Intel Arc B570 Hardware Transcoding Support - Timeline Request

Plex Media Server
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Hi Plex Team and Community,

I recently built a media server with an Intel Arc B570 GPU specifically for hardware transcoding, but I’m experiencing the same issues reported in the now-closed thread about Battlemage GPU support.

Hardware Configuration:

  • Server: TrueNAS SCALE (Linux kernel 6.12.15-production+truenas)
  • CPU: Intel (12 cores)
  • GPU: Intel Arc B570 (Battlemage G21)
  • Installation: Docker (plexinc/pms-docker:latest)
  • Driver: xe kernel module (i915 not supported for Battlemage)

Current Status:
:white_check_mark: Working correctly:

  • GPU detected: Intel Battlemage G21 [Intel Graphics]
  • Devices available: /dev/dri/card0 and /dev/dri/renderD128
  • All GPU firmware loaded (GuC, HuC, DMC)
  • Hardware acceleration enabled in Plex settings
  • Docker GPU passthrough configured

:cross_mark: Problem:

  • All transcoding falls back to CPU
  • Same VAAPI errors as previously reported

Error Logs:

Error — [FFMPEG] - libva: iHD_drv_video.so init failed
Error — [FFMPEG] - Failed to initialise VAAPI connection: 18 (invalid parameter)
Debug — Codecs: hardware transcoding: opening hw device failed
Debug — Could not create hardware context for hevc

Root Cause Analysis:
After investigating, I found that Plex is built against Intel Media Driver 24.1.5-3, but Intel Arc B570/B580 support wasn’t added until 24.3.4. This explains why the hardware works perfectly at the system level but fails in Plex.

Verification:

docker exec plex strings /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex\ Transcoder | grep intel-media-driver
# Returns: intel-media-driver/24.1.5-3/

Timeline Question:
In the previous thread (now closed), it was mentioned that “the transcoder rebuild is in progress and nearly complete” back in February 2025. Could we get an update on:

  1. Current status of the Intel Media Driver upgrade?
  2. Estimated timeline for release?
  3. Any blockers we should know about?

Many users have invested in Intel Arc B570/B580 GPUs specifically for Plex, and it would be incredibly helpful to know what to expect.

Additional Technical Details:

  • Host system has Intel Media Driver 24.4.4 working perfectly
  • vainfo shows full codec support (H.264, HEVC, AV1, VP9)
  • Docker container has proper group permissions (video/render)
  • All firmware files present and loaded

This isn’t a support request since I understand the technical limitation - just hoping for a timeline update on when Intel Arc B570/B580 support will be available.

Thanks for all the great work on Plex, and I’m happy to test any beta versions if needed!

Environment Details:

  • OS: TrueNAS SCALE
  • Virtualization: Docker
  • Clients: Web, iOS, Android, Smart TV
  • Browser: Multiple tested
  • Hardware Acceleration: Intel QuickSync Video (when supported)
  • Reverse Proxy: None
  • Networking: Host mode
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As previously stated:

  1. FFMPEG must first be updated (6.1 will be forum preview shortly)
  2. Intel Compute Runtime must be updated
  3. Intel Media Driver (which supports the card) must be updated

ICR and IMD will be updated after FFMPEG is production status.
I’ve no information from Engineering whether they’ll be updated together or separately. ( ICR and IMD updates always break something for the older systems, which will need a custom patch applied )

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