Beginning with Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 several improvements have been made to enhance
the audio and video playback experience in remote desktop sessions.

If the remote desktop client supports media player redirection (see requirements below) then the
multimedia stream is efficiently transported in the original compressed format within the RDP protocol.
By decoding this stream locally for display a lot of intensive server CPU processing gets off-loaded
to the client and the user will experience smooth  playback through Windows Media Player – even in full-screen mode.

SERVER REQUIREMENTS:

Microsoft offers this feature on the following server side operating systems:
. Windows 7 Ultimate
. Windows 7 Enterprise
. Windows Server 2008 R2 (only with Remote Desktop Session Host)

Note: Windows Server 2008 R2 has to be configured to allow audio and video playback.

With Thinstuff XP/VS Server installed, media player redirection is supported on the following additional server side operating systems:
. Windows 7 Starter
. Windows 7 Home Basic
. Windows 7 Home Premium
. Windows 7 Professional
. Windows Server 2008 R2 (also without Remote Desktop Session Host role)

CLIENT REQUIREMENTS:

The client computer has to run Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) 7.0 or better and the option for Remote audio playback.
(in the „Local Resources“ tab) must be set to „Play on this computer“ .

RESTRICTIONS:

When connecting to a 64-bit server you have to use the 64-bit version of Windows Media Player.
The Media Player in the task bar or start menu links to the 32-bit Windows Media Player binary – even on x64 systems !!

DRM-protected content will not be redirected through this mechanism.

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

Remote Desktop Services

63. Audio Capture