ATEN Display Port Console Converter - CV190

ATEN CV190 DisplayPort Console Converter

Overview

The ATEN CV190 is a DisplayPort console converter that bridges modern DP video sources to SPHD-15 KVM switch inputs — solving a common integration problem when workstations or servers ship with DisplayPort outputs but your existing KVM infrastructure expects the legacy SPHD-15 connector format. If you've upgraded hardware on a rack but aren't ready to replace the entire KVM switch infrastructure, the CV190 plugs that gap cleanly. It supports 1920×1080 at 60 Hz, which covers the full 1080p console requirement for virtually every server management and operations-center use case. One SPHD-15 male output connects directly to the KVM switch port; one DisplayPort source feeds in from the workstation or server side.

Key Features

• 1920×1080 @ 60 Hz Video Pass-Through: Full 1080p at 60 frames per second means console output is crisp and fluid — important when you're navigating BIOS screens, server OS installers, or KVM-switched desktops where latency or resolution drops are a real productivity drain. No downscaling, no interlacing artifacts at this resolution.
• SPHD-15 Male Output: The single SPHD-15 male connector mates directly with ATEN KVM switch console ports — no adapter chain, no intermediate cable required. This is the connector format used across ATEN's ATEN KVM switch lineup, so if your rack already runs ATEN switching hardware, the CV190 drops in without any cabling re-work beyond replacing the console cable end.
• Dual Power States with Slide Switch: A physical slide switch selects the power source. Green LED status indicates full USB + DisplayPort power (both sources active); orange LED indicates USB-only power mode. This lets you verify operational state at a glance without diving into software — useful in dense rack environments where you're troubleshooting from the front of the cabinet.
• Single Console Connection: One console connection per unit keeps the deployment model simple — one CV190 per DP source feeding one KVM port. For multi-port DP conversion needs, you deploy multiple units, each independently powered and switched.
• Non-Condensing Humidity Tolerance to 80% RH: Rated for environments up to 80% relative humidity (non-condensing), which covers most data center, server room, and operations center conditions. This isn't outdoor-rated equipment, but it handles the humidity range of a warm machine room without issue.
• Compact, Rack-Compatible Form Factor: Designed for rack integration — fits within the physical constraints of standard 1U rack console drawer environments. No bulky external power brick; power draws from USB, keeping cable management tidy in high-density rack accessory configurations.

Integration & Compatibility

The CV190 is purpose-built for the ATEN KVM ecosystem. The SPHD-15 male output is the standard connector for ATEN console ports, making this converter a direct fit for ATEN KVM switches that accept SPHD-15 console inputs. The DisplayPort input side accepts standard DP video from modern workstations, thin clients, or servers equipped with DP video output. Power is drawn over USB — no separate DC power supply needed, which simplifies cable routing in network racks and enclosures.

If your environment mixes DP and HDMI video sources across a shared KVM infrastructure, note that the CV190 handles DisplayPort specifically — HDMI sources require a separate converter. Plan your console cable types per-port before deployment to avoid a last-minute cable scramble in the rack.

The CV190 ships with a user manual (cv190-user-manual-w.pdf, updated May 2023), which documents the slide switch behavior and LED status codes in detail — worth reviewing before first install to confirm power sequencing expectations with your specific KVM model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What KVM switch connector does the CV190 output to?

A: The CV190 outputs a single SPHD-15 male connector, which is the standard console connector format used on ATEN KVM switches.

Q: What is the maximum resolution supported by the CV190?

A: The CV190 supports 1920×1080 at 60 Hz — full 1080p — which is sufficient for all standard server console and workstation KVM use cases.

Q: How is the CV190 powered?

A: Power is selected via a physical slide switch. The unit can run on USB power alone (orange LED) or on combined USB and DisplayPort power (green LED). No separate DC power adapter is required.

Q: Can the CV190 be used with HDMI video sources?

A: No. The CV190 is a DisplayPort-specific converter. HDMI sources require a different converter model designed for that input type.

Q: What humidity range is the CV190 rated for?

A: The CV190 is rated for 0–80% relative humidity, non-condensing — suitable for standard data center and server room environments.

Q: How many console connections does the CV190 support?

A: One. Each CV190 handles a single DisplayPort source to a single KVM switch console port. Deploy multiple units for multi-source conversion needs.

Ted Perry

The CV190 addresses a specific and common rack infrastructure problem: you've upgraded servers or workstations to DisplayPort video output, but your KVM switching layer still terminates in SPHD-15 console ports. Rather than replace an entire KVM switch stack, the CV190 bridges that gap at the cable level — one unit per DP source, powered from USB, outputting directly to SPHD-15. I've seen this exact mismatch in rack refresh cycles where hardware gets upgraded faster than switching infrastructure does.

Technical Highlights:

• 1920×1080 @ 60 Hz: Full 1080p at 60 frames per second is the ceiling here — adequate for console and desktop KVM use, but not a fit if your workflow demands 1440p or 4K console output. Know your resolution requirement before deploying.
• Slide-Switch Power Selection with LED Status: The physical slide switch and dual-color LED (green = USB + DP power, orange = USB only) give you a fast, tactile way to confirm operational state in a rack. No need to query software or pull a console session just to check if the converter is live.
• SPHD-15 Male Direct Output: The output connector mates directly with ATEN KVM console ports — no intermediate adapter. This is purposeful hardware designed for the ATEN switching ecosystem, not a generic DP-to-VGA adapter.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm your KVM switch model accepts SPHD-15 console inputs before ordering — while this is standard across ATEN's KVM line, mixed-vendor KVM environments may use different console connector formats.
• The CV190 is DisplayPort-specific. If your rack has a mix of DP and HDMI video sources feeding the same KVM, you'll need separate converter hardware for the HDMI ports — do not assume this unit handles both.

The CV190 is the right call for rack refresh projects at operations centers, NOCs, or data centers where the KVM switching layer is ATEN-based and new server hardware ships exclusively with DisplayPort video outputs. It's a targeted, no-software solution that keeps your existing KVM investment intact.