Initial inspection
The ATEN two-port CS1782 KVM comes in a nice bright box that highlights several key features, from its support of 2,560x1,600-resolution displays to 7.1-channel surround sound.
Naturally, you can connect and control two separate systems, and both are run from a single monitor, keyboard and mouse - kind of the point, really.
There's more of the same of the back, highlighting the device's support for dual-link DVI. Further, it shows several configuration options.
Taking the KVM switch out of the box reveals its smart and functional
appearance. In the centre you'll find the switches for selecting
between the two sources.
Each switch has an orange and a green LED associated with it. The orange LED representing the display source, and the green for the USB connection. The LEDs light up when a signal is detected and glow brighter when they are the active source.
At default, you switch video (and control) sources by tapping
the
appropriate source-button once. Pressing twice toggles the audio
source. Holding down the button lets you switch video, audio and USB
connections concurrently. Such an arrangement allows you to keep
playing music from one
system when working on another, or setup a transfer from a USB device
to a system, and switch over the display and audio without interrupting
the transfer.
A front-mounted USB 2.0 port makes quick connection of portable devices
easy,
and the audio connectors allow you to plug in additional headphones or
speakers.
The rear panel is where you find the core of the product - its connectivity. Each source has its own dual-link DVI, USB 2.0, and audio-jack-connectors. In addition, you'll find a rear-mounted US B2.0 port, power connection, and jack-connector for firmware upgrades.
The KVM is surprisingly petite. It also features soft silicone feet on both the top and bottom, presumably to prevent scratches when fitted on a shelf or rack.
Bundled with the KVM is a quick-start guide and user manual that clearly guides you through the device's operation. Further, you have a serial-to-jack cable for updating the firmware, and an adaptor to allow you to use a PS/2 keyboard and mouse.
We're not sure why ATEN would require a serial-to-jack interface for firmware upgrades - it seems as if it's an archaic method.
The bundling doesn't stop there, folks, because you also get two 1.8m cables containing the DVI, USB, stereo speaker, and microphone jacks, as well as two runs of 7.1-channel audio cables, but we'd prefer if the cables were better colour-coded.
The only cables you need to provide are ones to connect the KVM to your monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse - which you should already own.
