KVM cable

Posted on April 5, 2015 by KVMGalore | 0 comments

An all-in-one coax cable that integrates keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) connections into one cable.

Older KVM cables literally consisted of three cables - one for each connection - that were simply bonded together.

3-in-one KVM cable with pigtail connectors on one end and an integrated HD-15 connector on the other end

Newer KVM cables integrate the three connections into one cable (with a single jacket). Such 3-in-one cables are typically a lot thinner than older-style bonded cables, and have one main connector at the end of the cable, with one or two additional connectors coming out of the main connector as pigtails. This form of all-in-one KVM cable is expanded to also support audio connections, with pigtails for speakers and mic.

3-in-one KVM cable with pigtail connectors on one end and an integrated DB-25 connector on the other end

I an effort to reduce the real estate needed for KVM connections at the back of KVM switches, some KVM cables integrate the three connections into one DB-25, HD-15 or a proprietary connector, thus saving space, reducing clutter and simplifying KVM switch installations.

KVM cables are typically available at a number of fixed lengths, usually not exceeding 30 feet to avoid signal degradation (especially video-quality degradation) that is inherent to long coax cables.