Question about KVM switches and LCD displays

I have a 17" LCD display (my first, given to me by my wife for christmas - she's hot, a good cook, rabidly neat housekeeper, AND supports me in my PC addictions . . . and people still wonder why I smile all the time . . .).

Now that I'm done bragging - the problem is I have two PC's I use on a regular basis. I have an Iomega KVM to switch between the two of them while working/playing etc. I was told by a local tech-guru that KVM's can reduce the life of all displays, LCD in particular. I haven't found much on the 'net to confirm (or deny) this claim.

I do have both PC's video cards set to the same refresh rate (75mhz). My Main is a P4 with a Radeon 9800pro, and the other is a P3 with a Radeon 9200SE. Anybody have any experience with KVM's and display problems?

 

Nobody else uses a KVM switch? Am I abnormal? Ummm, don't answer that . . .

As a followup, I've not suffered any ill effects to my LCD by using the switch. I have since my original post changed my second PC, which I have switched out for a Celeron 1.8ghz with 768mb of 266mhz ram, and an Nvidia 5200 video card. I don't use the second PC much now (since my kids have moved out and I no longer play as many lan video games) - but in the last month I have been converting VHS tapes (home movies) for family using my main PC to crunch the video, and switching to the 1.8ghz to play online to kill time . . . and my LCD seems fine.

I think the local Tech-guru just had a bad LCD.

I'm not abnormal, am I? KVMs are normal, right? Yes?

 

Hmmm...we use KVMs ALLLLLL the time. I haven't had a single display (out of aproximately 6 that have been used) show any real signs of wear beacuse of it.

I can see where your tech is coming from however! Every time you switch channels, you are in effect turning the monitor off and then on again. Of course, this is when most wear would occur. Your monitor would be turning on and off an ABNORMAL number of times.

I think someone would have to test monitors extensively to have a definitive answer on that!

 

Thanks Mada Milty. I was thinking the same thing about the 'switching channels" a lot - that was the only area I could see there would be a problem. I have the screen resolution set the same for both PC's, and there is hardly a flicker when I bounce from one to the other.

Guess I'll just keep bouncing till something happens. I like my LCD, but at times having both PC's available is something I don't want to do without!

I'm also relieved that others use KVM's . . . I was getting worried! lol

 

We've got systems out in the field that have KVMs and LCDs, some are over 3 years old and none have given us any trouble, so don't worry.