PC Review Reviews Input Devices Aten CS62DU KVM


These are the components I used with the KVM that were common to both machines:

Samsung 22” 2232BW Shiny Black 2Ms Pebble widescreen monitor 1680x 1050 res.
Logitech G15 Gamer’s Keyboard.
Logitech G5 Gamer’s Mouse.

I haven’t used the audio facility as I’m switching between my main gaming machine which uses a 5.1 loudspeaker system and a media machine which sends audio out to a fairly decent Hi Fi System.

It’s perhaps worth mentioning here that if you have any USB peripherals these can be switched between machines by adding a USB hub to the black mouse socket on the CS62DU KVM.

Then simply plug in to the hub your mouse, a printer, a gamepad, a scanner, whatever. Then when you switch, these peripherals will switch with it. I was really quite fond of this function, being able to use, say, a scanner between two machines is a definite bonus.

Here’s a diagram from the user manual.

As well as using the remote switch to switch between computers the user can also use the keyboard. Tapping twice on scroll lock and hitting enter does the basic switch.

Apart from that, other commands will also:

1) Toggle only KVM components without audio.
2) Toggle only audio signals.
3) Auto scan facility where the KVM will toggle between machines at intervals in seconds set by the user.

Personally, I have yet to appreciate the advantage of that last function listed.

Update: Since this article was published it has come to my attention that some of the unique functions of the Logitech G15 keyboard will not work through this KVM switch.

Notably the Gaming macro keys and the LCD display.

The multimedia controls still work within Windows Media Centre; Windows Media Player and Nero 8 Studio. They do not work with latest version of Winamp though.

The Windows Button mute control still works as do the illuminated keys settings.

I would imagine the macro controls will also not work on the Logitech G11 keyboard which is basically a G15 without the LCD display.

The problem may or may not be unique to the G15 & G11 keyboards but be aware that other multi-function keyboards may also not work properly.

All other keys work well. Somewhat disappointing so please be aware of this setback before purchase.

Here’s some pix of the two systems I’m using the switch for.

System One, the media machine, with Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse setup and a BenQ 19” TFT Monitor.

System Two, showing Desktop of the other machine.

System Two showing it’s own desktop.

The remote switch.

And my media machine without Keyboard mouse and Monitor, just waiting for a nice big 32” TFT TV to go with it.