IOGear GCS1953 User manual

www.iogear.com
User Manual
3-Port 4K USB-C and DisplayPort
KVMP Switch with Power Delivery
GCS1953
PART NO. M1657

©2021 IOGEAR. All Rights Reserved. Part No. M1657. IOGEAR, the IOGEAR logo is trademarks of IOGEAR. Microsoft and
Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. IOGEAR makes no warranty of any kind with regards to the
information presented in this document. All information furnished here is for informational purposes only and is subject to change
without notice. IOGEAR. assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or errors that may appear in this document.

3
Safety Instructions 4
Conventions 6
Introduction 7
Package Contents 7
Features 8
Requirements 9
Operating Systems 9
Overview 10
Hardware Setup 14
Hotkey Operation 20
Keyboard Emulation 28
The Firmware Upgrade Utility 30
Specications Chart 36
Trouble Shooting 38
FCC Information 39
Limited Warranty 40
Contact Us 41
Table of Contents

4
Safety Instructions
■Read all of these instructions. Save them for future reference.
■This device is for indoor use only.
■Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the device.
■Do not place the device on any unstable surface (cart, stand, table, etc.). If the device
falls, serious damage will result.
■Do not use the device near water.
■Do not place the device near, or over, radiators or heat registers.
■The device cabinet is provided with slots and openings to allow for adequate
ventilation. To ensure reliable operation, and to protect against overheating, these
openings must never be blocked or covered.
■To ensure reliable operation, and protect against overheating, never cover the top of
GCS1953.
■The device should never be placed on a soft surface (bed, sofa, rug, etc.) as this will
block its ventilation openings. Likewise, the device should not be placed in a built in
enclosure unless adequate ventilation has been provided.
■Never spill liquid of any kind on the device.
■Unplug the device from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid or aerosol
cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
■The device should be operated from the type of power source indicated on the marking
label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your dealer or local
power company.
■Avoid circuit overloads. Before connecting equipment to a circuit, know the power
supply’s limit and never exceed it. Always review the electrical specications of a
circuit to ensure that you are not creating a dangerous condition or that one doesn’t
already exist. Circuit overloads can cause a re and destroy equipment.
■The device is designed for IT power distribution systems with 230V phase-to-phase
voltage.
■To prevent damage to your installation, it is important that all devices are properly
grounded.
■The device is equipped with a 3-wire grounding type plug. This is a safety feature.
If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact your electrician to replace
your obsolete outlet. Do not attempt to defeat the purpose of the grounding-type plug.
Always follow your local/national wiring codes.
■Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord or cables. Route the power cord and
cables so that they cannot be stepped on or tripped over.
■If an extension cord is used with this device, make sure that the total Ampere ratings
of all products used on this cord does not exceed the extension cord Ampere rating.
Make sure that the total of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed 15
Amperes.
■To help protect your system from sudden, transient increases and decreases in
electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or un-interruptible power
supply (UPS).

5
■Position system cables and power cables carefully; Be sure that nothing rests on any
cable.
■Never push objects of any kind into or through cabinet slots. They may touch dangerous
voltage points or short out parts resulting in a risk of re or electrical shock.
■Do not attempt to service the device yourself. Refer all servicing to qualied service
personnel.
■If the following conditions occur, unplug the device from the wall outlet and bring it to
qualied service personnel for repair.
o The power cord or plug has become damaged or frayed
o Liquid has been spilled into the device
o The device has been exposed to rain or water
o The device has been dropped, or the cabinet has been damaged
o The device exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need for service
o The device does not operate normally when the operating instructions are followed
■Only adjust those controls that are covered in the operating instructions. Improper
adjustment of other controls may result in damage that will require extensive work by a
qualied technician to repair.
■Do not connect the Audio Jack connector marked “UPGRADE” to a public
telecommunication network.

6
This manual uses the following conventions
Monospaced Indicates text that you should key in
[ ] Indicates keys you should press. For example, [Enter]
means to press the Enter key. If keys need to be
chorded, they appear together in the same bracket
with a plus sign between them: [Ctrl+Alt].
1. Numbered lists represent procedures with sequential steps.
•Bullet lists provide information, but do not involve
sequential steps.
→Indicates selecting the option (on a menu or dialog box, for
example), that comes next. For example, Start →Run means
to open the Start menu, then select Run
Indicates critical information
Conventions

7
The GCS1953 3-Port USB-C and DisplayPort Hybrid KVMP™ Switch combines KVM
switch with DisplayPort video interface, one USB-C device and 2-port USB 3.1 Gen 1 hub.
The DisplayPort interface provides 4K DCI @ 60 Hz resolution that displays the most vivid
high-denition images available while producing premium sounds. In addition, the GCS1953
provides USB-C device power delivery 3.0 standard for power supply to the USB-C device.
The GCS1953 allows users to access two DisplayPort computers and one USB- C device
from a single USB keyboard and USB mouse. In addition to the front panel pushbuttons,
remote port selector, and mouse port-switching functionality, the GCS1953 o󰀨ers hotkeys to
help switch ports and congure device settings. A Power On Detection feature also ensures
that if one computer is powered o󰀨, the GCS1953 will automatically switch ports to the next
powered-on computer.
With a built-in USB 3.1 Gen 1 hub, the GCS1953 provides SuperSpeed 5 Gbps transfer
rates to all connected USB peripherals. The unit’s independent (asynchronous) switching
feature, allows the KVM focus to be on one computer while the USB peripheral focus is on
another computer. This eliminates the need to purchase a separate USB hub or stand-alone
peripheral sharer – such as a print server, modem splitter, etc.
Featuring an unbeatable combination of ultra high 4K resolutions, a next generation USB
3.1 Gen 1 hub and enhanced, user-friendly operations, the GCS1953 delivers the latest
innovations in desktop KVM switching technology.
Introduction
GCS1953
• 1 x 3-Port USB-C and DisplayPort KVMP Switch with Audio
• 2 x DisplayPort Cables
• 2 x USB Type-A to Type-B Cables
• 1 x USB Type-C Cable
• 3 x 3.5mm Audio Cables
• 1 x 6 ft. Remote Port Selector
• 1 x Power Adapter
• 1 x Quick Start Guide
• 1 x Warranty Card
Package Contents
Note:
When utilizing the Power Delivery 3.0 feature with a compatible Type C Laptop, please
connect the included power adapter.

8
• One USB keyboard, mouse and one DisplayPort monitor control two DisplayPort
computers, one USB-C device and share two USB peripherals
• Provides USB Power Delivery 3.0 for USB-C device charging up to 45W¹
• Supports superior video quality – up to 4K DCI (4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz)
• Computer selection via pushbuttons, hotkeys, mouse², and remote port selector
• Built-in 2-port USB 3.1 Gen 1 hub with SuperSpeed 5 Gbps data transfer rates
• Supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode) which enables the USB connection to
carry DisplayPort signals
• Supports Console keyboard emulation/bypass feature
• Supports Console mouse emulation/bypass feature
• Independent switching of KVM, USB peripheral, and audio focus³
• Multilingual keyboard mapping – supports English, Japanese, French, and German keyboards
• DisplayPort 1.2 compliant; HDCP 1.4 compliant
• Supports HD Audio³
• Power on detection – if a computer is powered o󰀨, the GCS1953 automatically switches to
the next powered-on computer
• DisplayPort Dual-Mode technology (DP++) supports HDMI and DVI signals via a
DisplayPort-to-HDMI/DVI DP++ adapter⁴
• Hot pluggable – add or remove computers without powering down the switch
• Sun and Mac keyboard support and emulation⁵
• Auto Scan Mode for monitoring all computers
• Firmware upgradeable
• Supports N-key Rollover⁶ (NKRO) – permits collision-free keying
• Bus-powered⁷
Note:
1. A power adapter is needed on the GCS1953 for USB-C device charging to work.
2. Mouse port switching is only supported under mouse emulation mode with a USB 3-button
mouse wheel.
3. HD audio through DisplayPort channel cannot be switched independently.
4. DisplayPort Dual-Mode technology (DP++) does not require an active adapter for most
single display setups. Active DisplayPort adapters are recommended if you are unsure of
the video source’s DP++ compatibility.
5. PC keyboard combinations emulate Mac keyboards. Mac keyboards only work with their
own operating system.
6. N-key Rollover supports up to 15 simultaneous keystrokes.
7. The unit can be bus-powered by the connected KVM sources via USB ports. See
Powering the Unit, page 18.
Features

9
Console
• One DisplayPort monitor capable of the highest possible resolution
• A USB mouse
• A USB keyboard
• Speakers
Computers
The following equipment must be available on each computer:
• One DisplayPort port
• A USB Type A port
• An audio port
USB-C Device
The following equipment must be available on the USB-C device:
• A USB-C port
• An audio port
Note:
For video output to work through a USB-C port, the device must support DP Alt Mode.
Cables
To guarantee video quality, we recommend using only IOGEAR DisplayPort KVM cables
which are certied by the VESA Compliance Program.
Note:
The quality of the display is a󰀨ected by the quality of the cables.We recommend the total
length from the source to the monitor to not exceed 3 meters (1.5 meters between the PC
and the KVM switch. 1.5 meters between the KVM switch and the monitor). If you need
additional cables, please contact your dealer to purchase IOGEAR approved cables.
If you are using DisplayPort cables that are only DP 1.1 compliant, make sure the
DisplayPort EQ setting of the monitor is set to auto or DP 1.1.
Requirements
Operating Systems
Windows, Mac, and Linux

GCS1953
3-Port 4K USB-C and DisplayPort KVMP
1 2 3
10
Front View
Overview
No. Component Description
1 Remote Port
Selector Jack
The Remote Port Selector plugs in here.
2 Audio Jack Your main console speakers plug in here
Note: The speakers plugged into this jack have priority over
those plugged into the rear panel.
3 USB 3.1 Gen 1
Peripheral Port
USB peripherals (printers, scanners, drives etc.) plug into this
port. This USB 3.1 Gen 1 port features 5 Gbps data transfer
rates for compatible USB peripherals.
1 2 3

USB
4K304K60 USB USB
PD 3.0
CPU 2CONSOLE CPU 3 CPU 1
11
Rear View
1 2 34
5 6 7 8
No. Component Description
1Grounding Terminal The grounding wire used to ground the switch attaches here.
2 4K Resolution
Switch
Switches between 4K60 and 4K30 resolution for USB-C
device connected to CPU 3.
4K60: The CPU 3 provides 4K @ 60Hz resolution and USB
2.0 data transfer rate.
4K30: The CPU 3 provides 4K @ 30Hz resolution and USB
3.1 Gen1 data transfer rate.
3 Console Ports The cables from your keyboard and mouse plug in here.
Each connector is marked with an appropriate icon to indicate
itself.
4 USB-C Port The cables that link the switch to your USB-C device plug in
here. This KVM port section is comprised of a speaker jack,
and USB-C connector.
5 Power Jack The power adapter cable plugs into this jack.
6 Audio Jack Your console speakers plug in here.
Note: The speakers plugged into the front panel have priority
over those plugged into this jack.
7 USB 3.1 Gen 1
Peripheral Port
USB peripherals (printers, scanners, drives etc.) plug into this
port. This USB 3.1 Gen 1 port features 5 Gbps data transfer
rates for compatible USB peripherals.
8 KVM Ports The cables that link the switch to your computers plug in
here. Each KVM port section is comprised of a speaker jack,
USB Type B port and one DisplayPort connector.

1 2 3
12
No. Component Description
1 LED Status
Panel
The LEDs will light to indicate its mode and status:
Audio KVM USB
KVM
• Lights DIM ORANGE to indicate that the computer attached
to the corresponding port is connected (online).
• Changes to BRIGHT ORANGE to indicate that the computer
attached to its corresponding port is the one that has the
KVM focus (Selected).
• Flashes to indicate that the computer attached to its
correspond- ing port is being accessed under Auto Scan
mode.
• All LEDs ash together to indicate Firmware Upgrade Mode
is in e󰀨ect.
USB
Lights GREEN to indicate that the computer attached to its corre-
sponding port is the one that has access to the USB peripherals.
Audio
Lights GREEN to indicate that the audio is being outputted from the
corresponding port(s).
Top View
1
2

13
2 Port
Selection
Pushbuttons
For manual port selection (see Manual Switching, page 17):
• Press a switch for less than two seconds to bring the KVM,
USB hub, and audio focus to the computer attached to its
correspond- ing port.
• Press a port selection pushbutton for longer than two
seconds to only bring the KVM focus to the computer
attached to its corre- sponding port.
• Press a port selection pushbutton twice to bring the audio
focus to the computer attached to its corresponding port.
• Press port selection pushbuttons 1 and 3 simultaneously
for 2 seconds to start Auto Scan Mode (see Auto Scanning,
page 21).
• Press port selection pushbuttons 2 and 3 simultaneously for
2 seconds to perform a Keyboard/Mouse reset. (see USB
Reset, page 23).
Buzzer Behavior
Sound Description
1 beep • Changing port
• Activating auto-scan mode
• Pausing/resuming auto-scan
1 long beep • Powering on the unit
• Resetting the unit
2 beeps • Interrupting auto-scan
• Entering keyboard emulation o󰀨 mode
• Finishing USB synchronization
Refer to Buzzer Control on page 24 if you wish to turn the buzzer on or o󰀨.

14
Hardware Setup
1. Important safety information regarding the placement of this device
is provided on page 4. Please review it before proceeding.
2. To prevent damage to your installation from power surges or static
electricity. It is important that all connected devices are properly
grounded.
3. Make sure that power to all the devices you will be installing has
been turned o󰀨. You must unplug the power cords of any computers
that have the Keyboard Power On function.
Cable Connections
To set up your installation, refer to the installation diagram on the following page
(the numbers in the diagram on page 16 correspond to the steps below), and do the
following:
1. Ground the GCS1953 by connecting one end of a grounding wire to the Grounding
Terminal and the other end to a suitable grounded object.
Note: Do not omit this step. Proper grounding helps to prevent damage to the unit
from power surges or static electricity.
2. Plug your USB keyboard and USB mouse into the USB console ports from the
Console Ports Section located on the unit’s rear panel.
3. Plug your monitor into the DisplayPort console port from the Console Ports Section
located on the unit’s rear panel and power on the monitor.
4. Plug your speakers into the Audio Jacks located on the unit’s front and rear panel.
The speakers plugged into the front panel have priority over those plugged into the
rear panel.
5. Using the DisplayPort cable, plug the DisplayPort connector into any available
DisplayPort port on the KVM Ports Section of the switch (CPU 1 and CPU 2), then
plug the USB 3.0 cable and audio cable into their corresponding ports.
Note:
○Verify that all the connectors are in the same KVM Ports Section (all in CPU 1,
all in CPU 2.).
○The unit can be bus-powered by the connected KVM sources via USB ports.
See Powering the Unit, page 18.
6. At the other end of the cables from step 5, plug the DisplayPort cable, USB 3.0
cable, and audio cable into their respective ports on the computer. Repeat steps 5,
and 6 for other PC systems you are installing.
7. Using the USB-C cable, plug the USB-C connector into the USB-C port on the
KVM Ports Section of the switch (CPU 3), then plug the audio cable into its
corresponding port.
8. At the other end of the cables from step 7, plug the USB-C cable and audio cable
into their respective ports on the USB-C device.
Note: For video output to work through a USB-C port, the device must support DP
Alt Mode.

15
9. Switch the 4K Resolution Switch to set a 4K resolution between 4K60 and 4K30
for USB-C device connected to CPU 3.
a. When the switch is set to 4K60, the CPU 3 provides 4K @ 60Hz resolution and
USB 2.0 data transfer rates.
b. When the switch is set to 4K30, the CPU 3 provides 4K @ 30Hz resolution and
USB 3.1 Gen1 data transfer rates.
10.(Optional) Plug your USB peripherals into the front or rear USB 3.1 Gen 1
Peripheral Ports.
11. (Optional) If you choose to use the remote port selector, plug its cable into the
Remote Port Selector Jack, located on the unit’s front panel.
12.Plug a power adapter into an AC power source, then plug the power adapter
cable into the switch’s Power Jack.
Note:
○The unit can be bus-powered by the connected KVM sources via USB ports.
See Powering the Unit, page 18.
13.Power on the computers and USB-C device.
Note:
○To ensure reliable operation, and protect against overheating, never cover the
top of GCS1953.
○ By default, the switch links to the rst computer that is powered on.
○The total cable length from the PC to monitor (including KVM) cannot exceed
3 meters.
○Choosing high quality cables helps to ensure that 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 @ 60
Hz) or 4K DCI (4096 x 2160 @ 60 Hz) resolutions can be reached.
○It is highly recommended that the GCS1953 is kept powered on at all times.
○Make sure the computers and devices that the GCS1953 connects to are also
properly grounded.

Installation Diagram
4K
GCS1953
3-Port 4K USB-C and DisplayPort KVMP
1 2 3
USB
4K304K60 USB USB
PD 3.0
CPU 2CONSOLE CPU 3 CPU 1
16
1
11 4 10
2
9
3
12 410 7
8
5
6

17
Operation
Port Switching
There are four convenient methods to switch between the computers: Manual – by pressing
the port selection pushbuttons on the front panel, Mouse – by clicking the scroll wheel of the
mouse, Hotkey – by entering combinations on the keyboard, and Remote Port Selector – by
pressing the remote port selector button.
Manual Switching
For manual port selection:
• Press and release a port selection pushbutton to bring the KVM focus, plus the USB
and Audio focus, to the computer attached to its corresponding port.
• Press and hold a port selection pushbutton for more than 2 seconds to bring the KVM
focus to the computer attached to its corresponding port. The USB and Audio focus
does not change – they stay with the port that they are already on.
• Press a port selection pushbutton twice to bring the audio focus to the computer
attached to its corresponding port.
• Press and hold port selection pushbuttons 1 and 3 for more than 2 seconds to start
Auto Scan Mode (see page 21 for details).
• Press and release either port selection pushbutton to stop Auto Scan Mode. The
KVM focus goes to the computer attached to the corresponding port of the switch you
pressed.
• Press and hold port selection pushbuttons 2 and 3 for more than 2 seconds to perform
a Keyboard/Mouse reset (see page 23 for details).
Mouse Switching
For mouse port selection: Double-click the scroll wheel of your USB mouse to cycle through
the ports.
Note:
• Mouse switching is only supported by USB 3-key scroll wheel mice.
• Mouse switching is disabled by default. See Hotkey Setting Mode (HSM), page 22, to
enable mouse switching.
• Mouse switching is only supported when Mouse Emulation is enabled.
Hotkey Switching
For Hotkey port selection: All port switches from the keyboard begin by pressing the Scroll
Lock key twice. Regarding details of the Hotkey parameters, see Hotkey Operation, page 20.
Remote Port Selector Switching
For Remote Port Selection: Press the remote port selector button to cycle through the ports.
Make sure the remote port selector is plugged into the Remote Port Selector Jack.

18
Hot Plugging
The GCS1953 supports USB hot plugging – components can be removed and added back
into the installation by unplugging their cables from the USB hub ports without the need to
shut the unit down.
Powering the Unit
It is strongly recommended that you connect the power adapter to the GCS1953. A fully
powered unit allows you to have the keyboard, mouse, and USB peripherals fully operational.
If you do not connect the power adapter, please see the table below for the di󰀨erent scenarios
and features you will have available at the time.
Power Source(s) Powered Device and Function
2 x PC¹ Keyboard, Video, and Mouse
1 x USB-C Device² Keyboard, Video, Mouse, and USB Peripherals.
2 x PC
1 x USB-C Device²
Power Adapter Keyboard, Video, Mouse, USB Peripherals, and USB-C device
charging.
Note:
1. Connecting at least two USB-B ports to KVM sources (e.g. PC) may allow normal
operation of the keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
2. If using the GCS1953 without the power adapter, please connect the Type-C device to a
power source of it’s own.
Powering O󰀨 and Restarting
If it becomes necessary to power o󰀨 the GCS1953 unit, before starting it back up, you must
do the following:
1. Shut down all the computers that are attached to the switch.
2. Unplug the switch’s power adapter cable.
3. Wait 10 seconds, then plug the switch’s power adapter cable back in.
4. Once the switch is powered up, power on the computers.

19
Port ID Numbering
Each KVM port section on the GCS1953 switch is assigned a port number (1 to 4). The port
numbers are marked (CPU 1, CPU 2, and CPU 3) on the rear panel of the switch (see page
11 for details).
The Port ID of a computer is derived from the KVM port number it is connected to. For
example, a computer connected to KVM port 2 has a Port ID of 2.
The Port ID is used to specify which computer gets the KVM, USB peripheral, and audio
focus with the Hotkey port selection method (see page 20 for details).
Alternative Manual Port Selection Settings
When Hotkey Setting Mode has been activated, pressing [S] will invoke the alternative front
panel pushbutton manual port selection functions, as explained below:
• Press a port selection pushbutton once to bring only the KVM focus to the computer
attached to its corresponding port.
• Press and hold a port selection pushbutton for more than 2 seconds to bring the
KVM, audio and USB focus to the computer attached to its corresponding port.
• Press a port selection pushbutton twice to bring the audio focus to the computer
attached to its corresponding port.
• Press and hold port selection pushbuttons 1 and 3 for more than 2 seconds to start
Auto Scan Mode, see page 21 for details.

20
The GCS1953 provides an extensive, easy-to-use, Hotkey function that makes it
convenient to control and congure your KVM installation from the keyboard. Hotkeys
provide asynchronous (independent) switching of the KVM, USB hub and audio focus. If
you wish, you can give one computer the KVM console focus, another the USB hub focus
and the other two the audio focus.
Port Switching
All port switches begin with tapping the [Scroll Lock] key twice. The tables below describe
the actions that each combination performs.
Note:
If using the Scroll Lock key conicts with other programs running on the computer,
the [Ctrl] key can be used, instead. See Alternate Port Switching Keys, page 22, for
details.
Cycling Through the Ports
Hotkey Action
[Scroll Lock] [Scroll
Lock] [Enter]
Brings the KVM, USB hub, and audio focus from the port that
currently has the KVM focus to the next port on the installation (1 to
2; 2 to 3; 3 to 4; 4 to 1).
[Scroll Lock] [Scroll
Lock] [K] [Enter]
Brings only the KVM focus from the port that currently has it to the
next port on the installation. The USB and audio focus remain where
they are.
[Scroll Lock] [Scroll
Lock] [U] [Enter]
Brings only the USB hub focus from the port that currently has it to
the next port on the installation. The KVM and audio focus remain
where they are.
[Scroll Lock] [Scroll
Lock] [S] [Enter]
Brings only the audio focus from the port that currently has it to the
next port on the installation. The KVM and USB hub focus remain
where they are.
Going Directly to a Port
Hotkey Action
[Scroll Lock] [Scroll
Lock] [n] [Enter]
Brings the KVM, USB hub, and audio focus to the computer at-
tached to the port corresponding to the specied Port ID.
[Scroll Lock] [Scroll
Lock] [n] [K] [Enter]
Brings only the KVM focus from the port that currently has it to the
next port on the installation. The USB and audio focus remain where
they are.
[Scroll Lock] [Scroll
Lock] [n] [U] [Enter]
Brings only the USB hub focus to the computer attached to the speci-
ed port. The KVM and audio focus remain where they are.
[Scroll Lock] [Scroll
Lock] [n] [S] [Enter]
Brings only the audio focus to the computer attached to the
specied port. The KVM and USB hub focus remain where they are.
Hotkey Operation