u/Legitimate-Roof8606

I have a Macbook Air, M2 2023 and a Caldigit TS3+ dock. It works well and I use the DP output into my DP input on my monitor.

I'd like to use a KVM to switch between my home and work macbooks, so I bought a UGreen KVM that has a USB-C input I'd use for my work mac ("PC1") and an HDMI + USB input ("PC2") I'd use for my home mac which I'd plug in to the DP and USB connections on my TS3+.

At the same time as ordering the KVM I ordered a UGreen Active DP to HDMI cable to go from the TS3+ to the KVM. The cable does not work - I tested it both going into the KVM and also direct into the monitor's (known good) HDMI input.

Caldigit say that the DP->HDMI cables must be active and UGreen are clear that this is an active cable so is there some other reason that it wouldn't work?

My BT internet contract has come to an end and it's time for me to look for a new broadband provider.

I have been considering Zen and when checking my postcode on their website I get an offer of 910Mbps (estimated) symmetrical with a minimum of 500Mbps download. Given that BT don't offer a symmetrical service(?), City Fibre don't operate in my postcode and Trooli do (my neighbour has them), I am assuming that the Zen service would use Trooli.

The downside as I see it is that there would be a 3rd party involved (a bit like BT internet + Openreach) which opens up the possibility of major miscommunications and cockups.

The plus side is that Zen seems to provide a good service generally, including IPv6, a decent bundled router (though I might get a Ubiquiti UDM or build an Opnsense router) and the static IPv4 mentioned above.

I'm wondering whether to go direct to Trooli, who also offer a static IP for £5 pm, where I can get the 900Mbps service for £30 currently - giving £35 total, which is comparable enough to Zen.

Is anyone aware of any reason to go with one over the other, technical or otherwise?