Customer reviews from startech.com
Startech - 2-Port Dual DisplayPort USB KVM Switch with Audio and USB 2.0 Hub - Black
Average customer rating
3.1
(13 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 13 reviews
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
3
1 Star
2
Customer Reviews for Startech - 2-Port Dual DisplayPort USB KVM Switch with Audio and USB 2.0 Hub - Black
Customer Rating
3
Great in theory, lacks a little in application.
on December 27, 2022
Posted by: Ads76
I work on a site where we have two different computers systems and two different computers for them so being able to switch between both and use dual screens was a big advantage for me.
The setup was easy enough, just plugged in and away I went.
I've been using a few weeks now, and its working okay just have the one issue that every time I switch computers it reset all open apps to the one monitor, would of been nice if it would let the computers remember what was on each screen instead of having to move the programs every switch.
The setup was easy enough, just plugged in and away I went.
I've been using a few weeks now, and its working okay just have the one issue that every time I switch computers it reset all open apps to the one monitor, would of been nice if it would let the computers remember what was on each screen instead of having to move the programs every switch.
Written by a customer while visiting startech.com
Customer Rating
3
Works - sort of.
on December 27, 2021
Posted by: darrelh
Bought this early in the pandemic to adapt my desk to both personal and work computers. From day 1 I've had issues with the USB peripherals. The mouse port has never worked when switching, so I've had to plug a wired mouse into the generic shared USB port.
Dual displays have been highly inconsistent, and frequently I would have to reboot my laptop after I switched to it in order for one of the displays to detect properly - but don't you dare let the monitor go to sleep as it will be detected wrong again on waking.
Response from startech.comBy Barrington, Customer Support, December 28, 2021
We are sorry to hear that you experienced difficulty with SV231DPDDUA.
This is not expected behavior for our USB KVM Switch. The SV231DPDDUA includes a 3 year warranty. We will be reaching out to perform some troubleshooting and, if deemed defective and within warranty, help facilitate a replacement.
This is not expected behavior for our USB KVM Switch. The SV231DPDDUA includes a 3 year warranty. We will be reaching out to perform some troubleshooting and, if deemed defective and within warranty, help facilitate a replacement.
Written by a customer while visiting startech.com
Customer Rating
1
Garbage... What use does this have?
on May 2, 2021
Posted by: Frustrated2021
I learned something new this week: EDID, or Extended Display Identification Data, is used by the computer to determine it is connected to an external display. Without it, the computer thinks it is not connected. When using a KVM switch, if EDID data isn't reported to the computer, such as when switching between machines, the computer defaults its desktop (at least under Windows).
This device does not mimic EDID data; therefore, switching causes the computer to think it has lost its display. EDID Emulation is available, better KVM devices offer it. StarTech is not a "better KVM device", however.
They recommend that after buying their overpriced box, that one goes and buys external EDID emulators to overcome this problem - instead of just engineering it into their product. I have to say I'm disappointed; this isn't a cheap import - it is supposed to be a quality device; though I learned this is not the case.
Furthermore, I've noticed continued issues when switching. More than half of the time, when I switch, the displays don't come up. I have to switch back and forth numerous times to get the monitors to be recognized.
When doing so many switches, I've also noted that keyboard and mouse functions have gotten weird. The mouse wheel will often stop working, the keyboard doesn't register; and the only solution left is to reboot.
I am absolutely unimpressed - I strongly recommend individuals consider alternative vendors and avoid the frustrations that I and others have had with this manufacturer. Hopefully, they'll get their act together and fix their faulty designs.
Response from startech.comBy Dan, Customer Support, May 4, 2021
Thank you for your detailed review and we apologize that the KVM didn't meet your expectations. I have passed your feedback along in regards to the built in EDID emulation for KVMs.
We will be reaching out to see if we can help resolve the issues you are seeing when switching back and forth.
We will be reaching out to see if we can help resolve the issues you are seeing when switching back and forth.
Written by a customer while visiting startech.com
Customer Rating
5
Solid Product
on January 11, 2021
Posted by: AlanJ
I have had this product for nearly 3 years - simple to set up, switches between Mac & PC with two 2560x1440 displays and logitech wireless mouse / keyboard. Super easy to use - couldn't have hoped for a more trouble-free better product.
Written by a customer while visiting startech.com
Customer Rating
2
The only thing that works for me...regrettably.
on February 29, 2020
Posted by: BjR69
I've had this for over a year and it behaves HORRIBLY when recovering from sleep and the supposedly USB2.0 hub is practically useless. For both of these situations, I believe that a firmware update would/could help, but...I don't see that happening.
Still for my dual DP with two laptop setup, this is the only viable option.
Did I mention it's WAY too expensive for what it provides? :-(
Response from startech.comBy Matt, Customer Support, March 2, 2020
It's important to us that our customers have a positive experience with our products and we apologize for the problems you've been having with our SV231DPDDUA. We'd like to speak with you about this as the KVM switch shouldn't be having issues waking from sleep or with USB hub functionality. The SV231DPDDUA comes with a 3-year warranty and free lifetime technical support and you can contact us for assistance at www.startech.com/support where our Technical Advisors are available 24 hours a day, 5 days a week to provide support.
Matt, StarTech.com Support
Matt, StarTech.com Support
Written by a customer while visiting startech.com
Customer Rating
2
Frustrating
on September 20, 2018
Posted by: IT Support Tech
Support about 40 of these and work most of the time but have a high level of failures from keyboard/mouse not working to screens not always detecting. Have to buy several replacements each year. Wish there was an alternative on the market
Written by a customer while visiting startech.com
Customer Rating
3
Very mixed feelings with this...
on September 14, 2017
Posted by: BillRyan
First, let me note I received this item in exchange for an impartial review.
That said, please pay attention and know what you want and need before buying this. DisplayPort is NOT HDMI. They look similar but aren't and unless you have DisplayPort, you'll need an adapter which will delay things.
Past that, this is as easy to use as any other KVM StartTech offers. It's not a low end KVM. This is serious KVM for people that want and need a professional product.
The scenario this solves is simple - Multiple computers, typically a Desktop and a laptop or two towers and one primary monitor, mouse, speakers and peripherals that you want to share with the two computers. Very simple solution to an annoying problem.
The construction is really solid as I said above, it's durable and strong, allows some air flow so heat isn't a huge issue and everything fits pretty as well as it could. Unlike the other KVM switches I've got here, this one started out working great and then got really sketchy. I see a few others noted a few problems. I'll just say I've had the same ones almost identical. HOWEVER, it's easily fixed, very intermittent and is seldom a very big problem. To fix it you hit the button twice. Yet it still does seem weird and my only concern is that it seems to have gotten worse over time, the quick fix may not continue working.
As long as you know what your components are, understand DisplayPort vs HDMI, have the adapters if you need them, you'll have this thing out of the box and working in a few minutes. I was hoping I had a bad unit until I saw a few other people post about it. Time will tell.
Written by a customer while visiting startech.com
Customer Rating
5
Product as described. Works good.
on July 17, 2017
Posted by: jbeck
I would recommend this to anyone with dual monitors and two pc’s. The only issue I had was that Windows 7 kept adjusting the displays when I switched between computers. It was a real annoyance to find all my windows, icons and screen resolutions messed up every time I switched. I finally after about a week of annoyances found a setting in my catalyst control center to disable display polling which fixed the problem for me.
Written by a customer while visiting startech.com