ATEN HDMI to DVI-D USB USB KVM Cable with Audio; 1,8M USB HDMI to DVI-D

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

At £34.25 ex-VAT, this is the kind of “small part that quietly prevents big annoyances” if your setup is already close to what it supports. It’s aimed at people using an ATEN KVM and needing the right connection between an HDMI video source and a DVI-D display, with USB for the KVM/control channel plus audio. In day-to-day terms: it’s worth it when you don’t want to play adapter roulette (HDMI-to-DVI adapters alone won’t solve the KVM/USB bit, and you end up with weird switching or no audio/control). If you’ve got the exact ATEN KVM model side that expects this lead, you’ll usually get a plug-and-work outcome.

I wouldn’t buy it if you’re just trying to add “HDMI to DVI” for a one-off monitor connection, because the USB/audio overhead is only useful in the specific KVM use case. Also double-check compatibility with your KVM (ATEN’s naming can be close enough to confuse you): if the KVM expects a particular wiring/layout, wrong leads can lead to missing audio or the USB not enumerating. For the right ATEN KVM owner, though, it’s good value—cheap compared to the time you’ll spend troubleshooting the wrong adapter chain.