keyboard53
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Is there a way to use a computer keyboard with an "AT" connector (5 pin) with USB equipment, i.e. a smart TV?
I have a vintage keyboard that is built like a tank, its housing is all metal, that I wish to use with my smart TV which has only a USB input port. Is there any way to allow this keyboard and my smart TV to communicate correctly? The keyboard is an IBM and the TV is made by Samsung.
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The IBM keyboard (made by IBM) that I have here uses a PS/2 connector. The big round connectors died 30 years ago.
ASKER
Thanks for all the comments and advice. I am waiting on adapters and will let you know how they work out.
ASKER
To all,
I received the adapters today. Unfortunately, my smart TV does not recognize that ANY keyboard is connected to it when I use the tank-link keyboard and the two adapters discussed above. However, I suspect that the PS/2 connector that was shipped (its green so it is probably for a mouse) instead of a purple one I need for my keyboard as Masq pointed out above.
I will order a purple keyboard adapter and let you know how that works. Thanks for all your suggestions so far.
I received the adapters today. Unfortunately, my smart TV does not recognize that ANY keyboard is connected to it when I use the tank-link keyboard and the two adapters discussed above. However, I suspect that the PS/2 connector that was shipped (its green so it is probably for a mouse) instead of a purple one I need for my keyboard as Masq pointed out above.
I will order a purple keyboard adapter and let you know how that works. Thanks for all your suggestions so far.
Thanks for the update. Unfortunately the more I read about Samsung Smart TVs the less optimistic I am about your project. Have you tried a basic USB keyboard with your TV just to check that the plan might work?
ASKER
To Masq,
I have used an Dell basic USB keyboard with my smart TV which works just fine. However, I like the sturdy older keyboard and its solid tactile feedback.
When looking for a purple keyboard connector, I ran across a cable with a male USB connector with a green mouse and a purple keyboard connector. Do you know if smart TV's can recognize more that one input device through its single USB port?
I have used an Dell basic USB keyboard with my smart TV which works just fine. However, I like the sturdy older keyboard and its solid tactile feedback.
When looking for a purple keyboard connector, I ran across a cable with a male USB connector with a green mouse and a purple keyboard connector. Do you know if smart TV's can recognize more that one input device through its single USB port?
Not for sure. Always worth a try though. The difference of course is that the Smart TV operating system and Windows handle hid device drivers differently.
The purple keyboard connector is a PS/2 connector (any I have / have seen), so I think it will only handle one device (only meant to).
ASKER
To John Hurst,
Forgive me but I don't understand your statement "so I think it will only handle one device (only meant to)".
Are you saying that the smart TV can handle only a single device at a time, i.e. either a keyboard OR a mouse?
Forgive me but I don't understand your statement "so I think it will only handle one device (only meant to)".
Are you saying that the smart TV can handle only a single device at a time, i.e. either a keyboard OR a mouse?
The question is really what does the smart TV expect from the USB port? You'll have to check the Samsung manual for that. I suspect that it expects a storage device rather than a keyboard or mouse. Again check the manual.
@dbrunton see #a42179008. Most Samsung SmartTV's support a USB Keyboard for their built in web-browser.
Of course the way an hid announces itself as a keyboard is going to vary and the trick I think we have to achieve here is both getting the cross-wired AT keyboard to announce itself as a generic USB version and at the same time map the key strokes correctly. Without the actual hardware in front of us we're still working with a big, fat "maybe" though :)
Of course the way an hid announces itself as a keyboard is going to vary and the trick I think we have to achieve here is both getting the cross-wired AT keyboard to announce itself as a generic USB version and at the same time map the key strokes correctly. Without the actual hardware in front of us we're still working with a big, fat "maybe" though :)
>> @dbrunton see #a42179008. Most Samsung SmartTV's support a USB Keyboard for their built in web-browser.
OK, so we need an intelligent PS/2 USB adapter. Not the green one that John Hurst recommended and I seconded. Mind not fully engaged. Whether the adapter that keyboard53 suggests will work is interesting ...
OK, so we need an intelligent PS/2 USB adapter. Not the green one that John Hurst recommended and I seconded. Mind not fully engaged. Whether the adapter that keyboard53 suggests will work is interesting ...
I understand your desire for an old keyboard - I liked them also.
But maybe it is time to use a modern keyboard that works better. Logitech makes these.
But maybe it is time to use a modern keyboard that works better. Logitech makes these.
ASKER
To John Hurst,
I hear you John regarding using current-technology keyboards and as such, I've been using a wireless Logictech keyboard and mouse for years with my computer.
Getting some use out of this older keyboard, which was just lying around, was/is just an interesting thought.
I will buy a purple PS/2 adapter as my last attempt at making this keyboard work and will let you know how that works out.
I hear you John regarding using current-technology keyboards and as such, I've been using a wireless Logictech keyboard and mouse for years with my computer.
Getting some use out of this older keyboard, which was just lying around, was/is just an interesting thought.
I will buy a purple PS/2 adapter as my last attempt at making this keyboard work and will let you know how that works out.
ASKER
Update:
I received my purple keyboard adapter, but my Samsung TV refused to recognize that my vintage keyboard was connected to it. So it appears that my keyboard is NOT an AT type and will require another approach.
Check out this link for a product that allows "F" type vintage keyboards to connect to USB devices:
I've checked with the seller, who says that a similar product will be available in "a few weeks" for XT style keyboards. Its price will also be $39.99.
That said, my logitech wireless K350 keyboard AND mouse will BOTH WORK SIMULTANEOUSLY with my Samsung TV. So that was very encouraging as a way to have two devices connected to the TV. The vintage keyboard then would just go back in the closet.
I received my purple keyboard adapter, but my Samsung TV refused to recognize that my vintage keyboard was connected to it. So it appears that my keyboard is NOT an AT type and will require another approach.
Check out this link for a product that allows "F" type vintage keyboards to connect to USB devices:
I've checked with the seller, who says that a similar product will be available in "a few weeks" for XT style keyboards. Its price will also be $39.99.
That said, my logitech wireless K350 keyboard AND mouse will BOTH WORK SIMULTANEOUSLY with my Samsung TV. So that was very encouraging as a way to have two devices connected to the TV. The vintage keyboard then would just go back in the closet.
So a modern keyboard is working then.
ASKER
Right. Here's the "missing link" from my first attempt at a comment:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/li ke/2716449 33588?ul_n oapp=true
Thanks to all for your information and recommendations.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/li
Thanks to all for your information and recommendations.
You are very welcome and I was happy to help.
That brings back memories ...
Yep. There were incompatibilities between the XT and AT keyboards. Some keyboards of that era could support both types. Usually a slide switch on the underneath to select the type of machine.