304 lines
12 KiB
Markdown
304 lines
12 KiB
Markdown
# Guide to Intel ARC AV1 Encoding on Unraid + Tdarr Node Killer + SAB Speed Control (Bonus)
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**Want to help?** Click the ★ (Star) button in the upper-right corner!
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This guide shows you how to optimize your media library with AV1 encoding on Unraid, while also managing GPU resources between Plex and Tdarr. You’ll learn how to shrink your video files, save a ton of storage space, and automatically free up your GPU for Plex users. On top of that, we’ll show you how to use a simple script to pause Tdarr when Plex needs the GPU, then restart Tdarr when Plex is done.
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**This guide covers:**
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- Getting your Intel ARC GPU set up on Unraid.
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- Encoding videos to AV1 for huge space savings.
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- Dynamically managing your Tdarr node so Plex always has priority.
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- Backing up and restoring configurations.
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- Troubleshooting common issues.
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Whether you’re an Unraid pro or new to the platform, we’ll walk you through it step-by-step.
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**BONUS:** Use the SAB Speed Script to control the speeds of SABNZBD when others are watching from your server. Why? If your server is downloading MAXED OUT, it will fight the users attempting to watch from your PLEX Server. The script will slow down DL speeds so your bandwidth is freed up for the users. Script also contains a NIGHT Speed to MAX out speeds (if you want) when your not using the Internet. The script can be found [Here](sab_speed_control.sh) and requires Tautulli for Plex Monitoring
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<img width="483" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b04d53b1-9d5d-42ab-ab33-2ac2dd2449b0">
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---
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## Table of Contents
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- [Data Savings with AV1 Encoding](#data-savings-with-av1-encoding)
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- [AV1 Drawbacks](#av1-drawbacks)
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- [Upgrading to Unraid 7.0 and Installing Required Plugins](#upgrading-to-unraid-70-and-installing-required-plugins)
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- [Installing Intel GPU TOP Plugin](#installing-intel-gpu-top-plugin)
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- [Installing GPU Statistics Plugin](#installing-gpu-statistics-plugin)
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- [Deploying Plex with Intel ARC GPU Support](#deploying-plex-with-intel-arc-gpu-support)
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- [Adding the Intel ARC GPU to the Plex Docker Template](#adding-the-intel-arc-gpu-to-the-plex-docker-template)
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- [Configuring Plex Settings](#configuring-plex-settings)
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- [Verifying GPU Transcoding](#verifying-gpu-transcoding)
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- [AV1 Tdarr Flow](#av1-tdarr-flow)
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- [What is the AV1 Flow?](#what-is-the-av1-flow)
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- [Importing the AV1 Flow in Tdarr](#importing-the-av1-flow-in-tdarr)
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- [Optimizing AV1 Encoding Settings](#optimizing-av1-encoding-settings)
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- [Tdarr Node Killer Script](#tdarr-node-killer-script)
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- [Overview](#overview)
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- [Script Behavior](#script-behavior)
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- [Step-by-Step Implementation for Unraid](#step-by-step-implementation-for-unraid)
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- [Script Behavior After Plex Transcoding Stops](#script-behavior-after-plex-transcoding-stops)
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- [Troubleshooting Common Issues](#troubleshooting-common-issues)
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- [Experimental: Running the Script on Other Operating Systems](#experimental-running-the-script-on-other-operating-systems)
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- [Step-by-Step Implementation for Other OSes](#step-by-step-implementation-for-other-oses)
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- [Backup and Recovery Tips](#backup-and-recovery-tips)
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- [Summary](#summary)
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---
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## Data Savings with AV1 Encoding
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With AV1, you can drastically reduce storage usage. In tests with three Intel ARC GPUs, just encoding 10-15% of a large library saved about 37TB! For a 300TB collection, AV1 could potentially bring it down to 75-100TB.
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<img width="438" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/1543f745-828f-47ba-86b2-9ddd5b9d189c">
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In short, AV1 can save you tons of space and costs.
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---
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## AV1 Drawbacks
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AV1 isn’t perfect. Some devices can’t handle it natively yet, and the encoding process might be slower or more resource-intensive. For more details, check out the [AV1 Drawbacks](https://github.com/plexguide/Unraid_Intel-ARC_Deployment/wiki/AV1-Drawbacks) page.
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---
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## Upgrading to Unraid 7.0 and Installing Required Plugins
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Before setting up AV1 flows or using the Tdarr Node Killer Script, make sure you’re on Unraid 7.0 (or newer) and have the proper plugins to manage and monitor your Intel ARC GPU.
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### Installing Intel GPU TOP Plugin
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Install **Intel GPU TOP** by ich777 from the Unraid Community Apps. This lets you monitor your Intel ARC GPU’s performance directly in Unraid.
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### Installing GPU Statistics Plugin
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Install the **GPU Statistics** plugin by b3rs3rk for detailed GPU usage stats. With these two plugins, you’ll easily confirm that your GPU is being used when encoding or transcoding.
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Once installed, you can see real-time GPU usage:
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---
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## Deploying Plex with Intel ARC GPU Support
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### Adding the Intel ARC GPU to the Plex Docker Template
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In your Plex Docker template, add the Intel ARC GPU as a device. Without this, Plex won’t know it can use your GPU.
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### Configuring Plex Settings
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Enable GPU transcoding in Plex and, if needed, HDR tone mapping. If you have multiple identical GPUs, Plex lists them in order. Make sure you select the correct one.
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<img width="1020" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/2ed05f55-ee92-4011-9f6f-99c24b5d1a3f">
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### Verifying GPU Transcoding
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Play a file that needs transcoding. Check Plex’s dashboard and GPU stats. If the GPU is doing the work, you’ll see less CPU usage and a smooth playback experience.
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---
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## AV1 Tdarr Flow
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Change Log:
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* v1: Original
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* v2: Remove B Frames
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* v3: Improved Quality Greatly
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* v4: Added remove image from files, this would cause about a 25% failure rate for your files to transcode. Adding this allows a 100% conversion rate for AV1.
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**JSON Script**: This script can be found [Here](av1_flow_v4.json).
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<img width="824" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/54e5b72c-5f88-4264-a01c-833a8d67287c">
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### What is the AV1 Flow?
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The AV1 Flow is a preset in Tdarr that converts your media to AV1. It’s straightforward: input → process → encode → output. This is where you get those huge file-size savings.
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### Importing the AV1 Flow in Tdarr
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Import the provided AV1 Flow JSON into Tdarr. Then apply it to your libraries so Tdarr will start using your Intel ARC GPU for AV1 encoding (if configured).
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Scroll to the very bottom:
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Paste the JSON:
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Once applied, Tdarr will begin shrinking your files to AV1 format.
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---
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## Optimizing AV1 Encoding Settings
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Experiment with quality (CRF) and bitrate settings until you find a good balance between file size and video quality. Also, ensure hardware acceleration is on so the GPU does most of the heavy lifting.
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---
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## Tdarr Node Killer Script
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**Change Log**
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* v1: Original Script
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* v2: Script monitors PLEX via Tautulli to simplify processes
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### Overview
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This optional script frees up the GPU for Plex whenever Plex needs it. If Tdarr and Plex share the GPU, Tdarr might interfere with streaming performance. With this script:
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- When Plex starts transcoding: the script stops the Tdarr node, giving the GPU to Plex.
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- When Plex stops: after a short cooldown (e.g., 180 seconds), the script restarts Tdarr.
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**SCRIPT**: The Tdarr Node Killer script can be found [Here](tdarr_node_killer.sh).
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### Script Behavior
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The script uses Tautulli’s API to detect when Plex is transcoding:
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- If Plex is transcoding: kill the Tdarr node.
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- After Plex stops, wait the cooldown period, then bring Tdarr back online.
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This prevents rapid start/stop cycles if Plex users jump in and out often.
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### Step-by-Step Implementation for Unraid
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1. Tdarr node running, no Plex transcoding:
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2. Script monitoring for Plex transcoding:
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<img width="615" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a0ebab4e-e178-4de3-87f7-00e749cfa6cd">
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3. Plex user starts transcoding:
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4. Script detects Plex transcoding and stops Tdarr node:
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<img width="655" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8b9b0cdc-9084-48ed-a1c0-b00e32f51dc6">
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5. Tdarr node is completely stopped:
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### Script Behavior After Plex Transcoding Stops
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The script doesn’t instantly bring Tdarr back up. It waits, say 3 minutes, to ensure Plex isn’t going to start transcoding again immediately.
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1. Countdown before restarting Tdarr node:
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2. After the wait, Tdarr node is restarted:
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<img width="611" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7ca1d8b0-efac-44ab-9701-24ef525f33c7">
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3. Tdarr node fully online again:
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### Troubleshooting Common Issues
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- Plex not using GPU? Check your Docker template and Plex settings.
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- Tdarr not restarting? Ensure the script and Tautulli API are working correctly.
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- High CPU usage? Check if HDR tone mapping is enabled and supported. Also verify GPU drivers and plugins are up-to-date.
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---
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## Experimental: Running the Script on Other Operating Systems
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You can run this script on other Linux distros that support Docker and systemd. The process is basically the same: place the script, create a systemd service, and start it up.
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### Step-by-Step Implementation for Other OSes
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1. **Save the Script**: Save your Tdarr Node Killer Script as `tdarr_node_killer.sh` in `/usr/local/bin/`.
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```bash
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sudo nano /usr/local/bin/tdarr_node_killer.sh
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```
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2. **Set the Proper Permissions**:
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```bash
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sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/tdarr_node_killer.sh
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sudo chown root:root /usr/local/bin/tdarr_node_killer.sh
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```
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3. **Create a Service File**: Create a service file for the script:
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```bash
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sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/tdarr_node_killer.service
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```
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4. **Add the Following Content**:
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```ini
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[Unit]
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Description=Tdarr Node Killer Script
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After=network.target
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[Service]
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Type=simple
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ExecStart=/bin/bash /usr/local/bin/tdarr_node_killer.sh
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Restart=on-failure
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[Install]
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WantedBy=multi-user.target
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```
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5. **Reload Systemd**:
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```bash
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sudo systemctl daemon-reload
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```
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6. **Start and Enable the Service**:
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```bash
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sudo systemctl start tdarr_node_killer.service
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sudo systemctl enable tdarr_node_killer.service
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```
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This ensures the script runs automatically and manages your GPU resources even if you’re not on Unraid.
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---
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## Backup and Recovery Tips
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Before making changes:
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- Backup Plex configs (metadata, watch history, etc.).
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- Backup Docker templates so you can quickly restore containers.
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- Backup your Unraid flash drive so you don’t lose your server setup.
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Test your backups occasionally to ensure they work when you need them.
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---
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## Summary
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By setting up AV1 encoding with Intel ARC GPUs, you can achieve massive storage savings and still maintain great quality. Adding the optional Tdarr Node Killer Script ensures Plex always has priority access to the GPU when needed. With careful tuning and a bit of experimentation, you can streamline your server’s performance, reduce storage costs, and keep everyone happy with smooth, high-quality streams.
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**Found this useful?** Consider clicking the star (★) button at the top!
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