Sonarr Prefer X265 Jun 2026

The Benefits of Preferring x265 in Sonarr: A Guide to Efficient Media Storage and Streaming In the world of media management and streaming, efficiency and quality are paramount. With the rise of digital media, users are constantly looking for ways to store and stream their favorite TV shows and movies without compromising on quality while also saving on storage space. Sonarr, a popular media management tool, offers users the flexibility to manage and automate their media collection. One of the critical settings in Sonarr that can significantly impact both storage efficiency and streaming quality is the preference for video codecs, specifically the preference for x265 (HEVC) over other codecs like x264 (H.264). In this essay, we'll explore the benefits of preferring x265 in Sonarr, focusing on its impact on storage efficiency, streaming performance, and overall media management. Understanding x265 (HEVC) and Its Advantages x265, also known as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), is a video compression standard designed to succeed H.264/AVC (x264). It offers significantly better compression efficiency than its predecessor, meaning it can store or stream video at a much smaller file size without a noticeable decrease in video quality. This efficiency is crucial for media enthusiasts who want to save on storage costs and bandwidth without sacrificing video quality. Storage Efficiency One of the primary benefits of preferring x265 in Sonarr is storage efficiency. Because x265 offers better compression ratios, users can store more content on their storage devices without needing to invest in more hardware. This is particularly beneficial for those with large media collections or those who are limited by storage capacity. For instance, a movie that takes up 50GB in x264 could be as low as 20-30GB in x265, representing a significant saving in storage space. Over a large collection, this adds up quickly, making efficient storage solutions like x265 highly desirable. Streaming Performance In addition to storage efficiency, preferring x265 can also enhance streaming performance. With smaller file sizes, streaming requires less bandwidth to maintain high-quality video. This is especially beneficial for users with slower internet connections who might struggle to stream high-definition content using less efficient codecs. Furthermore, for those who share their media collections with friends or family over the internet, x265 files require less bandwidth, making sharing and streaming smoother and more efficient. Compatibility and Support While x265 offers numerous advantages, it's essential to consider compatibility and support. Most modern devices and media players support x265 playback, including smartphones, smart TVs, and streaming devices. However, for older devices or less common media players, support might be limited. Users should ensure their playback equipment can handle x265 videos before fully transitioning. Configuring Sonarr to Prefer x265 Sonarr provides users with the flexibility to configure their download and media management preferences, including the ability to prioritize x265 encodes. By adjusting the settings in Sonarr to prefer x265, users can automate the process of adding x265 versions of their TV shows and movies to their collection. This involves configuring the indexer and download client settings within Sonarr to look for and download x265 encoded files. Conclusion Preferring x265 in Sonarr offers significant benefits in terms of storage efficiency and streaming performance, making it an attractive option for media enthusiasts looking to optimize their media collections. While considerations around compatibility and support are valid, the advantages of x265 make it a compelling choice for those looking to save on storage and improve their streaming experience. As media continues to evolve, the importance of efficient storage and streaming solutions like x265 will only continue to grow. By understanding and leveraging these technologies through tools like Sonarr, users can ensure their media collections are managed efficiently and can be enjoyed in high quality across a range of devices.

How to Prefer x265 (HEVC) in Sonarr In Sonarr v4, the best way to prefer x265 (HEVC) releases over x264 is through Custom Formats . Unlike older versions that used "Preferred Words," Custom Formats allow you to assign specific scores to media attributes, ensuring Sonarr always picks your preferred codec when available. Step 1: Create the x265 Custom Format Navigate to Settings > Custom Formats . Click the + (Plus) button to add a new format. Name: x265 (HEVC) Click Add Condition and select Release Title . In the Regex field, enter: ([xh].?265|hevc) . Tip: This matches common naming conventions like x265 , h.265 , or HEVC . Click Save . Step 2: Assign a Score in Your Quality Profile A Custom Format does nothing until it is assigned a score in a Quality Profile . Go to Settings > Profiles and select the profile you use (e.g., HD-1080p ). Scroll down to the Custom Formats section at the bottom. Find your new x265 (HEVC) format and enter a positive Score (e.g., 1000 ). (Optional) Upgrade Until: Set the "Upgrade Until Custom Format Score" to your x265 score if you want Sonarr to replace existing x264 files with x265 versions. Click Save . Important: How Scoring Works Quality Trumps All: Sonarr prioritizes Quality (e.g., Bluray-1080p vs. WEB-DL 1080p) before checking Custom Format scores. If you want x265 regardless of quality, you may need to group your qualities together in the profile. Tie-Breaker: If two releases have the same Quality, the one with the higher Custom Format Score (your x265 release) will be chosen. Trash Guides: For advanced setups, many users import pre-made JSON configurations from TRaSH Guides which include highly optimized regex for x265, HDR, and more.

In Sonarr (v3 and v4), you can prefer x265 (HEVC) by using Custom Formats or Release Profiles to assign higher "scores" to those releases . Because Sonarr treats x264 and x265 as the same "Quality" (e.g., both are 1080p), you must use these scoring systems to act as a tiebreaker. 1. Configure Custom Formats (Sonarr v4) The most robust method in the latest versions of Sonarr is to use Custom Formats to identify and score x265 releases. Create the Format : Go to Settings > Custom Formats . Add a Condition : Create a new format (e.g., named "x265") and add a Release Title condition with a regular expression like /\b([xh].?265|hevc)\b/i to catch common naming conventions. Assign a Score : Go to Settings > Profiles , select your quality profile, and give your new "x265" format a positive score (e.g., +100). 2. Use Release Profiles (Sonarr v3) If you are still on v3, you use Preferred Words instead of Custom Formats. Prefer x265 files? - Help & Support - sonarr :: forums

How to Configure Sonarr to Prefer x265 (HEVC) Releases If you are looking to save disk space without sacrificing visual quality, configuring Sonarr to prefer x265 (also known as HEVC ) is one of the most effective optimizations you can make. x265 releases typically offer 40-50% smaller file sizes compared to traditional x264 while maintaining similar or better clarity. This guide explains how to set up Sonarr to automatically prioritize these efficient files using Custom Formats (v4) and Release Profiles (v3). Why Prefer x265? Storage Efficiency : High-definition 1080p files that might take up 2GB in x264 can often be compressed to under 800MB in x265. Bandwidth Savings : Smaller files mean faster downloads and less stress on your internet data caps. Future Proofing : HEVC is the standard for 4K and HDR content, making your library ready for modern playback devices. Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Preference in Sonarr v4 Sonarr v4 utilizes a powerful Custom Formats system that allows for granular control over which releases are "scored" higher than others. 1. Create the Custom Format Navigate to Settings > Custom Formats . Click the + button to add a new format. Name it "x265 HEVC". Add a Condition and select Release Title . In the regex field, use a pattern like: [xh][ ._-]?265|\bHEVC(\b|\d) . Click Save . 2. Assign Scores in Quality Profiles Quality and Custom Format help - sonarr :: forums sonarr prefer x265

Here’s a draft piece for configuring Sonarr to prefer x265 (HEVC) encodes, including rationale and practical steps. You can adapt this for a wiki, guide, or automation note.

Draft: Configuring Sonarr to Prefer x265 (HEVC) Encodes Why prefer x265? x265 (HEVC) offers ~50% better compression than x264 at the same quality, saving significant storage space. However, it’s more computationally demanding to play back – fine on modern devices, but problematic on older hardware or Plex/Jellyfin without GPU transcoding. Step-by-step in Sonarr v3/v4

Add a Release Profile

Go to Settings → Profiles → Release Profiles Click + to add a new profile.

Set “Must Contain” for x265

In the Must Contain field, add: /\b(x|h)265\b|\bhevc\b/i The Benefits of Preferring x265 in Sonarr: A

(This regex matches x265, h265, or hevc, case-insensitive)

Set “Preferred” score (optional but recommended)