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VGA-DVI adapters (actually converters, as you need to do analog-to-digital) exist, they're just rather expensive.

http://www.networktechinc.com/vga-dvi.html

We have active USB repeaters. These cameras draw very little power. Some of the power is used to run the repeater.

Here's a list of some cheap ones you can use to 16 more feet: http://www.cyberguys.com/product-search/?keyword=usb+extender&gps=60

And here's your 1000-foot USB extender: http://www.networktechinc.com/extenders-usb.html

Again, my goal is thinking how cheap can we keep it so that if things go horribly wrong we just shrug and try again. I have conventional NTSC Lorex and Q-see systems plus some NTSC camera cards but they're a pain in the neck. If you already know computers the UVC USB webcams give so much more picture resolution for so much less money and annoying CMOS camera headaches.

Also, you can install an infrared spotlight. These cameras will pick that light up in the darkness, too (most any camera will).

Have fun!!

At those prices FireWire over fibre is not what I would call a consumer level device.

Your environment sounds like a single machine is not your entire problem. You may want to look at some of the console servers that are available. They are designed for what you are describing (I have used Digi before):

• Digi
• NTI
• ThinkLogical
• Raritan

Three reasons:

1. I've not had a desire for USB devices on my personal PC until recently; silly, but true. The Longview takes care of keyboard and mouse, and the Terk takes care of the sound. I've only had a USB CD burner (Plextor) for home in the past 2 months (been using it at work on the portable for a couple years now), and a USB hard drive in the past month.

2. When I first put this together, I took at face value the USB cable limit of 5m; I had no real incentive to dig deeper, since at that time I had nothing I wanted to run on USB.

3. Inertia; last I looked at it was almost 3 years ago.

Of course, now that you have prodded me a bit, I did a quick Google and found at least one device to push USB over CAT5 for 100' for roughly a buck or two a foot (one is at http://www.networktechinc.com/usbc5.html. Looks like it's time to run another cable!

*grin* - thanks for the prod!

To me it seems that you want basic a VGA splitting and sharing device independent of the the computer that uses just the VGA signal it selfs and send it from a single source to multiple destinations.

Try these links then.
NTI
QVS
Google, VGA Video Splitter

It's surprising to me that it seems most are talking about client/server apps, streaming, VNC, etc.

Anyway this reminded me of a setup we had in my high school CAD class. The teacher would use something similar for presentations, examples, and to just blank the screens so no one would be playing on the computers while he was lecturing. I can't remember the name of the one used but it was fully addressable allowing any node on the system to become the source and have it sent to any combination of other nodes.

If you were a cs major, I'd have to lecture you on trying google first...... beings you're into E. Here's the link.

Just for you.

A control center I know of uses KVM splitters from NTI http://www.networktechinc.com/. One mouse, one keyboard, four CPU's, four monitors. Can call any screen in the room up on a 72" projection TV.

A less drastic solution is to get keyboard, mouse, and monitor extension cables. (I got mine from here).

I pulled the baseboards off my walls, ran these into another room (actually underneath my bathtub in the process), and moved all of the heat and noise away. Only monitor hum remains.

Highly recommended.

I've been using a switch from Network Technologies that I've liked quite a bit.
I sprung $1k for an 8-port rack-mount version, but it's less money for other versions. The
reason I got it is that it's cross-platform and I don't have to give up my Sun type-5 keyboard.

Another possibility (expensive as well) is Cybex. They make cross-platform switches that switch not
only your keyboard, mouse and video, but also serial and audio.

Raritan and Rose Electronics are two other companies that are pretty good and get a lot of attention.