VMDirectPath and HTPC's

[lizardking009]

This obviously wouldn't be a supported solution in any way, shape, or form, but I've been thinking....

I currently have 4 HTPCs in my house - they're used strictly for playing back content from a server and from Hulu. VMDirectPath enables one to map a PCIe card directly to a VM. I was thinking of doing this:

1 gamer motherboard w/4 PCIe x16 slots (assume VMDirectpath supported chipset)
8gb RAM
quad core cpu, VT capable
low end PCI video card for the console
4x ATI blu-ray capable cards with support for HDMI audio (lowest end cards possible)
storage of some sort
HDMI distribution hardware

load ESXi 4.0 plus 4 Vista VMs and map a video card to each instance.

I could also use a different simpler board and something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131177

Obviously, I'd be giving up a lot of redundancy from having multiple playback PCs, but I think it has a shot at working. Thoughts?

 

[J-Will]

It has the potential to work, however I only know that VMDirectPath works with USB devices. I was unaware that it will work with PCIe cards of any type.

Also, how do you plan on controlling the VM to select content if the physical machine is in another room.

 

[lizardking009]

It has the potential to work, however I only know that VMDirectPath works with USB devices. I was unaware that it will work with PCIe cards of any type.

There's a short list of tested devices here. Seems like there is a reasonable variety, so far.
http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/esx40_vmdirectpath_whitebox_HCL.php

The LSI 1068e is an interesting option for someone wanting to run ZFS in an ESXi VM, but I digress.

Also, how do you plan on controlling the VM to select content if the physical machine is in another room.

USBAnywhere USB over TCP/IP devices. The rooms are wired for Ethernet already.

 

[DeChache]

I like this idea. I've been wanting to try something like this at home. Maybe it is time to replace my old server with something i7 based.

 

[sabregen]

So you would map each HDMI capable GPU for playback/offload purposes to a VM (potentially)? Then what...run shielded HDMI cable all over the place to the various TVs? I'd rather run cat5e in the walls than HDMI, but to each his own. No idea if this would work, but certainly an interesting idea.

To facilitate the control of the VM, you can just set up the VM to have VMC port turned on. This is facilitated in the options menu in the VM configuration pages, but requires the installation of VMware Tools to work (if configured through VMware interfaces). Otherwise you can just install a VNC server in listening mode on each VM.

 

[nitrobass24]

Well that all sounds like it would work.

The only thing I would worry about is the HDMI distribution.
If you have any runs over 50ft you are going to want to use some sort of amp/repeater.
Also you will need to get a 4x4 matrix switch.Which can be pricey. If you dont have long runs Monoprice has a 4x4 thats relatively inexpensive.

I am interested to see how this goes.

 

[lizardking009]

So you would map each HDMI capable GPU for playback/offload purposes to a VM (potentially)? Then what...run shielded HDMI cable all over the place to the various TVs? I'd rather run cat5e in the walls than HDMI, but to each his own. No idea if this would work, but certainly an interesting idea.

Yes, that is my thought.

There are HDMI to Cat5e converters available, as well as an HDMI to TCP/IP device available.

http://www.justaddpower.com/vmchk/VBS-Suite-for-High-Definition/View-all-products.html

 

[lizardking009]

Well that all sounds like it would work.

The only thing I would worry about is the HDMI distribution.
If you have any runs over 50ft you are going to want to use some sort of amp/repeater.
Also you will need to get a 4x4 matrix switch.Which can be pricey. If you dont have long runs Monoprice has a 4x4 thats relatively inexpensive.

I am interested to see how this goes.

This project is still in the floating around in my head stage. I too worry about HDMI distribution. The JustAddPower device that I linked above interests me, but I don't like the networking configuration.

My other hope is that PCoIP takes off a little more and work with that technology on this project instead.

 

[halcyon]

Resurrecting an ancient thread, I was thinking about doing something similar but just integrating an existing single HTPC into a new file server. Did you ever get this working? There is an interesting thread here: http://communities.vmware.com/thread/297072?start=0&tstart=0 but other than the obvious compatibility problems I worry about video/audio stutter, and whether HDCP for things like Blu-ray would actually work.