Aten CS1782 KVM DVI Switch

Aten, have you ever heard of them? If you haven't, it's not because they are a newcomer to the market place, as they actually have been around for nearly 30 years, but they focus all of their efforts on manufacturing KVM switch solutions. These KVM switches just aren't limited to simple multi-port analog switching, but they have a variety of enterprise-grade switches, IP-based switching, embedded solutions, HDMI switches, and many other products. One of Aten's newest products is the CS1782 DVI KVM Switch, which is designed for homes and small offices and has support for not only handling two systems with keyboard, mouse, and DVI monitor switching, but it goes beyond that to offer surround-sound audio and USB switching as well. In this review we are looking at the Aten CS1782 KVM DVI Switch.

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 remembers the monitor's information for error-free booting
- Sun/Mac keyboard support and emulation
- Auto Scan Mode for monitoring all computers
- Firmware upgradeable

Contents:

The Aten CS1782 ships with the needed cables used by the KVM switch. These cables include two sets of audio cables for surround sound and the other two sets of cables included the DVI cable, keyboard PS/2, mouse PS/2, and the standard audio cables. Also included was one keyboard/mouse PS/2 to USB adapter and the AC adapter. The Aten CS1782 supports an upgradeable firmware; however, to upgrade the firmware you must use the enclosed serial cable. Using the serial cable for flashing the switch's firmware is unfortunate and we would much rather it be a USB interface. All of these contents were packaged well and had arrived safely.