Belkin OmniView SOHO Series 4-Port KVM Switch with Audio, USB

May 23rd, 2002

Pros: Easy to use, stylish design; simple installation; color coded connections; upgradeable firmware.
Cons: Plastic cover is hard to put on, microphone input is mono only.
Verdict: The Belkin Omniview SOHO 4 port USB KVM w/Audio is a fine KVM which looks stylish, easy to use, and has very little flaws.

Belkin’s Omniview SOHO offers a stylish, elegant look with nicely spaced buttons; it also has a grayish black color coupled with silver aesthetics to produce a rather elegant look. While the Omniview SOHO looks nice, it also blends in functionally as well.

USB Saves the Day
While most KVM’s in the past only had PS2 and VGA connectors, Belkin’s Omniview SOHO attempts to rid users of legacy PS2 ports by replacing them with USB 1.1 ports. It boasts USB keyboard/mouse, stereo audio, microphone, and peripheral sharing with up to four computer systems.

Belkin's Omniview SOHO is capable of emulating a keyboard/mouse upon bootup to remove the hassle of having to select the system before you turn it on to allow the BIOS to detect the keyboard/mouse. There is also the ability to share two other USB 1.1 devices via the two extra USB ports dedicated for peripherals, as well as a stereo audio connector for your speakers, and a mono microphone input for your microphone.

The unit also comes with a 5-year warranty through Belkin as well as a flash upgradeable firmware. Flash upgradeable firmware simply means if in the future Belkin finds something wrong with the software controlling the KVM, or decide to add features, they can simply release a new firmware that users can install themselves and take advantage of the new fixes/features.

Snappy Installation
Installation involves running mainly 4 cables for Video, Keyboard/Mouse, and Audio, which was relatively simple and trouble free. By eliminating PS/2 connections, the Omniview only requires only one USB cable to be plugged into each system. The KVM's 2-port USB hub will also allow you to share other peripherals beside keyboard and mouse. Once all the cables are installed, all you need to do is simply plug in the power adaptor, put the plastic cover on, and turn the system on.

Ironically, putting the plastic cover back on is the most difficult part of the installation. With all the cables cluttering the KVM, the cover proves to be a tight fit due to the amount of cables that are running out of it.

Upon system startup, Windows will automatically detect the KVM as a USB hub and require no extra driver to be installed, which makes installation nearly fool proof and trouble free. After everything is installed, you can switch from system to system by the touch of a button or using the keyboard hot keys. The hot keys mainly involve using the scroll lock and arrow keys. For example, say you want to switch to the next system, if the KVM is far out of reach, you can simple hit scroll lock twice, wait for it to beep, then tap either the up or down arrow to scan up or down through the ports.

The Bottom Line
With a street price of around $112, Belkin’s Omniview SOHO 4 port USB KVM with Audio offers users an attractive and functional KVM with an easy installation process and simple use. You won’t receive any cables, Belkin sells high quality cable kits for $39.99 which includes your VGA, USB, and Audio cables, and one kit is required per computer. Users looking for a new KVM should take a look at Belkin’s fine example of a USB KVM done right.

- Tuan Huynh, Contributing Editor

Where to buy Belkin OmniView SOHO Series 4-Port KVM Switch with Audio, USB?


User Review(s)

"Works well with separate USB Keyboard and Mouse" Initially I was going to agree with the majority of reviewers and give a thumbs down for this product. The Belkin F1DS102U will NOT work with any USB combo keyboard/mouse unless you plug it into the auxilliary USB ports and can put up with the accompanying incessant beeping. However, it works just fine if you purchase a separate USB mouse and a separate USB keyboard. The downside is that I could not find any wireless keyboards - only wireless mouse or wireless mouse/keyboard combos with a single USB plug. I used the Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer USB mouse and the Microsoft Digital Media Pro USB corded keyboard. Systems tested with Belkin KVM: Mac Mini and eMachines M6809 laptop. Only basic keyboard keys are detected (no media button, email, scroll, etc.). Mouse left, right, middle, and scroll button work fine. Switching back and forth produced no significant anomalies. Ocassional keyboard characters are not picked up or misinterpreted, but not on a grand scale. Minor inconvenience at worst that happens only occasionally. My environment has a lot of RF noise, so this is not too bad. I rate this product about 3.5 stars out of 5. From Steve, May 16, 2005

"Don't do it !!!" Terrible product. First one (2 port version) had problems with the mouse cursor turning hyperactive and madly moving around the screen by itself. Returned it , the dealer tested it and verified the problem. Replaced with another brand new unit ... same problem. Returned it to dealer and replaced it with a Serverlink KVM. Problem solved. From Tony B, May 10, 2005

"aweful" Been trying to get this to work for 12 hours solid, and getting a bit tired. Thinking about chucking it out the window, but it would make too much of a mess outside. Unit does not work with anymore than 1 computer, which is pretty useless as the whole reason for buying the thing is to use it with more than 1 computer. I've tried everything, and I know belkin's website back to front by now. Their "no keyboard" firmware upgrade is about as useful as a dead donkey's arse and just returns the error "tramsmit error!". I guess Belkin's coding is as good as their spelling. I won't be going near BELKIN again after this experience. In fact, I think I might send them an invoice for my time. I've called their tech support number in the manual but get through to a Hospital Ward. I call the number on their website, and get answered by a computer that hangs up the line before you get anywhere. I've just wasted £70 and if I ever see a Belkin product again, I'm going to steer right around it. From matt, April 23, 2005

"Nearly un-useable without workarounds." The reviews on this site inspired me to send this to Belkin's tech support and customer support email.... not that anything will come of it. I have recently borrowed this KVM switch from my brother to use (he doesn’t need the unit at the moment). Even with the fact that I didn’t have to “buy� this unit I’m shocked at how poorly it performs. So shocked that I have visited multiple review sites and been prompted to write you this email. Why have there been no updates to this hardware to fix the number of issues that have been seen with these units? The only way I have been able to get this thing to perform “reasonably� is by plugging in my main keyboard to the USB hub, and using a standby keyboard in the keyboard port. With this two keyboard configuration I can finally use my extended keys on my MS office keyboard and I finally don’t have these issues: Shift key will be held down until pressed multiple times. Alt key will be held down until pressed multiple times. By typing quickly, strange behavior starts to occur (new lines suddenly happen, deletes, keys I didn’t press, etc…). I only type at about 75 wpm. Heavy use of keyboard “shortcuts� causes odd behavior (such as ctrl-vcx for past/copy/cut procedures). Repetitive pressing causes odd behavior (such as the sequence: arrow down, arrow left, delete. This is used frequently in programming when commenting/uncommenting lines). Holding down keys magically release after 4 seconds or so (really annoying when you are holding down shift or ctrl to select large numbers of files not to mention the adverse effect this has on gamming). The list goes on and on…. Really I used to think you guys produced quality products, but after seeing the reviews on this product I’m shocked and will probably never purchase Belkin. The only saving grace is that I was able to try this product for free rather then spending the $150+ to get the unit with cables of high enough quality to support higher resolutions. Which brings me to another complaint, why on earth is there a KVM cable that costs $60??? Hello!?!?! I finally found a good set of USB/Audio HiRes Video KVM cables made by Vaster (P/N: 19064-6) that I bought for $11 each. They function perfectly. Grow up and stop fleecing the market. Cables are cheap, regardless of how many twists, and how good of foil you use to make them. The very idea that you could spend $300 on 6’ cables for a 4 port KVM switch is insane. Please take the time to repair this unit. There are many people out there that are far more frustrated then I am and something tells me you have heard from many of them. When a small review site has over 40 negative reviews on your product with only 3 favorable…. that should tell you something. If a simple firmware upgrade cannot fix all the above issues (and more) then you should offer a replacement unit to the many people who have purchased this unit and been so horribly dissatisfied. Something tells me that this email will not be one of your disillusioned feedbacks at http://www.belkin.com/contactus/customerfeedback.htm. It is very convenient that you don’t allow direct posts and you filter out all the negative reviews that have surely come from this product. I have worked in the computer industry for 12 years now. I know this email is going to be read by low level techs and customer support people. It will probably be discarded long before it reaches anyone’s eyes that actually effect product development, however, if I may be so bold: Please send this email up the ranks for once so that management can see for themselves just how disgruntled a person can be, simply because the product made by a company does not satisfy basic user requirements. From Chris H, March 24, 2005

"Stay away from at all costs" Boy I wish I'd come across this web page before I bought this damn thing. I bought this KVM so that I can share my Sony CPD-G400 19" monitor and my Apple Pro Keyboard and mouse between my iBook G4, PowerMac G3 and a Windows XP box. Unfortunately, I like many others on this forum, I have yet to get this to work. It seems to recognize the keyboard/mouse if I plug it into the USB Device port, but no matter what I do, the buttons on the front of the device will not allow me to switch between computers. The only thing that happens is that the first LED constantly flashes. I've tried flashing the unit with the original firmware, as well as the no-keyboard firmware, but it doesn't make any difference (although the no-keyboard firmware did get rid of the annoying beeping). I'm calling Belkin tomorrow and gonna try to send this piece of junk back. I honestly can't believe that they're still shipping this piece of crap - I will never buy from Belkin again!! From Adam, March 18, 2005

"problematic since day one" This switch has been problematic since day one. I cannot get it to work with Linux at all on either a desktop or a laptop (cursor jumps around uncontrollably) and with my new HP laptop the only way it will work with the docking station is with a USB cable and when you switch back and forth you have to wait for about 10 seconds for the keyboard control to return. From ezas, February 07, 2005

"Could not get to work" Tried to get a F1DS102U to work with 2 PCs running XP. Video was always messed-up. Followed all the instructions, read all the FAQs, but to no avail. Attempted to update firmware from Belkin's website but got "Tramsmit Error!" (that's no typo - transmit was actually mispelled!) Will try to return it, because including Belkin's recommened cables, this was over $150! From P. Richard, December 31, 2004

"Mabey if I return it the 2nd one will work?" After the first reboot, no k/b or mouse. I have the Logitech MX700 wireless k/b mouse combo. I pushed the USB plug for system 1 into the SOHO switch a little bit harder and Win2K recognized a new USB device... but still no kb or mouse. Next, I plugged the one USB connector from the wireless receiver into the mouse input of the SOHO and then it worked (the MX700 combo receiver has USB and PS/2 connectors- the USB for kb and PS/2 for mouse- so I guess the USB plug is used to support both, but has to be plugged into the MOUSE input of the switch). So next, I tried to get system 2 to work... no luck- the switch would not "switch" to port 2- whether I use the hot keys or the buttons on the switch (it's actually the 2-port version). I'm using it to switch the k/b and mouse only- the monitor has a switch that I use to change between system 1 which uses the digital input and system 2 which uses the analog... maybe without the VGA being connected the switch thinks there's nothing connected to port 2 and that's the reason? No mention of this on their web site (which I didn't find very helpful), and somebody here mentioned that tech support is located in India, so I'm not going to bother (they just read the stuff off the screen in front of them... I'd like to hack into their help system and make some "helpful" changes to the text- you know they'd read whatever is there for a while before realizing...) So tomorrow I will pack it up and return it... and... maybe try another one? From Scott, August 23, 2004

"Nice design, shame its next to impossible to get it to work." I have been using this KVM switch for about a month. I have connected to it: - windows xp laptop - windows 2000 desktop - suse 9.0 desktop - suse 9.1 desktop The physical design of the product is very nice, and the in built cable management is cool too. But the product is realy only for use on very basic windows based environments. Out of the box it worked on only one of my computers, it took a great deal of fiddling to get it to work on the others. This is how it went. Windows XP – This is a laptop (IBM R40) that has built in pointing devices. The switch seems to have some problems with this. If I boot the laptop up while I am viewing it with the switch I have no problems, but as soon as a switch off of it and then back on the mouse freezes. To remedy this in the short term I would just disconnect the mosues USB connecter from the laptop and plug it back in. One idea I had was to create 2 hardware profiles, one with the internal pointing devices disabled. I was unable to do this. For unknown reasons it is not possible to disable the internal keyboard and mouse. Bizarrely the problem was resolved when I connected a Logitech Marble mouse trackball to the switch and installed the drivers for it. It is now working a treat, but only with this mouse. Windows 2000- This worked straight out of the box, no problem at all. Suse 9.0- I found that when I switched on to this box the mouse would move erratically around the screen. I replaced the mouse type via Yast with a generic 2 button ps2 mouse. This means I have lost use of the wheel, but at least the mouse works. suse9.1- same problem as above, but for some reason not resolved the same way as above. Thus far I have not fixed the issue, I have the suse box on a separate monitor keyboard and mouse. From what I have read on these pages I have not got the bottle up to try a flash upgrade, so I cant say how well it works. Due to a lack of cables I have not tried the USB functionality of the switch. So, to summarises. If you *only* use windows *only* on desktops that *only* have one pointing device installed then you should be OK. If not, try another KVM switch. From Stuart Winter, August 16, 2004

"Your Kidding Right? F1DA116T sucks" Ok here's the deal. We buy a 16 port F1DA116T KVM switch and we buy Belkin because our old one was Belkin. From Day 1, problems, as soon as we switch to our IBM servers we loose mouse and keyboard which defeats the purpose of having a KVM. No Problem, there is a Flash Update on their site. So we decide to Flash it, but of course realized later that the Flash jumper settings are concealed beneath the rack mounts, someone fell asleep while designing this unit. The Flash Update program is written by the dumbest programmer. There is no visual feedback to show that we are flashing the unit. Instead a stupid message saying "PROGRAM WAIT" just sits there on the screen. But WAIT!, the fun is not over yet. We call Tech Support and of course we get routed to India (the country, I am from). I seriously could not understand the dude,... and I'm Indian...what gives? He of course tells us to Disconnect all our Servers...huh? and so we do, but that doesn't help. So $500 down the drain and still no proper KVM. I'm afraid that if I send this back, I'll probably get another POS back. So do yourself a favor and DON'T BUY B E L K I N Trendnet, Trip Lite... anything else. Have a Great Day! rgds From Selwyn da Costa, July 02, 2004

"Terrible terrible product" Like everyone else has said, this product simply doesn't work. I have 1 PC and 2 Macs and am sick of climbing under the desk to switch the monitor and keyboard between them, so I was really excited when I saw this product. It turns out that to use it with my 19" monitor, I had to buy 3 $60.00 VGA cables, as the cheaper ones can't handle the bigger monitors. Then it turns out not to work with the 2 standard USB keyboards I have. Both keyboards work fine with both Macs and the PC, so I'm prone to believe the problem is with the switch. Customer service gave me the run-around getting a replacement for the first one, which I believe was defective. Then when I tried to return the second one for a refund, I got more run-around. They wouldn't give me an RMA number, but they wouldn't accept the return without one, etc. This sours me to all their products. From Darrin Cardani, June 30, 2004

"belkin sucks" I bought this thing and have had nothing but problems. If you want to use a wireless keyboard mouse combo that runs through just one usb cable, then you have to use one of the auxillary usb ports on the device. The catch is that the unit is programmed to make this horrid beeping noise when there is no dedicated usb keyboard hooked in. They claim that there is a flash upgrade to stop the beeping but I tried to do it with two machines and the flash upgrade proram says "transmit failure" this is a real piece of shit if you ask me. DO NOT BUY, you will be lucky if it dosn't aggrevate you. From Mitch Grewat, May 10, 2004

"It works...barely" I got the 2-port Belkin SOHO switch. I finally got it to work with some work-arounds. I am switching from an HP XP machine to a compaq SUSE Linux box,using the Compaq keyboard and a Microsoft mouse. I had a lot of problems at first where I lost the kbd connection to the HP box, so I used a work-around of plugging the keyboard into one of the "normal" USB ports and then plugging an unused mouse into the "keyboard" USB port (to stop the *(&*$&#* beeping). I still occasionaly lose the kbd connection to the HP, but I found a workaround - just hit the "Alt" key once and it comes back. I intensly dislike the beeping, both the KVM itself beeps and the HP box makes a wierd sound when the switch occurs. Overall I would not recommend this product. From Bruce Lambert, May 09, 2004

"Find an alternative" Pros: - Cheaper than commercial KVM - Includes USB hub - Inexpensive but high quality industry standard cables Cons: - Keypress autorepeat ceases after 3-4 seconds (try scrolling thru a file ): - Extra keyboard buttons don't work - Intermittent fake HID detection problems with Linux - Nil response from Tech support Connect keyboard to HUB (for extra keys) and the thing keeps beeping (until you sacrifice *another* usb kbd) Returning this thing and will replace with an Avocent KVM. Australian tech support for Avocent are helpful and confirmed Linux (2.4.24) compat. From Chris Cooper, April 27, 2004

"About to toss my 5th" All the problems other have stated. Nothing works. Belkin has sent me 4 replacements now (last one I didn't have to pay postage). Tech & customer support say this is very strange, as they never have problems with this KVM. Maybe I can use the cables from this doorstop somewhere else. From Jim, April 01, 2004

We're currently upgrading our user review system; so we won't be accepting new reviews for now.

OmniView SOHO Series 4-Port KVM Switch with Audio, USB Specs

Interface(s)	Original USB
Released date	September 2003
Platforms	Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, MacOS 9.1, MacOS X, Linux Kernel 2.4
# of computers supported	4
Audio support?	Yes
Cables included?	No
Power source	Self-powered
Warranty	Five years

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