virtualbox.org

Hello, excuse my ignorance on the subject, as im new to VM's and virtualbox. Im considering running a Windows Home Server (based on server 2003) Host with a Windows 7 or Windows Vista Guest. My question is what kind of graphics acceleration will be available to Windows 7 as a guest? Ive done some google research but have found somewhat vague or contradicting information.

Id like to:

- Play videos via PowerDVD 8 Ultra (DVD & Blu Ray)
- Play videos via VLC (.MKV, .divx, mp4, .mov, etc)

Im not really concerned with games, but is this possible too? Im mean like newer direct x 9/10 games?

Also is the above dependant on your video card? Is it possible to dual display, where WHS desktop is 1 screen and Virtualbox is full screen on a 2nd monitor?

May be possible, but not with the performance from the host. For multimedia native access to graphic card is the best solution. And that doesnt work in a VM.

Video playback can be done, but if you want to play anything HD, like BluRay, you're better of playing it on the Host because it would require a lot of processing power. With the proper video card (anything recent enough, like a year, maybe two, old at most), you can use it's hardware decoding capabilities. Check the specs of the card first. Don't think that a new Geforce 7950 can decode HD video, only the 8 series and newer can do that. No idea about ATi or others.