Vetra now has a USB multiplier. $299 - 4 Ports

[Xzin]

This one is only 4 ports. Can you daisy chain them together and if not... any chance of an 8 port or 10 port one?

[hapiguy314]

Mother Fa;lskfja;ldkjfa;dlkfjas;dlk - I'm beginning to hate 'em First the 8 port came out shortly after I bought the 4 port ... now a USB capable one is out!

Doh. Well if it makes you feel better I just got the 8 port one. BTW have you figured anything out with those monitors, on the heat issue? I saw the picture again today and I think I bought the same ones you got lol.

Just got back from DC. But ultimately, I'll be going to Costco later in the week and just buy one of those $400 portable ACs (and stick the 2 tubes in the window). The heat is more from several of my 8800GTXs now more than my monitors. They still feel like sunbathing at the beach, but not as bad as my feet roasting on a grill

[inire]

Welcome back hapiguy, hope you enjoyed your trip.

Spoke with George today at Vetra, and was told that they're working on USB stuff for another project, and that they expect a delay due to this (USB Multiplexing is a side thing for them, they get paid much more for the other work).

So, shucks.... I was all excited, and now nothin.

But they did receive the G15 and the N52, and the preliminary statement was that the G15 was not going to work for the screen.

I said that if they get the N52 or the G keys working I would be a happy camper!

[hapiguy314]

Just bought another computer to replace one of my old machines (couldn't stand the lag anymore hehe). Hmm I need to buy another 4 port multiplier since i'm out of ports...I guess i'll have to buy another 844-BC since the USB is unknown as far as ETA.

PS
Trip was good inire Was a hike from capitol hill all the way to lincoln memorial and then back to washington memorial (for subway) but it was great :lol:

[Borogove]

You can indeed chain them together. I asked directly.

He mentioned that it was still at least 2-3 weeks off (as of 14 Aug).

[Jezebel]

Cool - but heh. Now all I need is a way to connect a USB keyboard to a PS/2 port... because I really don't want to buy a whole ton of new USB multiplexers.

you can buy small USB>PS2 (and vice-versa) adapters for like AU$5. its simply a small plastic adapter, your USB device plugs in one end and it has a PS2 adapter in the output end.

[Slats]

Ooo from AU =)

Is anyone from AU using the Vetra KM and the 8 Port Multiplexer? If so roughly how long did it take to get to you and how much did it all end up costing including shipping?

Talked to the shop that supplies X-Key Pro/X-Key Stick/YKey and man there prices are pretty high - I am tempted to ship them from the US with how good the exchange rate is. :/

[Xzin]

Cool - but heh. Now all I need is a way to connect a USB keyboard to a PS/2 port... because I really don't want to buy a whole ton of new USB multiplexers.

you can buy small USB>PS2 (and vice-versa) adapters for like AU$5. its simply a small plastic adapter, your USB device plugs in one end and it has a PS2 adapter in the output end.

Not really. Some kb/mice do that if they have chips that support it. N52s, G15s... Ergodexes... no dice.

[inire]

Spoke yesterday with the folks from Vetra.

Here's the list of what he stated, with the usual caveat that any product statements are preliminary data.

1. the G15 is actually 3 USB devices, the G keys, the regular keys, and the screen.

2. all the computers recognized the G15 and the N52 when they were plugged in.

3. They were testing with two and four computers connected.

4. since the G15 is three devices, it will require more USB chips within the mutiplexer. Vetra seemed to think that this was possible, with two separate hardware options. The first option would be able to do one USB device multiplied to 4/8 machines, and the other option would be able to do three USB devices to 4/8 machines. There would be two products, with the one USB/4 machines being the lowest cost, and the three USB/8 machines being the highest cost. Note that they did not actually SAY anything about an eight way, but a guy can dream, right?

5. The G15 screen appears to be a major issue due to the amount of bidirectional data going across it. Since getting the time from four machines would be very hard on the screen (or getting CPU data from four machines) the most likely solution would be to run the LCD software on the primary machine, and disable it on the other machines. The two way communication apparently better than they expected.

6. Mouse broadcast apparently works. Yeah, I really did not know what to say about this. Looks like a hardware solution for mouse multiplexing is possible. Recommended that a "use USB only to primary" button be created, or some key command/mouse button to detach mouse from other screens.

7. The G15 keys G keys were not tested yet. However, the N52 keys worked great for typing the qwerty set.

8. They're going to test the N52/G15 macro software this week.

That's the basics of the call. Personally, I am very excited by this, especially since Jesder and I have been talking about how difficult the two way communication would be for things like the G15. Looking forward to seeing this in action!

[hapiguy314]

Great post and follow up sir. M'hat's off to you! :P