Intros Backup Support Thread

[JsinFate 19]

In the last 2 weeks I've been getting an error when running intro backup manually or as a scheduled task.

Windows 11 24H2

Emby v4.8.10.0

Firefox v135

Ungoogled Chromium v132.0.6834.110 even Edge has the issue.

The task runs for about 10 seconds then gives an error. This is the message on the Dashboard  under the Alerts section:

Quote

Access to the path 'N:\TV\Attack on Titan\Season 01\Attack on Titan S01 E01.nfo' is denied. at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options) at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize) at System.IO.Strategies.OSFileStreamStrategy..ctor(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize) at System.IO.Strategies.FileStreamHelpers.ChooseStrategy(FileStream fileStream, String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, Int32 bufferSize, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize) at System.IO.FileStream..ctor(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share) at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Save(String filename) at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.CreateMarkersInNfo(String nfoFile, Int64 introStartTime, Int64 introEndTime, Int64 creditStartTime) at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.WriteInfoToNFO(BaseItem item, String seriesName, Nullable`1 seasonNumber, Nullable`1 episodeNumber, Nullable`1 episodeNumEnd, String tvdbId, String imdbId, String tmdbId, Int64 introStartTime, Int64 introEndTime, Int64 creditStartTime) at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.Execute(CancellationToken cancellationToken, IProgress`1 progress) at Emby.Server.Implementations.ScheduledTasks.ScheduledTaskWorker.ExecuteInternal(TaskOptions options)

Here is the error in my log:

Quote

2025-02-08 07:55:05.739 Error TaskManager: Error
	*** Error Report ***
	Version: 4.8.10.0
	Command line: C:\Users\Jsin\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system\EmbyServer.dll
	Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10.0.26100
	Framework: .NET 6.0.33
	OS/Process: x64/x64
	Runtime: C:/Users/Jsin/AppData/Roaming/Emby-Server/system/System.Private.CoreLib.dll
	Processor count: 24
	Data path: C:\Users\Jsin\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\programdata
	Application path: C:\Users\Jsin\AppData\Roaming\Emby-Server\system
	System.UnauthorizedAccessException: System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path 'N:\TV\Attack on Titan\Season 01\Attack on Titan S01  E01.nfo' is denied.
	   at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.CreateFile(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options)
	   at Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle.Open(String fullPath, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize)
	   at System.IO.Strategies.OSFileStreamStrategy..ctor(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize)
	   at System.IO.Strategies.FileStreamHelpers.ChooseStrategy(FileStream fileStream, String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, Int32 bufferSize, FileOptions options, Int64 preallocationSize)
	   at System.IO.FileStream..ctor(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share)
	   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Save(String filename)
	   at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.CreateMarkersInNfo(String nfoFile, Int64 introStartTime, Int64 introEndTime, Int64 creditStartTime)
	   at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.WriteInfoToNFO(BaseItem item, String seriesName, Nullable`1 seasonNumber, Nullable`1 episodeNumber, Nullable`1 episodeNumEnd, String tvdbId, String imdbId, String tmdbId, Int64 introStartTime, Int64 introEndTime, Int64 creditStartTime)
	   at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.Execute(CancellationToken cancellationToken, IProgress`1 progress)
	   at Emby.Server.Implementations.ScheduledTasks.ScheduledTaskWorker.ExecuteInternal(TaskOptions options)
	Source: System.Private.CoreLib
	TargetSite: Microsoft.Win32.SafeHandles.SafeFileHandle CreateFile(System.String, System.IO.FileMode, System.IO.FileAccess, System.IO.FileShare, System.IO.FileOptions)
	
2025-02-08 07:55:05.739 Info TaskManager: Intro & Credits Backup Failed after 0 minute(s) and 7 seconds

As I said this just started about 2 weeks ago, but I can't be completely sure.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you!

[JsinFate 19]

Is anyone else having issues?

[JsinFate 19]

Okay, I just installed a fresh copy of Windows 11 24H2 and restored my Emby server and settings. Uninstalled the plugin and reinstalled to test and I still get the same failure messages.

Is anyone still maintaining this plugin?

[hjason7812 34]

7 minutes ago, JsinFate said:

Okay, I just installed a fresh copy of Windows 11 24H2 and restored my Emby server and settings. Uninstalled the plugin and reinstalled to test and I still get the same failure messages.

Is anyone still maintaining this plugin?

Build a small truenas scale pc and put emby on that it runs amazing on that once you figure it out. And you won't regret it either 

[JsinFate 19]

The Emby installation runs fine, everything except this one plugin that just started throwing errors a couple of weeks ago.

[Neminem 1516]

Guess its safe to say the dev of this plugin is not active.

[JsinFate 19]

Thanks for the info. That's sad but I guess technically I don't really need it since I do regular Emby backups then a full back up periodically.

[rbjtech 5283]

The reason this Plugin existed in the first place - is because the Emby stored data for the Intro timings is stored as chapters and is therefore linked to the itemId, which is unique to that instance of Emby.

You couldn't therefore use those values on another instance (ie a recovered install built with new values) as the ItemId's would be different.   

Thus you need some way to 'link' them to other universal metadata - this plugin uses tmdb or tvdb values and/or saving to NFO files - allowing you to import them back.

Edited March 7, 2025 by rbjtech

[MAX92 91]

Hello, I try this plugin. Unfortunatly, not working for me : 

2025-04-18 09:37:44.322 Info Intros Backup-Backup: Plugin is in Premiere Trial Period - ONLY 14.16:22:15.6774641 days left - If you are already an Emby Premiere Subscriber ignore this

2025-04-18 09:37:44.322 Info Intros Backup-Backup: Getting Episodes in Library For Backing Up

2025-04-18 09:37:44.322 Info Server: http/1.1 Response 204 to host2. Time: 1ms. POST https://host1:8920/emby/ScheduledTasks/Running/345427b726a7714d822d081dfc6ae2a4?X-Emby-Client=Emby Web&X-Emby-Device-Name=Microsoft Edge Windows&X-Emby-Device-Id=38d34b26-351a-4951-a829-7447f45d3254&X-Emby-Client-Version=4.8.11.0&X-Emby-Token=x_secret3_x&X-Emby-Language=fr

2025-04-18 09:37:44.450 Error TaskManager: Error

*** Error Report ***

Version: 4.8.11.0

Command line: /volume1/@appstore/EmbyServer/system/EmbyServer.dll -programdata /var/packages/EmbyServer/var -ffdetect /var/packages/EmbyServer/target/bin/ffdetect -ffmpeg /var/packages/EmbyServer/target/bin/ffmpeg -ffprobe /var/packages/EmbyServer/target/bin/ffprobe -nolocalportconfig -ignore_vaapi_enabled_flag -pidfile /var/packages/EmbyServer/var/EmbyServer.pid -defaultdirectory /volume1/Public -updatepackage emby-server-synology72_{version}_x86_64.spk -noautorunwebapp

Operating system: Linux version 4.4.302+ (root@build5) (gcc version 12.2.0 (GCC) ) #72806 SMP Thu Sep 5 13:44:44 CST 2024

Framework: .NET 6.0.36

OS/Process: x64/x64

Runtime: volume1/@appstore/EmbyServer/system/System.Private.CoreLib.dll

Processor count: 2

Data path: /var/packages/EmbyServer/var

Application path: /volume1/@appstore/EmbyServer/system

System.NullReferenceException: System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.<>c.<Execute>b__36_0(BaseItem x)

at System.Linq.EnumerableSorter`2.ComputeKeys(TElement[] elements, Int32 count)

at System.Linq.EnumerableSorter`1.Sort(TElement[] elements, Int32 count)

at System.Linq.OrderedEnumerable`1.GetEnumerator()+MoveNext()

at System.Collections.Generic.HashSet`1.UnionWith(IEnumerable`1 other)

at System.Collections.Generic.HashSet`1..ctor(IEnumerable`1 collection, IEqualityComparer`1 comparer)

at System.Linq.Enumerable.DistinctIterator`1.ToList()

at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.Execute(CancellationToken cancellationToken, IProgress`1 progress)

at Emby.Server.Implementations.ScheduledTasks.ScheduledTaskWorker.ExecuteInternal(TaskOptions options)

Source: Intros.Backup

TargetSite: System.String <Execute>b__36_0(MediaBrowser.Controller.Entities.BaseItem)

 

2025-04-18 09:37:44.450 Info TaskManager: Intro & Credits Backup Failed after 0 minute(s) and 0 seconds

 

Do you know why ? 
Thanks a lot

[djtEtOcostarica 0]

Hola, yo comprar plugin y pagar con PayPal, mi mail de Emby es diferente a PayPal. Yo enviar mail a (daveybryce@hotmail.co.uk) explicando situación con mail que usar en cuenta Emby. Activar plugin por favor. Gracias!

Pdt.

Soy usuario Emby Premier ;D

Edited May 6, 2025 by djtEtOcostarica

[ricostuart 4]

Getting an error on my backup. What's the best way of figuring out what is causing it?

 

Intro & Credits Backup Failed on Emby Server
: Running time: 1 minute and 24 seconds
Unexpected end tag. Line 484, position 37.
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(String res, String arg)
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Int32 pos, String res)
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseDocumentContent()
   at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.ReadXmlFiles(String nfoFile)
   at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.WriteInfoToNFO(BaseItem item, String seriesName, Nullable`1 seasonNumber, Nullable`1 episodeNumber, Nullable`1 episodeNumEnd, String tvdbId, String imdbId, String tmdbId, Int64 introStartTime, Int64 introEndTime, Int64 creditStartTime)
   at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.Execute(CancellationToken cancellationToken, IProgress`1 progress)
   at Emby.Server.Implementations.ScheduledTasks.ScheduledTaskWorker.ExecuteInternal(TaskOptions options)

 

[ricostuart 4]

53 minutes ago, ricostuart said:

Getting an error on my backup. What's the best way of figuring out what is causing it?

 

Intro & Credits Backup Failed on Emby Server
: Running time: 1 minute and 24 seconds
Unexpected end tag. Line 484, position 37.
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(String res, String arg)
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Int32 pos, String res)
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseDocumentContent()
   at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.ReadXmlFiles(String nfoFile)
   at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.WriteInfoToNFO(BaseItem item, String seriesName, Nullable`1 seasonNumber, Nullable`1 episodeNumber, Nullable`1 episodeNumEnd, String tvdbId, String imdbId, String tmdbId, Int64 introStartTime, Int64 introEndTime, Int64 creditStartTime)
   at Intros.Backup.ScheduledTasks.IntrosBackupScheduledTask.Execute(CancellationToken cancellationToken, IProgress`1 progress)
   at Emby.Server.Implementations.ScheduledTasks.ScheduledTaskWorker.ExecuteInternal(TaskOptions options)

 

Ok this can be ignored, I setup debug logging (shouhld have thought of that first!) and found that there was a faulty nfo file for an episode which caused the plugin to quit. Deleted all the nfo files, forced metadata update for the series, and now it seems to be working!

[wpjonesnh 1]

Hello......
Long time emby user. Looking for some assistance here. I have been running emby with a premiere license for a few years now and the software is great! So great that I actually run the beta instead of the stable version but I am now running into a problem. I purchased the intros backup/restore plugin a few months back and assumed everything was working fine ( system works so well I only login in about once a month to look at logs and check on things). I have two plugins that I use that require premiere status to function:

• intros backup/restore
• TV Theme Songs

TV Theme Songs plugin is working fine but  intros backup/restore isn't working at all. Error in the log file states:
 

2025-08-25 07:57:30.943 Info Intros Backup-Backup: Either you are not a valid Emby Premium Subscriber or your Trial Period has expired, Please consider supporting plugin and the Emby Project by purchasing a Premium Subscription.
2025-08-25 07:57:30.943 Info TaskManager: Intro & Credits Backup Completed after 0 minute(s) and 0 seconds

So I can't use the backup or restore functionality with it. Reading through this post, it sounds like this plugin might not be actively maintained currently which puts me in a bad spot considering there is a cost associated with this plugin to be able to use it. Is this plugin no longer actively maintained or is there a resolution to this considering I am in fact a valid Emby Subscriber? If not, shouldn't this plugin be removed from the catalog so people like myself do not purchase it and lose out on their purchase? When I saw this I jumped at it because my library is pretty extensive ( I have been collecting television series for 12+ years and was a plex user who converted over to emby ) and I saw an extreme value i the use of this plugin as backed up information like this would save a ton of time if I ever needed to do a full restore of my library:

 

and where it's been a few months, I doubt I would be able to get any type of reimbursement from PayPal.
(Note: there are other errors in the log with scanning from my NAS which I need to investigate. I am not concerned with those as I have not investigated those yet. This plugin is my primary concern at the moment)

embyserver.txt

[Neminem 1516]

@wpjonesnhLook here my guess that this plugin is dead

And there for not working on Emby Beta

 

Edited August 25, 2025 by Neminem

[wpjonesnh 1]

Thanks, @neminem

I look into how this should be removed from the catalog. I wouldn't have purchased it if I knew this in advance.

[kikinjo 281]

This plugin is dead and not working unfortunately, and option in Emby to save intro markers with the media is expected in summer of year 2079.

[rbjtech 5283]

tbh, really not sure why Emby simply don't add it to the NFO metadata - that was an option in this Plugin as I asked Cheese (the author) to add it as it seemed the logical place to store the data and make it portable.

Emby already reads/writes the NFO at a system level - so it really wouldn't take much to add the chapter hidden markers as NFO lines ...   

@LukeIf nobody is supporting this Plugin (I'm pretty certain Cheese is not, and I don't have the source..) then it should be removed from the Plugin catalogue, especially as it is a paid for Plugin).

 

[kikinjo 281]

It is time to have option to save intro markers with the media, that is minimum. Secondary adding it to NFO also since emby is reading it. This needs to be pushed on top of the queue since managing intros is horror now. 

[rbjtech 5283]

2 minutes ago, kikinjo said:

It is time to have option to save intro markers with the media, that is minimum. Secondary adding it to NFO also since emby is reading it. This needs to be pushed on top of the queue since managing intros is horror now. 

Saving to the media is technically tricky.  There are marker (chapter) types in the MKV standard - but nobody uses them, only standard chapters.   I don't believe there is any special support in MP4 etc either - so internal support is all that we can realistically ask for imo.

[kikinjo 281]

19 minutes ago, rbjtech said:

Saving to the media is technically tricky.  There are marker (chapter) types in the MKV standard - but nobody uses them, only standard chapters.   I don't believe there is any special support in MP4 etc either - so internal support is all that we can realistically ask for imo.

I mean saving markers to media folders, so new emby install or migration is much easier. 

[BoskiAlvaro 2]

Since this plugin not working anymore, there is any trick/workaround to backup and restore intros? I have some media added through Samba over VPN, and detecting of the intros takes some tame. Unfortunately when I refresh metadata on some season/serie - also already detected intros disappears. 

[kikinjo 281]

27 minutes ago, BoskiAlvaro said:

Since this plugin not working anymore, there is any trick/workaround to backup and restore intros? I have some media added through Samba over VPN, and detecting of the intros takes some tame. Unfortunately when I refresh metadata on some season/serie - also already detected intros disappears. 

There is no workaround. We need ASAP option to save intros detection in media folder. We can probably expect it in 7-8 years in beta.

[BoskiAlvaro 2]

1 hour ago, kikinjo said:

There is no workaround. We need ASAP option to save intros detection in media folder. We can probably expect it in 7-8 years in beta.

Ok, I have some idea, but I need to a little bit time to refine it. Basically - in Emby REST API I see endpoint to retrieve all Intros timestamps, also I see that there is a possibility to update item about this data - I need to test it. Maybe I will write some simple script to backup and restore (maybe with some selection which intros should be restore, maybe with some additional matching by filename instead only itemId - lets see). It will be separate tool outside Emby itself (not a plugin), I will create it for myself, but maybe will be useful for someone - I will share it if it will work