[Feedback Needed] We're Building a New Multi-Port KVM over IP (4K@30fps Target) – Tell Us What to Include!

KVM
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Hey all !

Our team is actively developing a brand new Multi-Port Remote KVM Switch for professionals and advanced users. We're aiming to deliver a high-value, reliable product, and before we lock down the final specs, we really need your direct input.

Help us make sure this product is truly valuable to you!

1. :money_bag: Value and Pricing Expectation

We are committed to building a quality product, so let's talk about budget and value.

Q1: For a powerful, multi-port Remote KVM (KVM over IP) switch that handles reliable 4K resolution at 30fps (4K@30fps), what is an acceptable price range for you?

Q2: What specific features or performance leaps would incentivize you to invest a higher budget? And roughly, how much more would that be?

2. :electric_plug: Connectivity Requirements

We need your help balancing the port count with the physical size of the unit.

Q3: Regarding video inputs, what is the most appropriate total number of ports? And what are your specific suggestions for the interface combination (HDMI/DP/Type-C)? Please spell out your expected interface mix (e.g., 2x HDMI, 1x DP, 1x Type-C).

Q4: Besides standard keyboard and mouse connections, what other peripherals do you need to connect? Please list them!

3. :desktop_computer: Your Usage Scenario

Understanding your daily setup helps us prioritize stability, performance, and niche features.

Q5: What is your primary user scenario? (e.g., managing rack servers, a mixed PC/Laptop setup, content creation workstation, testing lab, etc.). Crucially, how are you currently solving the connectivity and control issues in this specific scenario?

Q6: Beyond the standard KVM functions, what special features would make this product an indispensable tool for you? (e.g., Power over Ethernet (PoE), touchscreen support, support for specific legacy interfaces, etc.).

Huge thanks for taking the time to share your insights! We'll be monitoring and responding to your feedback.

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Add more accessories:

•	Bluetooth smart plug (switch control)
•	USB Wi-Fi dongle
•	USB LTE/5G modem
•	USB-to-serial adapter
•	Upgrade data port from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0

Support H.265 or AV1 encoding
Support 4K@60 Hz HDMI loop-out

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Bro POE for sure is the most important and also a selling point.

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  • Definitely rack mountable, whether it's like many Ethernet switches where you just use some ears to make it rack-mount or something like the STLs you produced for the Comet Pro.
  • I'd go with both a 4 and 8 client device model if possible. I only NEED 4, but I'd buy an 8 for growth.
  • I use HDMI and USB-A on my client device, but if you built a dongle that connected a USB-C port on the KVM switch and had HDMI and USB-C (non-video) connectors to feed into the client that may be a better long-term solution since I'd love for most things to be USB-C only.
  • A local monitor/keyboard/mouse option would be fantastic (essentially the HDMI-passthrough option of the Comet Pro but with a local keyboard/mouse - although I'm hoping I'll be able to do that with the Pro as well), the video output would mirror the network-based display. Having it disabled when there's a remote connection would be fine if it's needed, but there should be a way for the local access to kill active sessions. It would also open the possibility of you creating and selling a lapdock or rack-mounted equivalent yourselves (I'd probably buy a rack-mount option).
  • Try to maintain USB-C power if possible (PoE option for me is a nice-to-have, but I know others would make it a requirement), if not please use something standard like IEC C6/8/14 rather than a wall-wart - there's a lot of depth for a rack-mount device to add the power converters.
  • Other feature requests I've made apply, especially external logging options. I'd love to get a Slack message if there's an update available or if someone logs in either locally or remotely.
  • An interesting option would be to include a power port with each KVM client, I currently use a managed power strip to switch devices on and off (it has a nice "cycle" feature which will allow me to reboot a modem with a single command) but merging that functionality into the KVM would be even cleaner for the server devices at the expense of space.

As always, feel free to reach out directly if you would like more information or a detailed design.

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I would definitely say 4 port HDMI with Poe for power or USBC. Both. I use it for my two servers and my nvr. Would be fantastic to have all in one solutions especially being i haven't been able to get it to work with my ezcoo. Rack mountable with ears or STL would be preferred. Just upgraded my rack and have the 1u space for it.

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OK, PoE is in the spec.

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PoE is in the spec. what the “USBC” means? for video or just for power?

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rack mount is also considered. Will stl file be OK or need some steal ears?

about the power port for KVM client. if we can connect fingerbot to press the power key. will that OK?

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will check it.

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  • 3xDP and 1xhdmi
  • Multimonitor integration / video pass through.
  • seamless mouse integration for multi monitor setups
  • power supply inside the unit
  • if it has everything I need $250 - $300 would be a good ballpark.

I am currently running several multi workstation controlled research instruments using several comets for each. Works fine - most of these have DP only graphics cards, so I am using DP to HDMI adapters/cables. Some have only one usable graphics adapter output, so I am using video splitter too.

I switched to IP based kvm since I/we would like/need to to get away from teams/splashtop etc and be able to keep everything confined on local VLANS. Works really well so so far. For Multimonitor setups using two or three glkvms depending on the attached number of mionitors, mouse integration works but could be better.

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19" STL is fine, personally I'd prefer a cleaner rack mount solution (a basic pizza-box with steel ears) but that looks boring when not in a rack so if rack mount installations are a minority something more aesthetic is probably the better choice. I would, however, rather purchase the rack mount adapter from you than to have it printed.

Adding a KVM+Power feature would really make the product unique in the market (especially if there are a few extra power ports). I use my Digital Loggers power strip when a system has hung to the point where the console is non-responsive - but the more common use case are for devices outside the servers (I use my power strip to reboot my cable modem and Ethernet switch automatically if I can't ping the Internet). I don't have a Fingerbot (yet, I ordered one with the Comet Pro to play with) so I can't speak to it directly, but the majority of the time all I need is the WoL support for my servers. But this is definitely a nice-to-have since it would replace not just my KVM switch but also my power switch, and probably more of an idea for a potential future product.

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FWIW, all I care about is 1080p resolution and a single monitor (but the idea of having models supporting 2 or even 3 monitors is an interesting idea).

It occurs to me that bypassing my current KVM switch would allow for some new functionality. Most of my servers are Linux machines and I only need a CLI. While I need KVM functionality for the times when I need to access the BIOS setup, the majority of the time all I need is access to a serial console. It would really reduce bandwidth needs and avoid scaling issues if something like the SSH terminal could be used instead of a graphical interface (it may even be able to be the SSH terminal if there's a stub local SSH server that connects to the TTY port).

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make it capable of connecting to raspberry pi 5 in pre-boot mode… I use Pi’s in clusters and if one fails to boot on its own, I need to be able to press space bar in the real early stages of its power on so I can choose another means of booting…. the current GL inet KVM I use does not enable the Keyboard until after the linux kernel boots.. it will stay “orange” and even the onscreen KB fails to work.. I have tried every setting and no dice.. so im hoping any new device you come up with will have this rectified.. im guessing it has to do with how you handle the USB stack in your device, of course I can use a real KB connected to my pi locally and access the pre boot menu with no issues so I know the pi is configured correctly for it..

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probably impossible to put into one unit but if anyone can do it it’s you guys.

Q1: Acceptable Price Range (4, 8, 16 Ports)

  • 4-port: 250–300 USD (up to 400 with premium features)

  • 8-port: 450–550 USD (up to 650 with premium features)

  • 16-port: 700–900 USD (up to 1100 for enterprise reliability)

Q2: Features Worth Paying More For

  • Integrated per-port power control

    • AC relay or high-power USB switching

  • Advanced encoding

    • H.265 minimum, AV1 ideal

  • Local console output

    • HDMI out + local keyboard/mouse override

  • Serial console mode

    • TTY access, SSH passthrough

    • Support for Cisco/Mellanox/Arista console workflows

  • Multi-monitor support (2 or 3 displays)

  • Macro/automation engine

    • Boot sequences, ISO mounting, scheduled tasks

    • Recovery macros for ROMmon/Aboot/ONIE environments

  • Dual power options (PoE + USB C, or optional internal PSU)

Q3: Ideal Video Port Mix

  • 4-port: 2 HDMI, 1 DP, 1 USB C

  • 8-port: 2 HDMI, 4 DP, 2 USB C

  • 16-port: DP-heavy mix or modular port cards

Q4: Needed Peripherals Beyond Keyboard/Mouse

  • USB to serial adapter (full serial console support, including Cisco RJ45 pinout)

  • Mass storage emulation (virtual ISO/USB for OS and firmware installs)

  • Touchscreen HID

  • USB network gadget mode (for switch rescue and diagnostics)

  • Power control ports (integrated relays or high-power USB)

  • Optional WiFi/LTE/5G dongles

Q5: Primary Usage Scenario

  • Managing mixed servers, workstations, network switches, and cluster nodes

  • Need early-boot keyboard access for BIOS/UEFI/bootloaders

  • Need serial-first access for network devices (Cisco, Mellanox, Arista, Juniper)

  • Replace separate KVM + IP PDU + serial console server

  • Useful in homelabs, labs with multi-node AI setups, and remote ops racks, GPU clusters

Q6: Special Features That Make It Indispensable

  • True pre-boot USB keyboard initialization (must work before kernel)

  • Integrated per-port power switching

  • Local HDMI console with override

  • H.265/AV1 encoding for smooth 4K at low bandwidth

  • Automation macros for repeatable workflows

    • Including ROMmon/ONIE/Aboot entry and switch recovery sequences

  • Local-first architecture with optional cloud relay

  • Rack-mount ears (steel preferred, STL optional)

  • Multi-monitor options

  • Serial + SSH passthrough for low-bandwidth management

    • Auto-switch to serial when no video signal is present

    • Built-in Break key support for Cisco/Arista loader access

  • SFP or SFP+

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