Many PC enthusiasts play video games and do regular computing on the same machine, and we all know that the more software you add, the more cluttered and unstable your computer becomes. Imagine batching up a bunch of videos for compression, and then getting online for some fragging without any slowdown or distractions.
This dream can become a reality with a good KVM (Keyboard, Video, and Mouse) switcher, which allows you to have two or more computers connected to only one keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Until very recently, KVM switches were so expensive that only IT professionals and companies with big budgets could afford (or need) one. Prices have come down considerably, and new features are being added to entice the average comptuer user.
Historically, KVM switches have been relatively light on features, but now they come with DVI video, USB 2.0, and even audio switching support. ATEN introduces their CS1782 dual-DVI USB 2.0 KVMP switch, which should entice PC gamers and media enthusiasts with its Dual-link DVI support and 7.1 audio switching capabilities. Now PC enthusiasts can instantly switch between a seperate gaming or media computer with very little hassle.
ATEN’s CS1782 Dual Link DVI KVMP switch sets a new standard in KVMP functionality by adding three major innovations.
Display technology reads and remembers your monitor’s optimal display settings (E-DDC), thereby eliminating display problems when simultaneously booting or switching between computers. With support for resolutions up to 3840 x 2400 you can enjoy the full capabilities of your wide screen monitor.
7.1 sound support provides a fully immersed audio experience for listening pleasure, gaming, or audio editing.
In keeping with the proliferation of high speed devices, the CS1782 provides two USB 2.0 peripheral ports for sharing USB devices between your computers. A powered USB hub may be attached for added expansion.
Switching computers is merely a matter of pressing a manual button, or by a few Hotkey strokes entered directly from the keyboard. The hotkeys allow for independently switching audio, KVM focus, and peripherals (start a big print job or back up on one computer, play a game on the other while waiting for it to finish).
Setup is as easy as disconnecting your existing cables and connecting the CS1782. There is no software to install, and it is compatible with virtually all USB compliant operating systems.
Save money time and space, share one monitor, keyboard, mouse, speaker system, and set of peripherals between two computers. No more using the “wrong” keyboard or mouse, no more moving cables between computers, not to mention the number of speakers involved.
The CS1782 comes complete with all cables including 7.1 audio, it supports Apple 20″, 23″ and 30″ Cinema Displays, Apple special function keys, and has an unprecedented 7 year limited warranty.
Features:
- Superior video quality:
- Built-in High-Speed 2-port USB 2.0 Hub
- Independent (Asynchronous) switching of KVM and peripheral USB/Audio ports
- Surround Audio enabled
- Support widescreen resolutions
- Sources selection via front panel pushbuttons or hotkeys
- Multiplatform support: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Linux, MAc, and Sun
- Display Emulation Technology – the KVM switch reads and remember the monitor’s information for error-free booting
- Sun/Mackeyboard support and emulation
- Auto Scan Mode for monitoring all computers
- Firmware upgradeable
Inside the box are a plethora of cables (two sets of 7.1 audio cables, two sets of DVI/USB/mic/stereo cables, a 9-pin to 1/8″ jack serial cable, a 13W power adapter, a Quick Start Guide, a paper manual, and the KVMP switch itself.
The cables look of great quality, even if they aren’t gold-plated like other premium audio/video gear. The DVI cables are very thick with shielding, and have the USB, microphone, and front speaker lines permanently attached. One end is intended to go to the KVM (the side with the B-type USB connector), and the other end connects to your PC (the side with the more familiar A-type or “flat” USB plug). The other audio cables (blue, grey, black, and orange) are a seperate cable, which is good to keep everything modular. All cables come with end protectors, and the audio cables have grey rubber caps on them (a very nice touch, but tend to make the back a bit cluttered).
The switch is rather attractive, having an aluminum metal housing with tough plastic endcaps. The front of the unit has a set of Computer A and Computer B buttons (which integrade status LEDs), a front microphone jack, a front headphone jack, and a single USB 2.0 port.
The back of the unit is where most of the unit’s connectivity takes place. Going from left to right, the rear panel has a Firmware Upgrade jack (which takes the included special serial cable), a DC in plug. You probably never need to upgrade the unit’s firmware, but if you do, keep in mind that it must be upgraded using a 9-pin serial port, which do not exist on most modern computers today.
Next is the “Console” section, which you connect the output monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, and and any other USB devices that are to be shared across your computers. The top row of this section has blue, grey, black, and orange audio jacks, which correspond to industry-standard coloring of sound cards (line in, side L/R, Rear L/R, Center/Bass). The bottom row has a pink Microphone jack, green Front L/R jack, and DVI connector. The DVI connector is dual-link, so it supports large monitors that have monster resolutions like 1900×1200 and above.
The next section is the CPU-2 area, which is where you connect your secondary computer’s parts. On the top row is a standard set of audio jacks (blue, grey, black, and orange) and a USB 2.0 port (a “B” type port that looks almost squarish). On the bottom row is a pink Mic and green front speaker jack, and a DVI connector. The next section is the “CPU 1” area, which copies the layout of CPU-2.
The media features of the CS1782 lend itself towards the PC gamer, but I found that using gaming-grade peripherals have a few caveats when using this KVM switch.
Installing any KVM switch adds a little complication to your setup, and it is easy to become slightly confused. First you need to determine the best location for the KVM switch. Sitting right underneath my 28″ monitor would have been perfect, but the very short 3′ power cord disagreed. Even it the power cord were long enough (or I used an extension), then the relatively short 6′ monitor/USB/audio cables would not reach my computer sitting by the side of my desk, anyway. So, the ATEN switch resides on the right side of my desk, between the monitor and PCs.
Since I already had my main PC connected, it’s best to go ahead and attach these cables to the “out” section of the KVM switch. Once this was done I connected the DVI, USB and mic cables to CPU 1, and then plugged them into my main PC.
I figured I better make sure the switch was working at this point, else I would be in for some major troubleshooting. I turned my PC and the switch ON, and I could see my BIOS screen! When Windows Booted up, the resolution was set to a standard 1280×1024. No problem, I figured, I’ll just change it back.
My widescreen monitor was not recognized, and therefore I did not have high resolutions available. I went into Display properties and disabled “only show resolutions that this monitor supports”, which did give access to more resolutions, but they were all in the 4:3 aspect ratio. The monitor was detected as a “Generic PnP”. Instead of going through the hassle of installing and tweaking custom monitor-tweaking software, I searched for the INF of my particular monitor, a Hanns-G HG281D. Once I installed the INF, my monitor was detected and all of my resolutions were back and everything worked perfectly.
The “out” ports has a USB connection for keyboard, mouse, and “USB” (where other USB devices can be plugged in). I figured USB is USB, so I left my Logitech Wave (reviewed here) and SteelSeries Ikari Laser mouse (reviewed here) connected to my USB hub. Big mistake.
The mouse was now extremely over-sensitive and erratic, and difficult to control. I unplugged and reinserted the mouse, but to no avail. Plugging the mouse into the “mouse” designated port did not help either. From testing the Razer Lycossa keyboard (reviewed here), I knew that the 1000Hz polling rate did not play with with USB hubs, so I figured the 500Hz setting of the Ikari was too much for the switch. I fired up the Ikari configuration tool, but the mouse was not recognized.
This was all due to the mouse and keyboard emulation technology of the switch, which I needed to disable. I pressed the special keyboard combination to enter “KVM Customization” mode, but nothing happened. I found out that the KVM only listens for these special key sequences on the “keyboard” USB port.
The switch has Mouse and Keyboard emulation, which is what keeps both computers thinking there’s always a mouse and keyboard constantly attached. This is the reason why there is a distinct “keyboard” and “mouse” designated USB plug.
You can change settings on the switch directly from the keyboard (like switching computers, toggling mouse emulation, etc), but these commands won’t be recognized unless your keyboard is plugged into the “keyboard” slot. Plugging a USB keyboard into a regular USB slot (or external hub) will work, but you won’t be able to access the switch’s commands (which can be very cool).
I love my Logitech Wave keyboard; in fact it has some of the most handy extra features of any keyboard in recent memory… but these features do NOT work when connected to the “keyboard” port. Plugging the keyboard into a generic port resumes the handy extra features (being able to eject a DVD from the keyboard is just awesome).
The solution is to turn mouse and keyboard emulation OFF (which just passes the signal straight through). You have to set this from the keyboard, so your keyboard must be connected to its assigned plug. To access the switches features, you do the following procedure:
- Hold down Numlock
- Press minus “-” on the keypad (the minus on the main area of the keyboard doesn’t work)
- Release minus
- Release Numlock
The switch will beep, meaning it’s ready to accept commands. The numlock and caps lock alternate back and forth letting you know that the KVM is waiting for a command.
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The F4 option is really really cool. If you want to see the current settings of the KVM, open up Notepad and make sure that window has focus. Then go into the KVM program mode (numlock + “-” + release), and then press F4. The KVM then begins to “type” into the Notepad window, one character at a time like the super-intelligent-super-computers-gone-mad in 80s movies. I almost expected it to ask me “Would you like to play a game?”.
As mentioned previously, my Ikari gaming mouse was acting erratically, no matter which port or setting I tried. Once I disabled mouse emulation, the mouse behaved as it normally did. Also previously mentioned, the extra functions of my keyboard do not work when plugged directly in the “keyboard” USB port. So I found myself changing the settings on the KVM, and then plugging the keyboard back into my external USB hub. The only function you would need to do “on the fly” is switching to the other attached computer, which can be done by the buttons on the KVM itself.
Long story short: if you have any keyboard or mouse with *any* special features, then you need to setup the KVM how you like and then disable mouse and keyboard emulation.
The ATEN CS1782 Dual-DVI KVMP Switch has an excellent build, and all the features a PC enthusiast would want in a KVM switch.
Itis very simple, but yet very complex at the same time. Inital setup can be quite confusing, and most likely you will run into weird caveats that must be overcome (if you have any gaming or media peripherals). Adding a KVM into your setup adds another level of complexity, but once it is set up properly, it is extremely easy to switch back and forth between computers.
The ATEN KVM switch is marketed towards gamers, but can be a little too “KVM”ish for the average gamer. Gamers will be very excited about the 7.1 audio switching, Dual-link DVI compatibility, and front audio and USB connections. But, they want their advanced gaming peripherals to work. They do, but it takes a little setup first.
Aside from the installation caveats, the only major complaint is that the power cable and DVI cables are too short. Sure, IT professionals usually have all of their test equipment sitting right on their desk right next to the KVM, so long cables aren’t needed. Most PC consumers have their computer on the floor, so an eight-foot cable should be the minimum.
KVM switches used to be extremely expensive, especially if you wanted features like USB or DVI, and multi-channel audio switching was unheard of until recently. Save yourself a lot of time and energy researching… the ATEN line of KVMP switches have all the multimedia features you are looking for. Looking online at the price of DVI-based KVM switches, you can see that many of them are around $200, but only give you stereo switching and look kinda flimsy. For about the same price, you can get an ATEN switch with a metal housing and 7.1 audio support.
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