File server (2008R2) + HTPC (WHS 2011)?

[Psychor]

Hi,

I want to rebuild my file server and at the same time add some HTPC features. I was originally going to build two separate boxes but now I'm not so sure that I really need to do that. I'm now thinking of building a file server based on Server 2008R2 and running WHS 2011 in a virtual machine (VMware Server). I realize that I could just run WHS 2011 and be done with it but I don't want to go that route.

I'd like to be able to output audio & video from WHS 2011 (VM) via HDMI. The server boards I've looked at (Supermicro) have DVI but not HDMI. (1) What should I look out for if I buy a separate video card to add HDMI? I want to make sure that any card I buy plays nice with VMWare. Also, lets says that I want to do some video transcoding and have WHS 2011 (VM) handle it. (2) Would this be asking too much from a VM running within 2008R2?

Tentative File Server Parts: Intel Xeon E3-12xx; SUPERMICRO MBD-X9SCA-F-O; 16GB ECC Registered DDR3; Adaptec 6805 - RAID 10 /w 4-6 WD RE4 2TB drives; Intel EXPI9402PT 10/100/1000Mbps (Teamed); Network is Gigabit.

Thank you.

 

[Dangman]

I'd like to be able to output audio & video from WHS 2011 (VM) via HDMI. The server boards I've looked at (Supermicro) have DVI but not HDMI. (1) What should I look out for if I buy a separate video card to add HDMI? I want to make sure that any card I buy plays nice with VMWare.

Unfortunately, VM's don't have direct access to the GPU. So if you want the WHS to output video and audio directly through HDMI, don't put it in a VM.

With that said, check out Microsoft RemoteFX and see if it fits. But it doesn't seem to be working that well judging from this thread:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1595463

Also, lets says that I want to do some video transcoding and have WHS 2011 (VM) handle it. (2) Would this be asking too much from a VM running within 2008R2?

IMO, yes.