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The original was posted on /r/homeassistant by /u/HTTP_404_NotFound on 2025-02-25 14:37:41+00:00.
I wanted to see if I could take a cheap, no-name, chinese KVM switch and integrate it with home assistant using ESPHome.
The immediate use-case, is using it behind a JetKVM, to allow me to access all of the servers in my rack using a single IP KVM.
The reasoning:
- JetKVM / PiKVM = $$$
- Cheap HDMI / DP Switch = Cheap.
Given, this project was quite successful, the next step will be to integrate the KVMs in my office with Home Assistant. That- will work much better as my Office KVM has built in EDID emulation.
The lack of EDID emulation is why there is a delay when switching between computers. No EDID = Basically unplugging a monitor, and plugging into a different PC. EDID Emulation = MUCH smoother when switching inputs.
But- having my office KVM automated will be nice. Automatially switch to "Work" PC, Automatically switch to "Gaming/Personal" PC. etc. I can think of quite a few scene examples.
The actual process of hacking the KVM unit was pretty easy. Follow the traces, do a bit of ugly soldering, add a ESP.
A youtube short showing some of this process:
Anyways- Full write-up coming, complete with pictures, videos, esphome configurations, issues encountered, etc...