollerrrr :D :D :D

[Xzin]

just got off the phone with the kind folks at vetra, they're building me an 8-port version of the VIP-844-BC for $339. beats buying two if you're lookin to five box! hollerrrr :D :D :D

Yeah - they do just about any custom work you want. Takes less than 2 weeks for them to produce and it's pretty reasonable in price.

They even will do super custom work if you really want and are willing to pay for it.

Are they making them all cast on the same port or do they pass through as if they were just 2 chained together internally? There is a very small amount of latency from chaining two together - measured in the tens of milliseconds. Two are not really noticeable (you need 50+ ms to notice it) but three or more might be a problem due to the rather low refresh rate of the PS/2 kb protocol. I will be able to test it soon, I purchased five more units to enable multicasting to the Zins and the new Warlocks and/or both (all 10) at the same time.

[Buruan]

Is there any good PS/2 Keyboards on the market that you can recommend for the "Master"?

[Xzin]

I personally use X-keys and Happy Hacking Lites.

[Buruan]

I have 2 notebooks that are prefectly capable of running WoW.
However they do not have PS/2 connectors.

Are there a PS/2 to USB adapters somewhere?

[Xzin]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10404&style=

[Los]

Hmm that vetra is very nice, i keep on looking for something thats cheaper and is able to use usb. But its somewhat of an impossibility i guess ;(

[Xzin]

I have searched long and hard and have found no "off the shelf" solution to hardware keyboard multicasting EXCEPT setting a host of wireless keyboards to use the same frequency. That should work but is something I have only tested with mice (which works, assuming you use the same brand, etc).

I guess though if you can afford 5 computers then you can afford $400 more for the 2 Vetras.

[Treesong]

Can this box multiply only keyboard commands or would it be able to multiply input from any USB device, with the use of USB --> PS2 adapters?

This would mean that the 4 ports of the box would be connected to an USB port of the computers, not the PS2 keyboard port. This would allow me to use other controllers other then keyboard-replacements.


This is probably a dumb question so be gentle. :)

[Xzin]

If you are only adding PS/2 ports via USB then yes, it should work.

But not sure that what you want to do will work.

[sway]

Hello there,
i checked now several hardware dealer in Germany, but looks there is no possibility to buy a vetra here. :(
Has anyone from europe bought a vetra and has some experience about the shipment and the extra costs?
Is there any problem with the power line?
Any compatibility problems?

[Flauwy]

Hi sway,

I researched for a while, and I can approve that there is no dealer in Germany or even in Europe for the Vetra. What you can do is contact the international represantatives in Europe:



In France,

Gentec
13 Rue de Tocqueville
75017 Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 47 54 9006 Fax: +33 1 47 63 9120

Website: http://www.gentec.fr
e-mail: sales@gentec.fr

In Denmark

MicroTechnic A/S
Smedevanget 5
5560 Aarup, Denmark
Tel: +45 66 15 30 00 Fax: +45 66 15 30 77
Website:http://www.micro-technic.com
e-mail sales@micro-technic.com

I haven't tried that myself yet, but since I'm very keen on getting a X-Key Professional, I urgently need a Vetra myself.

Does anybody know, if Vetra is the only company who sells a Multi-Plexer? I could't find any comparable product. The only thing what comes close, is the common KVM-Switch, but that is just an optional addition. For the beginning I prefere to use Synergy, since I just started Tripple-Boxing.

[Ztar]

I fired off an email to the danish contact this summer, but didn't get an answer.

Im currently happy using synergy, so i haven't tryied email them again....

If you do find a contact that can sell Vectra to Europe, add a post about it will you...

//Z

[Steph]

When I started out I checked with the Danish Vetra dealer. They quoted me a price of almost 800 euro for two 4-port multiplexers in the day. These were sold by Vetra at $199 each, which equals 287 Euro. Somehow I didnt want to pay a 200% markup!

I think ordering it from Vetra via CC to the adress of a friend living in the US and then receiving it as a 'gift' is a much cheaper option.

[Flauwy]

800€? This is madness.

In that case I should wait for a Windows Vista Hotfix for Synergy or make it the same way Ztar suggested. *in Ellays direction smile* :twisted:

But first of all I need my third PC before thinking about a Vetra. :wink:

[Slats]

I paid $298 USD for shipping to Australia. I port the 8 Port KM and the 8 Port Multiplexer - ending up costing about $1150 AUD.

Was bloody worth it though, these devices are very very good quality. Also for my crazy shipping charges I got my goods in 3 days. So in the end I didn't really care.

[Tiuz]

Not really adding anything of substance here..just a shameless plug for Vetra in general. I mis-ordered a 2 port KM and didn't catch it. I got a call today from them expressing some concern as they had guessed I was a gamer (we must be passing them a good amount of business) and wanted to verify I only wanted 2 port KM and not the 8 port or perhaps 2 4 port switches. I was rather blown away. I have misordered items in the past and had to deal with hassling the company to let me return and pay differences for new parts. Even when I hadn't even opened the box. So it was VERY nice to know that they paid such good attention to each of their orders. So I would highly recommend them not just from a hardware perspective but from an attention to customer support view as well.
</plug>

[Slats]

Yeah their products are fantastic.

-Dan

[MistrOrnge]

Anyone have issues with a XP pro computer not being able to send keystrokes with a Vetra connected? The keyboard works and I have it set up properly but for some reason this one computer won't take commands with the Vetra set up. Very strange. Seems like a fairly simple setup to not take a command.

[Xzin]

Digikey.com + 2 seconds of soldering.

[voodoogriff]

Is the 4port multiplexer the smallest version around?

I've only got 2 computers that I want to box with and I'm trying to find a relatively cheap way of broadcasting a single set to both boxes >.<

[Wilbur]

Use Keyclone if you only need to broadcast keys to two Computers.

[sway]

Any Update or News?
Someone from Germany or Europe get a Vetra?
Some actual prices or experiences where to buy?

[keyclone]

800 euro?!

i seriously need to raise my price

[marvein]

800 euro?!

i seriously need to raise my price

Lol everyone Ive refered to your program I keep saying that lol, "better buy it now before he raises his price, he doesnt charge anywhere near what he should" >.>

[Darm]

Does the Vetra have, for lack of a better term, a "PAUSE" button on it? Some way to stop broadcasting to all PCs?

Situation I'm imagining is something like I'm happily multiboxing away using a Vetra for keyboard input, and but then I start chatting with a friend in game. Naturally, I don't want those keystrokes to be broadcasts multiple times over. What's the solution to that? (Keyclone solution obviously is the "pause" key -- I'm asking if the Vetra has an analogous hardware function).

[Wilbur]

You use it in conjunction with a KVM switch.

[Slats]

Yup I use an 8 port Vetra KM switch. 6 outputs.

Output 1: Vetra Broadcaster (8port)

Output 2: PC 1

Output 3: PC2



etc etc



So I can either broadcast to all, or use one pc at a time.



-Dan

[Darm]

Great, thank you very much for the help.

[Dinkydau]

You use it in conjunction with a KVM switch.I just ordered my four port multiplexer... of course I didn't see the post about getting the model to change from broadcasting all ports or single until now. :( I should get it in today or tomorrow, but what is the configuration setup using a KVM to to only broadcast to a single window? It makes sense, but I just can't picture the setup.

Johnny

[Zzyzxx71]

I've been on the hardware side of the consulting business in excess of 15 years, I'm fairly positive I can find a KVM (that has a broadcast mode of course) manufactured by one of the big names that would open the doors for people to purchase them on the second hand market (ebay, etc) for substantially less than what a Vetra goes for - hell I think I have one sitting in a closet at home. I'll check tonight.

[HPAVC]

Does the Vetra have, for lack of a better term, a "PAUSE" button on it? Some way to stop broadcasting to all PCs?

Situation I'm imagining is something like I'm happily multiboxing away using a Vetra for keyboard input, and but then I start chatting with a friend in game. Naturally, I don't want those keystrokes to be broadcasts multiple times over. What's the solution to that? (Keyclone solution obviously is the "pause" key -- I'm asking if the Vetra has an analogous hardware function).You perform this 'abort' on the key event or mouse event generator side not the multiplexer.

So if you queue up '3 shadow bolts, life tap, 3 shadow bolts, life tap" or whatever to one key press and then on the first shadow bolt you realize the mob is immune and what not abort. The xkeys needs a 'flush/abort' not the multiplexer. xkey-pro will do this if you code your macro right and is much easier with the usb version.

[HPAVC]

I've been on the hardware side of the consulting business in excess of 15 years, I'm fairly positive I can find a KVM (that has a broadcast mode of course) manufactured by one of the big names that would open the doors for people to purchase them on the second hand market (ebay, etc) for substantially less than what a Vetra goes for - hell I think I have one sitting in a closet at home. I'll check tonight.Hard to argue with this price, nothing Raritan has is this cheap. Especially when they will make spec devices for you if you want.

Their smartpipe protocol converter is what i use in addition to xkey-pro, so i can progmatically generate keys events and i have spent a good length of time on the phone and email with these guys. Often then email and a few times call me with improvements to your conversation on how to achieve results (for things like round robin fears x4 macros with key state checking). Unlikely to get Raritan to aid you for the money

[Herc130]

I was looking into getting a 4 port ps/2 vetra broadcaster. I planned to also get a PS/2 20 key X-Keys to use with the broadcaster. The computers I would be hooking it into also all have usb X-key pro's on them. Would this work? Can a computer have a USB x-keys hooked up as well as a ps/2 x-keys?

I see the usb x-keys need macro-works and the new version list "improved use of multiple x-keys" as one of the improvements. Also, I see the ps/2 x-keys do not need a program to run it, so would assume there should be zero conflict having a usb x-keys and a ps/2 x-keys (being broadcasted) hooked up to a computer. But this is a $409 buy and I want second opinions lol