My first thought was a NAS with some kind of direct USB access. I don't think this is something that exists. It sounds incredibly difficult to implement, with such a narrow use-case that nobody has done it as a product.
Things like the raspberry pi can present as a USB mass storage device.
Maybe you could mount an external SSD to that, have the pi boot in "gadget mode".
Then network share the SSD, and mount it on the other machine as a NAS.
Or you could have the Pi copy the files to a NAS, or onto a shared drive on the other machine. This would probably require putting a button (and maybe a small display to show progress) to fire a script to initiate the transfer.
The thing about this is to be aware of the data rates.
I'm not sure what the atem requires.
Another way might be to use a USB switcher.
Something that very simply disconnects the attached USB device from the atem and attaches it to the other machine, at the touch of a button.
Maybe something like this.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CableDeconn-Bi-Direction-Delivery-Transfer-Converter-Black/dp/B092VHC166
(Not sure if this does data or just video)
Hi,
The above supposedly works, I haven't had the time to buy it and try it out. On the amazon link, there is contradictory info: on one section says not to use with a dock but elsewhere it says it will work.
This is considerably cheaper on New Egg. I am planning to get it next week and give it a try.
One thing that I believe will work is something similar to that works for mac
CableDeconn USB-C Type-C 8K Updated Switch USB 3.1 C Gen 2 Cable for Video Bi-Direction 8K@30Hz 4K@120Hz Power Delivery 100w 10Gbps Data Transfer Splitter Converter ¡ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092VHC166/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_8159PB9QQKMS4Q81CRFP
In combination with caldigit TS3
Same issue! Do you think this would work? -> CableDeconn USB-C Type-C 8K Updated Switch USB 3.1 C Gen 2 Cable for Video Bi-Direction 8K@30Hz 4K@120Hz Power Delivery 100w 10Gbps Data Transfer Splitter Converter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092VHC166/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_2C9NG34DAG686WJ825W7
Have you looked at/tried this? Im considering purchasing but would like to know if others have had luck.
I just picked up one of these after someone mentioned it in this sub like a week ago. Seems to work just fine with my USB-C dock (that contains a logitech receiver) and a couple of thunderbolt laptops (PCs).
https://www.amazon.ca/CableDeconn-Bi-Direction-Delivery-Multi-Function-Converter/dp/B092VHC166
> he USB-C switcher allow you to connect two USB-C sources to one USB-C display or connect one USB-C source to toggle between two displays
it's not just displays.
Falls jemand auch sowas sucht und nichts findet: Es gibt genau ein Produkt CABLEDECONN USB-C USB3.1 Typ-C 8K Switch Birichtung 8K @ 30Hz 4K @ 120Hz Power Delivery 100w 10Gbps Datenübertragung Splitter Converter USB 3.1 C Gen-2-Kabel nur für Video https://www.amazon.de/dp/B092VHC166/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_32ZV7PKDJBS30E47FESN
Amazon USA page for reference: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B092VHC166/
I ordered one to tear down and see what's inside :)
Thanks. Are you saying I would need one of these:
--- ONE USB-C Switch ---
and three of these:
--- THREE BI-DIRECTIONAL Apple TB3 <-> USB-C Adapter
?
Not true:
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B092VHC166
I have one and it works ok. Did not test with MacBook yet
Will work for USB-C, but not Thunderbolt. https://www.amazon.com/CableDeconn-Bi-Direction-Delivery-Transfer-Converter/dp/B092VHC166/
I believe https://www.amazon.com/CableDeconn-Bi-Direction-Delivery-Transfer-Converter/dp/B092VHC166/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=usb+c+switch&qid=1643822358&sr=8-5 has been mentioned a few times here.
This thing is essentially a tiny USB C KVM. The catch (especially from the description) is that it has most of the problems of cable extenders, but those shouldn't apply too much in this scenario as long as you don't use the longest possible passive USB C cables.
I believe that this type of bidirectional switch is the best that's currently available.
It only has a captive cable on one side and is bidirectional, so you can connect the captive side to your existing USB-C hub.
If you needed HDMI out instead of USB-C, this one has no captive cables except for its own remote switch. There are others with no captive cables but using HDMI output for the video.
The NFHK switch/splitter, like the CableDeconn, behaves like a full-featured USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 cable that supports video, data and power delivery, but it doesn't identify itself (through its e-marker chip) as a Thunderbolt cable so it doesn't work with Thunderbolt devices.
The product description of the CableDeconn switch/splitter is more explicit on this point.
If you used the NFHK switch/splitter with the CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub, the latter will function as a USB-C hub. I don't think the CalDigit supports MST so, as a USB-C hub, it won't handle 2 monitors. And since macOS doesn't support MST, even a USB-C hub that supports MST is useless.
What you need is a USB4/Thunderbolt 4 switch/splitter. It should be possible to design one, but I don't know of any. Maybe because there is not enough of a market yet.
You can still use the CalDigit with your two MacBook Pros, but you'll have to manually plug and unplug.😃
A year later, but I happened to stumble across this in my search: https://www.amazon.com/CableDeconn-Bi-Direction-Delivery-Transfer-Converter/dp/B092VHC166/ref=pd_lpo_4?pd_rd_i=B092VHC166&psc=1
I assume you’re stuck using seperate devices due to corporate policy? A thin client setup could be preferable if possible, where you remote in to either corporate network as required from a single device. If both organisations use something like Citrix, your life would be a lot easier.
Alternatively a local windows VNC setup to access one device from the other would also work well.
> Would a female to female USB-C adapter work and where can I source such a thing?
Lots of them on Amazon.
Will this work? No, probably not. Could always try though. I’d expect you won’t be able to get power/data and video to pass through.
Check out the Amazon Q&A, and the multiple warnings to not try to get this to work with a docking station.
> Is there a more graceful way to connect both
If you switch to a single monitor, something like this might work for you. I guess you could also have dual monitors with some adapters that convert two HDMI connections into one.
Not really graceful, but using a USB 3.0 switching hub for peripherals and seperate HDMI switches is also something that will work.
> As I have limited desk space, the laptops are off to the side, so awkward to get to.
You could consider a small shelf/tray mounted to the underside of your desk to store the laptops.
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
CableDeconn USB-C Type-C 8K Switch USB 3.1 C Gen… | $59.99 | $- | 3.7/5.0 |
^Item&nbsp;Info | Bot&nbsp;Info | Trigger
I have been looking at this switch, though the reviews seem pretty hit or miss.
For the switch, you could use the CableDeconn or Angusplay USB Type-C Switch.
It seems they only work with USB-C docks, but not with Thunderbolt docks. You'd better use very short cables to connect your laptops to the switch -> the USB-C dock -> your 4K 34” monitor.
In your case, a USB-C dock with lots of USB ports should do.
Have a tour on Amazon and pick the USB-C dock that fits your budget.😃
Since the Kensington SD4780P dock doesn't use USB-C DP Alt Mode, but USB and DisplayLink instead to drive the monitors, scenario 2 should work. The DisplayLink driver for the Mac won't be affected by adding the ATEN switch, since DisplayLink only uses USB to carry the protocol data.
Instead of the ATEN switch, you could use the cheaper CableDeconn or Angusplay USB Type-C Switch.
Your docking station is a pure USB-C 3.2 Gen2 one, it doesn't even use USB-C DP Alt Mode, so the CableDeconn USB Type-C switch https://www.amazon.com/CableDeconn-Bi-Direction-Delivery-Transfer-Converter/dp/B092VHC166/ should work, or this one, rebranded and cheaper: https://www.amazon.com/Angusplay-Bi-Direction-Switcher-Supports-Multiple/dp/B0986N3B73/
If your docking station is just USB-C, not Thunderbolt 3/4, maybe this CableDeconn USB Type-C switch could help: https://www.amazon.com/CableDeconn-Bi-Direction-Delivery-Transfer-Converter/dp/B092VHC166/
n4ru!!!! The god of ThinkPad hacking himself! bows
I am glad to be of service. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092VHC166 strangely today it's much cheaper on Canadian https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B092VHC166 check whether they ship to your location?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092VHC166 for a change, it's (much) cheaper in Canada. Weird.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B092VHC166 (or click the first link in Overview), also on Newegg, eBay - search by product "name" (e.g., type-c 8k switch
)