TCX MMR Integration with VDI

In our Deploying Thin Clients with VMware View KB, we discussed a high level thin client deployment scenario utilizing WYSE V10L thin clients.  As supplement to that KB, we wanted to extend the discussion with focus on an optional feature of the V10L, TCX Multimedia Redirection or MMR.

TCX MMR is one of two optional license features of WYSE's V10L (the other being TCX USB Virtualizer.)  TCX MMR enables multimedia streams to be decoded on the thin client, thereby freeing up processing power on the ESX host/cluster.  Without TCX MMR, video playback on a thin client can appear "choppy" and will produce a poor experience for the end user.  TCX MMR creates a native playback experience for the end user making the experience of video playback on a thin client no different than that a traditional desktop.  However, that said, TCX MMR does have some limitations with respect to its supported media formats.  At the current time, only the following formats are supported:

• MPEG-1
• MPEG-2
• MPEG-4-part2
• WMV 7/8/9
• WMA
• AC3
• MP3

WYSE has been diligently working on the expansion of this list, most notably with support of Flash.  In September of 2008, WYSE announced a strategic relationship with Desktone to bring full Flash support into TCX but thus far has not delivered.  With the exception of Flash support, the current supported media formats covers most of today's most popular video formats, and as such, we thought it important to cover TCX MMR configuration on the V10L.

TCX MMR Licensing

In order to use TCX MMR, you must purchase the optional TCX license from WYSE.  The license runs about $25 USD per thin client.  In exchange for your $25, WYSE will send you a 25 character license string that can be included into your wnos.ini to unlock the multimedia hardware acceleration features of the V10L.

1. Edit the wnos.ini file to include the 25 character TCX MMR license
   
   
   
   
2. Save the wnos.ini file and reboot the V10L
   
   
3. Verify your TCX license by accessing the TCX License manager on the V10L
   
   
   

   
   

    

Guest Installation

The second part of the configuration remains with the virtual machine's guest operation system. VMware Tools must be installed with the "Wyse Multimedia Support" option enabled.

For New Installations:

1. From within the Virtual Infrastructure Client, right click the guest image and select "Install/Upgrade VMware Tools" from the menu
   
   
   
   
2. The VMware Tools wizard should auto run from within the guest operating system.  Click "Next" to continue
   
   
   
   
3. From the Setup Type screen, select "Custom" and then click the "Next" button
   
   
   
   
4. Select the "Wyse Multimedia Support" option and complete the install.
   
   
   
   

For Existing Installations:

1. From Windows Add Remove Programs, select "Change" on VMware Tools
   
   
   
   
2. Click "Next" on the VMware Tools wizard screen
   
   
   
   
3. Click "Modify" on the Program Maintenance screen and click "Next"
   
   
   
   
4. Select the "Wyse Multimedia Support" option and complete the install.
   
   
   

Testing TCX MMR Functionality

1. Log in to your virtual desktop from a V10L
   
   
2. Play a compatible movie clip (using Windows Media player or the player of your choice)
   Note: You must also have the correct codec installed within the guest's OS to decode the video stream
   
   
3. If the stream is "choppy" check the following:
   
   Ensure the TCX Multimedia Key is valid:
   

   Break out of the guest from within the V10L using the "ctrl-alt-up arrow" key sequence Access the WYSE System Information Screen Ensure the Event Log displays a valid TCX Key

   
   Ensure the View MMR Policy is set to "Allow" in the View administrator console:
   
   

Enjoy the new Multimedia Support!

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