HTPC build - Foxconn RM1-H2 or ESXi?

[gmui]

Hi,
I managed to get Windows Media Center up and running on my desktop (Dell XPS 8500) running Win 7 Ultimate and the Ceton 4 tuner PCIe card with Cablevision with an XBOX 360 as an extender. Now that everything is working and the wife approves, my next step is to move the components into either a standalone HTPC or attempt to virtualize the backend with an existing ESXi build that I'm primarily using for my NAS (OI/Napp-IT).

Was looking for any opinion on the following hardware to support 4 tuner DVR solution with up to 7 extenders for the whole house:

Foxconn RM1-H2 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856119062)
Intel G530 cpu
8 gigs RAM
2 or 3 TB internal hard drive (or maybe smaller drive and then move recordings to the NAS via script)
Ceton Quad tuner (PCIE)
Windows 7 / WMC

With the virtual approach, I can leverage existing hardware, more easily expand storage and save on getting a Windows license. With a standalone build, I can connect it to a TV directly and save on an extender. However, my biggest question on the standalone route is whether the embedded video of the RM1-H2 supports HDCP. Since I'm using the Ceton internal card, I can't add in a video card.

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[gmui]

Just as an update, I pretty much completed my first HTPC build based on the Foxconn RM1-H2 barebones machine. Here are the components:

Foxconn RM1-H2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856119062

Intel G530
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116409

Samsung 840 120gig SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147188

WD 3TB Red Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236344

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

Ceton InfiniTV 4 Quad-tuner Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815706001


Running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and Windows Media Center as my central server providing Live TV and DVR capability to XBOX 360s running as WMC extenders. Have 3 and looking to add as many as 4 more.

It did take some time getting it all together, but so far all the hardware is compatible and I've been able to tune into all of my cable channels (Cablevision) and and play back HD recordings directly off of the embedded video card, including HDCP protected material.

The biggest drawback so far that will take some more effort is to figure out how to quiet the machine. The power supply fan is the primary culprit and will need to either replace the PSU or move all the components to another case / PSU altogether. I've seen a mention of drilling out the PSU grill to reduce noise, but I'm not really into doing that kind of mod.

If anyone is interested in any further information, let me know.

 

[nqzero]

i'm having the same issue with the rm1-h2 psu being loud. it's a dsi250p. in theory, the fan is temperature controlled - but i'm having a hard time believing that ... the exhaust air is cool, and the fan is pretty loud (bedroom is 10x7 with hardwood floors)

here's the best info that i found on the psu
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cases/display/mini-itx-cases-roundup_9.html
the page isn't loading for me, so i used the google cache

have you had any luck making it quieter ?

i'm also having trouble with suspend to ram (i'm using linux). have you had any issues ?