Currently,  I'm using a Windows desktop,  with lcd monitor. That desktop has another hdmi output that goes to my receiver,  then to my lcd TV. The xbmc machine (this machine)  accesses movies from unraid.

 

This works ok for me.  But having xbmc on a secondary monitor has it's disadvantages. E.g the secondary monitor has to be turned on in sequence,  such as lcd TV first,  switch to the correct hdmi input,  then power on the receiver,  before starting xbmc. Ignoring this sequence will cause xbmc to start on primary lcd monitor,  it will also cause havoc in audio such that hdmi audio won't be present.

 

This is just 1 of my TVs. I have 2 more that needs basic 1080p streaming, no need for surround audio.

 

With this in mind,  I was wondering if we can build 1 machine that can host 3 (cause I have 3 TVs :-)) xbmc instances (openelec). And still,  have room for another vm to use unraid. The benefits of this setup is to have xbmc vm connected to TV all the time. No htpc as a media streamer anymore. As soon as TV is turned on,  and switched to correct input,  it would be like xbmc is another channel on your TV. No wait time. Start watching.

 

The challenges in this scenario will be how to control individual instances of xbmc? I prefer using remote control rather than an android device.

 

I'd like to know your thoughts.

 

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Hello again. By the lack of responses,  does this mean this is not achievable? Or is this not a good idea?

 

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Okay since no one is giving this a go here are my thoughts.

 

It should be possible but difficult. You would need to a GPU for each VM for starters so that does make it harder. I'm assuming you are then going to run the HDMI over dual ethernet or something to get video there. Is that something like what you were planning.

 

If you run unRaid in a VM as well it depends on if you are going to add Raid cards as that will take up more PCIe slots.

 

Should be possible but I suspect not too many have tried it.

 

As an aside, having XBMC run on the second monitor constantly should be possible. I can't remember how but on my PC (win 9) I've set XBMC to always open and play on the left monitor.

 

Josh

Hi

 

I have a similar set up but using mediaportal on windows rather than xbmc.

 

I have my base unraid 6 in Xen mode running storage management. On top of this I have a win 7 vm that manages all my sat tuners and tv recording schedules.

 

Then I gave 2x windows 8 vms running as mediaportal clients. Each has a dedicated gpu passed through along with an it receiver, mouse and keyboard. I run a hdmi and USB cable to each of my TV points. A USB hub attaches the if receiver, keyboard and mouse.

 

Right now, I'm having an issue wherein I can run one of the mediaportal clients just fine but when I attempt to run both simultaneously, I get poor video playback. I've got a bottleneck somewhere I need to sort out but in principal, the idea is sound and should work for you in your set up as well.

 

Peter

 

 

 

 

Josh,

 

The hardware may be a bit difficult to find.  But I believe XBMC may not necessarily need pci-e x 16, x 8, x 4, or even x1 might work already.  So a motherboard with a combination of any of the type will do.  You are correct at saying 1 gpu per xbmc client. 

 

HDMI will be extended via cat5e cables.  Preferably usb also.

 

To meep and Josh,

 

Why I prefer this setup is because I don't want each TV to have their own media streamer (android box, raspberry pi, or even a full blown mini-itx pc) as streamer. 

 

meep, why did you create 2 Windows VMs as Mediaportal clients?

 

 

 

meep, why did you create 2 Windows VMs as Mediaportal clients?

 

Hi

 

Main reasons are;

 

1. I have 2x TVs in different rooms and wanted completely separate operation for each.

2. MediaPortal client runs on Windows only

3. My server has the capacity in terms of RAM, free slots etc.

 

Does that answer your query? Happy to expand further if not.

 

Thanks

 

Peter

 

Yes it does.  But I thought the primary reason would be so that you no longer need a client for each TV.

 

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OpenELEC will not work as it doesn't have the necessary kernel stuff required for Xen. It's more bloated but I've had success with XBMCbuntu. YMMV.

 

Happy tinkering.

I see.  In that case,  I think I lack the necessary knowledge to implement a complicated setup :-(

 

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Yes it does.  But I thought the primary reason would be so that you no longer need a client for each TV.

 

 

 

That too!

Don't forget the cost associated with HDMI to cat and the usb hubs, usb to ethernet adapters. It may all end up costing more than having a client.

 

Josh

I've just tried RaspBMC again after a year away and I'm mightily impressed. It's smooth as silk on all videos and the load times to wait for a video to start are only a fraction above that of my Arch host.

 

It won't run a heavy skin granted but Amber is very light and looks not too bad!

 

Give it a try, Pi's are so cheap you won't be disappointed if you feel that multiple xbmc guests is too complex. I'm moving away from having everything in one box for flexibility - there's no shame in it! It's fantastic when it works this stuff but I've found after about 10 months of doing it all that the quirks are a little too much for now.

@OP:

 

If you don't need simultaneous playback on more than one XBMC, it's probably easier to split the hdmi output (then deal with hdmi over cat5 or wireless hdmi if the distance permits) and extend the input (whether to use webui\smartphone app or infrared extenders).

This will also let you use a single xbmc database and not fuss with moving the sql database to a shared sql server.