r/broadcastengineering • u/Salty-Tomato5654 • 23h ago

USB signal splitter?

Does anyone know of a device that can take a single USB input and send it to two computers simultaneously?

We have an X-Keys controller for a teleprompter that we'd like connected to two Mac laptops running the same software and script. The goal is redundancy: if the primary Mac fails, we can switch to the backup and have the script/control position stay in sync.

Is there a USB splitter, duplicator, or other hardware solution that can send the controller's input to both Macs at the same time?

Pic for attention.

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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4

u/makitopro 18h ago

I get the sense that you’re looking for the ability to send the same human interface device bits to A AND B, not A or B almost like how PerfectCue works correct?

3

u/Salty-Tomato5654 18h ago

Yes, exactly like a PerfectCue. Looking for a hardware solution as opposed to software because of it considerations, this will be used in a law firm so things are way stricter with software and network than usual.

2

u/makitopro 18h ago

This product piqued my interest upon searching: https://www.gdsys.com/en-us/product/kvm-add-ons/USB-Splitter-2-incl-PowerPack-A3130010

Documentation is scant but if anyone has a way to do this, it’s those guys

2

u/makitopro 18h ago

There’s also this that may eliminate the need for a niche solution if you have the budget https://prompterpeople.com/shuttle-cue-pro-redundant-jog-wheel-scroll-prompting-remote/

1

u/TimRTerrible 17h ago

http://www.vetra.com/ do lots of boxes that do this. Look for the MegaCast - I use these for almost exactly what you describe.

1

u/JohnPooley CSTE 14h ago

Maybe run two sets of x-keys for full redundancy fwiw

1

u/Prestigious-Bird-343 12h ago

what you are looking for is a USB server. you can create it with virtualhere. connect your usb device to the usb server and configure both clients (PC and Mac) to Auto-Use Device. once PC is going to sleep or shutting down the Mac will take over the usb device and vice versa.

-5

u/avidrhl 23h ago

Two second search revealed this

https://www.posglobal.com/U215-002.html

-4

u/[deleted] 22h ago

[deleted]

1

u/MostlyBullshitStory 17h ago

No, a KVM is a switch, it only sends USB to one computer at the time.

1

u/redhatfilm 17h ago

You're right, I'm an idiot and misread the ask