2 KiB
+++ title = "HOWTO: Use the KVM in the Odyssey Ark Gen2" draft = false date = 2024-01-02 14:00:00-05:00
[taxonomies] tags = ["howto", "hardware"] +++
I splurged on the absolutely monstrous Samsung Odyssey Ark 55" (Gen 2) monitor.
If you want a gigantic beast of a monitor and you don't mind it also being a Smart TV kinda thing with its own Home screen and wifi connection, this is a fantastic device!
One of my use cases for a primary display is plugging it into my desktop and also my laptop. The built-in KVM on the monitor is superbly under-documented. Here's how to set it up quickly:
Connect your computers
The control box that the display connects to has four inputs: three HDMI and a DisplayPort. Pick the ones you like, and plug them in. Note which numbered port you connect which machine to.
You also need a USB connection to each, so connect a USB B or C cable from one of the labeled ports on the control box. There's three B and a C. Same as before, note which port you plugged which computer into.
Connect your peripherals
On the right side (from the front) of the control box, there's a couple of USB A ports. Each provides a different amount of power.
There's only two, which will work for a mouse and a keyboard. I highly recommend plugging a USB hub of some kind into the control box, and then plugging your stuff into there.
Configure the Odyssey Ark
In the Settings menu of the Odyssey Ark, navigate to Connection -> External Device Manager -> USB Input Port Setup.
This menu maps USB input Ports on the control box to display inputs. For each USB input you've plugged into on the back of the control box, map it to one (or more) displays.
That's it! Now, when you switch the monitor to a given input, it'll map the peripherals on the side ports to whichever USB Host port you've mapped them to.
What about the multi-monitor thing?
Hell if I know, it requires some Windows-only software and so I haven't even attempted to give it a try yet.
Hope this helps someone!