Introduction:

    2 Computers, 1 monitor, 1 keyboard, 1 mouse. That’s the basic concept of a KVM (stands for “Keyboard, Video, Mouse), they are incredibly common in server farms, computer repair shops and people with limited money, or space or both. While it is more common for a home user to have a KVM that only connects 2 computers to one monitor, there are some that can connect 8 or more, and others that can even use dual monitors.

Personally, I’ve thought about getting a KVM a lot of times over the years. A few years ago, I couldn’t really justify a KVM as I only had one computer. I have since rectified this problem *cough*.

The other problems that I had with most KVM switches, is that almost all of them use outdated inputs. I don’t know about you, but I have 2 computers that are completely devoid of PS/2 connectors. It has also been more than 2 years since I jumped into the mysterious DVI connector bandwagon over VGA.

There are quite a few different KVM’s that have either USB, or DVI, but far fewer have both. The 1762 is Aten’s KVM that falls into that small group.

The box

Features

What it is

Features (Taken from Aten’s website)

• Control two computers from one DVI monitor, one USB keyboard, one USB mouse console.

• Computer selection via front panel switches, and Hotkeys.

• Supports transfer rates of 1.5/12 Mbps。

• Fully compliant with the USB specification .

• Auto scan mode for monitoring all computers.

• Buzzer On/Off via hotkey.

• Supports 1920 x 1200; DDC2B.

• Fully compliant with the DVI-Digital and DVI-analog specification.

• ATEN USB ASIC Inside.

• Bidirectional switching and flexible interoperatibility; switch permits independent PC, independent peripheral, and independent audio function, regardless of KVM Switch focus.

• OS Compatibility:WIN98\WIN ME\WIN 2K\WIN 2003\WIN XP\LINUX\Mac OS 8.6/9/10 and SUN Solaris 8/9.

  The OS compatibility list is of particular interest to me these days. I now use a Mac Pro as my main surfing/email/chat/odd-job machine. My Windows machine is where I do all my image editing, programming and high-end gaming. (I do use the Mac for some gaming, but I’m not about to go repurchase my old games just to play them on my new system)

Usb + DVI

Sardines!

The goodies

One thing that I have to deal with now that I have everything split between the systems like that, is the amount of extra time it takes when I want to switch to something different. Of course the whole point of having a KVM is to avoid needing to switch to a different keyboard and mouse. Which I did for a while, and would like to avoid in the future. 

Cables

Front

Rear view

Using Aten’s KVM, switching between the systems can be done using two methods. The first, is by simply pressing one of the switches on the front of the KVM. When just pressed quickly, the only thing that will be switched is the monitor focus. This is indicated by the orange LED on those same buttons.

USB+DVI #1

USB #1 DVI #2

USB+DVI #2

If the same button is held down for roughly 2 seconds, the monitor and USB input focus will be switched. A green light below the orange light shows the system that can use the USB ports on the KVM. While there is no visible indication, using the keyboard shortcuts, you can also switch the audio focus independently of anything else. (thankfully the manual has a good list of all the options possible)

When it does switch, it can take about 5-20 seconds to completely switch systems. Generally I have found a few differences between the Mac and PC (more accurately, OSX and Windows). It always takes longer to switch back to OSX.  This is even more noticeable if you have a screen saver turned on when you switch between the two. With Windows, as soon as it has focus from the USB devices and you move a mouse or hit a key, it will pop out of the screen saver and you are good to go. In OSX, it sometimes does things like squish the screensaver to the bottom right of the screen and then freeze up for 3-5 seconds before it will show the desktop. Even without the screen saver it will still mess with any open windows you have. I found that any programs I was running that were expanded to take up the whole screen (1600X1200) will only be taking up the bottom half of the screen when focus is returned with the KVM. Any chat windows will also be scrolled up and stop following the text as it is being written (a very annoying problem). This does not seem to affect any program that is actually using “Full-screen” such as games or when playing a movie.