How improve the Acer Predator X34 a better KVM?

texan_2022

KVM functionality enables easily switching the keyboard, video, and mouse between two or more computers. Since the Acer Predator X34GS has a multiple video inputs and multiple upstream USB ports with USB hub that can support keyboard and mouse, it can act as a KVM. On competing monitors that have multiple upstream USB ports, each port can be bound to an input. Say you have your laptop connected to HDMI 1 and USB-B and your laptop connected to DisplayPort-1 and USB-C, a Dell monitor enables automatically switching the USB upstream port whenever the video input it's bound to is selected. Unfortunately there is no such feature in the Acer Predator X34GS.

In order to use the Predator X34 as a KVM, you'll need at least 4 keystrokes to change the video input, then at least another 9 key strokes to change the USB upstream port. That ads up to a minimum of 13 keystrokes traversing multiple menus. This could be improved in a few , non mutually-exclusive ways:

1. Enable hotkey to switch to a specific input
2. Enable hotkey to select USB upstream port
3. Make it so the custom user modes saves all the settings, including USB upstream port and input.
4. Enable binding USB upstream ports to specific video inputs
5. Expose the ability to set the USB upstream port via DDC/CI VCP so that sophisticated users can script the functionality independent of changes to the OSD. Maybe there is a way to do this, but I can't find it based on my investigation detailed here.

Can the Acer monitor firmware developers please have a look at implementing any these features in a firmware update? Or specify the VCP and settings to change the USB upstream port via DDC/CI?

JackE

>>>Can the Acer monitor firmware developers please have a look at implementing any these features in a firmware update? Or specify the VCP and settings to change the USB upstream port via DDC/CI?>>>

Probably. But we're mainly Acer users on these forums, not Acer employee, contractors or firmware writers. In other words, we have no sway over something like this nor any way to run it up and or down the corporate structure to get it done. Accordingly, I suggest that you go to this corporate link on product innovation and contacts therein to express your ideas. See what if anything happens. https://www.acer-group.com/sustainability/en/innovative-products-services.html