StarTech Ethernet to VGA over IP Converter IPUSB2VGA VGA Interface

Pros: Well, it's really neat. It, in theory, allows remote monitoring of a machine, which is what I was trying to use it for. We have metrics for our Cisco ACD displayed on a big monitor and we wanted to move the computer.

Cons: The cons are, it doesn't really work well. It's flaky, even on an enterprise network. It doesn't run as a service, which means that if you reboot the computer, you have to go to the computer, log in, start the software, then you can use the remote KVM functionality... Stability issues caused us to reboot it 2 or 3 times a day for a few days, and then I sent it back.

Other Thoughts: Machines tested were WinXP and Win7.

I ended up replacing it with a more traditional KVM over Cat5 (not IP, just Cat5 as a cable extender) and it's working solidly, no software needed, and you can reboot remotely if needed.

As usual Newegg service was great.

Pros: Don't let the 3-egg review turn you away. I rated it based on my use, sending videos from the computer to a TV with a VGA input. If your needs don't include smooth motion, it's a 5-egg product. I possibly could have got there eventually, but trying was just taking up too much time.

- Can use existing network infrastructure.
- Provides video and sound.
- Remote screen image is clean and sharp.
- Provides 2 remote usb ports.
- Easy to install IF your system already meets the product's requirements.

Cons: - Bringing your Windows installation up to the product requirements can be difficult and time consuming.
- Setting Windows up for multiple monitors can be maddening.
- When enabling remote sound, the local sound is disabled.
- Aero Themes are required (at least in Windows 7). The product statement "Supports Windows Aero themes" should read "Requires Windows Aero themes".

I'm using Win 7 64 bit. The situation may be different for different environments.

Other Thoughts: When first installed, I had a great quality remote picture but a horrible frame rate, ~2 frames/sec. Spending a couple hours reading online support info yielded things to try. The first was to update the ATI/AMD video driver. The new driver is a 45 meg download (!) and I blew an hour or two getting it set up. Not Startech's fault, but still part of setting up the adapter. The next thing was converting to Aero themes, which I strongly dislike. I set up a new Win user for this and replicated my user environment. Another few hours hosed. At this point the frame rate was significantly improved, maybe doubled to 4 frames/sec. I went from a wireless to a wired connection on the computer and got close to 10 frames/sec. Maybe a better network setup would do the trick. The previous review reported smooth video. But at this point I had put in all the time I was willing to and switched to a vga-over-cat5 solution. The picture is not as good but still ok, with no motion issues.

Pros: Originally intended for controlling projectors etc for remote operation of presentations in conference rooms.

Allows you to remotely control your host PC over a network without doing a remote desktop session.

Provides a remote display that functions as a USB display adapter and can be either the main display/mirror or extended display.

Two usb ports that can be connected to the host that you will usually use for a keyboard and mouse. These devices are connected to host as if they were plugged into the host usb ports.

Provides good non-jerky display for a 100Mbps ethernet connection.

Allows the use of DHCP so no futzing with IP addresses.

Oh yes and it provides sound as well.

Software was a snap to set up on win XP pro

Cons: USBs do not allow a hub to be used. You get only two ports and a display and sound.

While the display can be visible at the host as well as remotely, you can hear the sound only at either host or remotely as the default. I have not tried to select both host and remote sound card to try sound at both places.

Jerky display for power line network connection which was about 20-30 Mbps. However the PL adapters tend to have bursty thru put so it is to be expected.

Other Thoughts: The software for this device seems to be compatible with Startech's USB1000ip device, which is a single USB server. So you can get around the number of usb ports by spending $$. I have one and it works.

This is great technology and Startech is to be commended for bringing it to us. Even as a long time techie I still find some of this kinda stuff to be the next best thing to "magic".