Low lag USB splitters?

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08-18-2011, 02:25 PM
sabersmith

Low lag USB splitters?

Hi, I'm new to DB and I plan on running 2 accounts in the upcoming MMO Star Wars The Old Republic

. I will be using 2 physical computers connected to 2 different monitors. What is the best way to go about this?

My mouse & KB are both USB, I would prefer to use just one KB/Mouse as desk space is limited in my computer room. I have read that some multiplexers can cause lag (i HATE lag). and the KVM switches ive seen are only for the old ports.

Can anyone recommend a good USB cloner w/ low lag? or am I going about this the wrong way?

p.s. I'm not sure if it matters but i plan on running 2 of the same class when i DB. Haven't decided on one yet, will probably start sith warrior - juggernaut so i don't have to worry about dying so much. But, I would like to switch over to commando at some time, so I'm not sure how well targeting would work.
08-18-2011, 03:53 PM
Sajuuk

Have you considered using a software solution such as ISboxer?
08-18-2011, 04:34 PM
sabersmith

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajuuk

Have you considered using a software solution such as ISboxer?

how would that work with 2 different computers?
08-18-2011, 05:38 PM
MiRai

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabersmith

how would that work with 2 different computers?

Magic.

I'm sure Lax could tell you all the technical details about the inner workings of Inner Space but... almost all
multiboxing software works between multiple computers.
08-18-2011, 10:50 PM
sabersmith

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenril

Magic.

I'm sure Lax could tell you all the technical details about the inner workings of Inner Space but... almost all
multiboxing software works between multiple computers.

hmm. does it send the key commands over tcp/ip through the local router or something?

My computers only have one ethernet port each so they cant directly connect via a crossover cable.

I wonder how much lag that involves, hmm.

I'd also like it to be able to scale. I will be starting with 2 accounts, but if i don't find it too difficult and see the need for it i might go to three or 4.

The reason for the separate computers is i'm kinda a graphics wh*re and I need to run the game maxed. Though it only really needs to be maxed on my main since I will spend most of my time looking at one screen anyway. 27" 1080p 1ms main screen w/ 19" 1280x1024 on second box.

main will be a bulldozer 8 core and 6950. and second will be a core 2 duo w/ a gtx 460.
08-19-2011, 08:55 AM
Apps

Running seperate computers isnt an issue.

Just as Fenril and Sajuuk pointed out. ISBoxer can handle multiple computers. You control (play) on one. Use multiple computers, or one single computer... your choice.

Perhaps its worth the Free trial version time of ISBoxer to test it for yourself and determine if you are ok with the amt of lag. Nothing in wow is 1:1. graphics and server lag will most likely be what you see.

USB Cloning is not a good choice for just 2 accounts... its doable... just not the best option in my opinion.
08-19-2011, 11:21 AM
sabersmith

So after some research it looks like USB can't be split. The only solution would be to go wireless and have all computers have the receivers set to the same channel.

I don't exactly relish the idea of changing keyboard & mouse though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apps

Running seperate computers isnt an issue.

Just as Fenril and Sajuuk pointed out. ISBoxer can handle multiple computers. You control (play) on one. Use multiple computers, or one single computer... your choice.

Perhaps its worth the Free trial version time of ISBoxer to test it for yourself and determine if you are ok with the amt of lag. Nothing in wow is 1:1. graphics and server lag will most likely be what you see.

USB Cloning is not a good choice for just 2 accounts... its doable... just not the best option in my opinion.

I'm planning ahead for when Star Wars: The Old Republic comes out. I missed the WoW boat & it's a little too late for me to hop aboard. Will ISBoxer work w/ SWTOR?

I'm slightly concerned about the software option because BioWare has said they aren't providing an API for the game, or at least at the start of the game.
08-19-2011, 11:37 AM
Sajuuk

I would count on ISBoxer working with SWTOR. Lax is an awesome guy and will get support in as soon as he can.

At least I hope he will. :p
08-19-2011, 02:19 PM
ElectronDF

Did you think Vetra items (USB broadcasters) would work? They aren't cheap, but don't need any software.
5 port 1 device http://www.vetra.com/845Utext.html
5 port 2 device http://www.vetra.com/845Ukmtext.html

I would probably try to box SWTOR also. Mostly depends on /follow and /assist. Also, there will be NO, NO auto attack, every attack has to be done manually. Not sure if you can target a mob or if you just click into space like Diablo. But I will probably just use a seperate mouse's 4th and 5th thumb buttons to do a macro (if they will even exist) for /follow and /assist.
08-19-2011, 05:03 PM
Ughmahedhurtz
Some caveats to consider:
- You will not be able to use multiboxing software (due to transmission lag) unless the units are all connected to the same router/hub. (For the nit-pickers, yes I know there are some caveats to this caveat but the basic idea still stands. GTFO.)
- Hardware options are expensive and reliable (Vetra, etc.) or cheap and may not work great (wireless keyboards/mice) depending on conditions at your desk and distance between the two PCs/keyboards/etc.
- Software multiboxing apps like ISBoxer/HKN/etc. do not allow "KVM" style control of your second PC, with the exception of Mojo and Octopus as far as I know. You will need something like Input Director (the best option) or Synergy (has issues with mouselook) or Multiplicity (has issues with mouse capture preventing broadcast from the second PC back to the first PC in FTL setups) if you want to be able to mouse over to the second PC and control it.
Tell us what your budget is and your current home network setup and we can help with details.
08-29-2011, 04:36 PM
sabersmith
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ughmahedhurtz

Some caveats to consider:

You will not be able to use multiboxing software (due to transmission lag) unless the units are all connected to the same router/hub. (For the nit-pickers, yes I know there are some caveats to this caveat but the basic idea still stands. GTFO.)
Hardware options are expensive and reliable (Vetra, etc.) or cheap and may not work great (wireless keyboards/mice) depending on conditions at your desk and distance between the two PCs/keyboards/etc.
Software multiboxing apps like ISBoxer/HKN/etc. do not allow "KVM" style control of your second PC, with the exception of Mojo and Octopus as far as I know. You will need something like Input Director (the best option) or Synergy (has issues with mouselook) or Multiplicity (has issues with mouse capture preventing broadcast from the second PC back to the first PC in FTL setups) if you want to be able to mouse over to the second PC and control it.

Tell us what your budget is and your current home network setup and we can help with details.
Well I don't plan to use a KVM switch. I'm just going to use two keyboards; one main and another mini if i need to use the other computer.

Both computers are towers and they'll be in the same room attached to the same router. the router is actually behind another router, but that shouldn't be a problem should it? the router is fully configurable.

The monitors are different sizes, aspect ratios & resolutions. one is 27" 1080p (1920x1080) the other is 19" 1280x1024. That might make hardware cloning a bit of an issue since moving the mouse on one will not result in the same result on the other. e.g. targeting a creature. will software do this better? What are the tricks people use, or am I just better off buying another 1080p screen?

If software works better I'll go that route. I can see it having less lag sending commands over ethernet. i also like the ability to customize which commands it sends on which key-presses. a little more control than simply cloning keystrokes. However, the game will probably have a macro system that will let me do the same thing with cloned keystrokes so I'm not sure how valuable it will be. Will have to wait and see.

my budget really depends on what i'm getting. i kinda judge how much i'm willing to spend by how good the product i'm buying is. I see the ISBoxer software is free but requires $36 a year Inner Space software, which is fine. If it works well $36 a year I'm ok w/.

If a hardware solution is going to cost 100s of $ I would really have to evaluate how much more usable it is & how much easier it would make playing multiple toons for me.

I plan on starting w/ DB but i could end up 3 or 4 boxing depending on how easy it is and how much i like the game.

edit: not sure if it matters or not but both PCs will be running win 7 pro 32 bit

p.s. sorry for the late reply
08-29-2011, 07:33 PM
Ughmahedhurtz

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabersmith

Well I don't plan to use a KVM switch. I'm just going to use two keyboards; one main and another mini if i need to use the other computer.

That will work. Setting up Input Director is pretty darn simple, and once you do that, it makes the second PC almost like another monitor on your main in that you can just move the mouse over to it and control everything with the same keyboard/mouse (no moving hands while in the middle of combat, etc.).

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabersmith

Both computers are towers and they'll be in the same room attached to the same router. the router is actually behind another router, but that shouldn't be a problem should it? the router is fully configurable.

Yep, that'll work fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabersmith

The monitors are different sizes, aspect ratios & resolutions. one is 27" 1080p (1920x1080) the other is 19" 1280x1024. That might make hardware cloning a bit of an issue since moving the mouse on one will not result in the same result on the other. e.g. targeting a creature. will software do this better? What are the tricks people use, or am I just better off buying another 1080p screen?

Monitor size won't matter. Mouse click broadcasting is dependent on the resolution you run the game, not the monitor. Some do this better than others. If you want more info on the differences, let me know and I'll explain a bit further. Suffice it to say the monitor/PC hardware won't matter for this feature. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabersmith

If software works better I'll go that route. I can see it having less lag sending commands over ethernet. i also like the ability to customize which commands it sends on which key-presses. a little more control than simply cloning keystrokes. However, the game will probably have a macro system that will let me do the same thing with cloned keystrokes so I'm not sure how valuable it will be. Will have to wait and see.

The nice thing about the KM software is being able to use the same keyboard/mouse, not having to move your hands around, etc. It definitely isn't needed if you have a second keyboard, so it just depends on your setup. You can always add it later on for free if you decide using a separate keyboard/mouse isn't as nice as you thought it would be.
08-31-2011, 05:56 PM
sabersmith

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ughmahedhurtz

That will work. Setting up Input Director is pretty darn simple, and once you do that, it makes the second PC almost like another monitor on your main in that you can just move the mouse over to it and control everything with the same keyboard/mouse (no moving hands while in the middle of combat, etc.).

Yep, that'll work fine.

Monitor size won't matter. Mouse click broadcasting is dependent on the resolution you run the game, not the monitor. Some do this better than others. If you want more info on the differences, let me know and I'll explain a bit further. Suffice it to say the monitor/PC hardware won't matter for this feature. ;)

The nice thing about the KM software is being able to use the same keyboard/mouse, not having to move your hands around, etc. It definitely isn't needed if you have a second keyboard, so it just depends on your setup. You can always add it later on for free if you decide using a separate keyboard/mouse isn't as nice as you thought it would be.

Well I didn't actually plan to control the other toons with the second KB/Mouse. Just use it for logging in or if i want to do something separately on the other computer/monitor.

I'm hoping I can get something set up where while I'm fighting mobs in the game when i tell Toon A to attack this guy it will auto tell Toon B to do the same attack on the same mob. Or at least hit the same key. I plan on running the same class at first (Sith Juggernaut) but eventually I might try two diff classes at once and just choose powers with similar cooldowns that complement eachother to activate simultaneously.

Another thing i was wondering is if any of the software can incur a deliberate lag on certain attacks, or if you could set up some keys to only send the command to one toon and not the other. For example, I would not want to activate a taunt on both of the tanks at the same time as it would be pointless. However if i could choose which one, I could use it to pull aggro off the other one if health gets low (& vice-versa).