To make Sonarr prefer x265 (HEVC) video files, you need to use Custom Formats
. Since x265 offers much better compression than x264, it is the go-to choice for users looking to save disk space without sacrificing visual quality. Here is how to set it up: 1. Create the x265 Custom Format
First, you need to tell Sonarr what to look for in a filename. Navigate to Settings > Custom Formats to add a new format. x265 / HEVC Specifications: Add Condition and select Release Title Regular Expression: \b(x265|hevc)\b (this matches most standard release naming conventions). the format. 2. Assign a Score in your Quality Profile
Once the format exists, you must tell Sonarr that it is valuable. Settings > Profiles and select the profile you use (e.g., Scroll down to the Custom Formats section at the bottom. You will see your new x265 / HEVC format. Enter a positive If you want to ensure Sonarr
grabs x265 when available but will settle for x264 otherwise, set a "Minimum Custom Format Score" of and a "Upgrade Until Custom Format Score" of 3. Why Prefer x265? Storage Efficiency:
x265 files are often 30–50% smaller than x264 files of the same perceived quality. 4K Standard: sonarr prefer x265
Almost all 4K (UHD) content is encoded in HEVC; preferring it ensures you get the best modern encodes. Automation:
By assigning a score, Sonarr will automatically "upgrade" an existing x264 file to an x265 version if it finds one later, helping you prune your library size over time. Important Compatibility Note
Before committing your whole library to x265, ensure your playback devices (Plex clients, smart TVs, or tablets) support HEVC hardware decoding
. If they don’t, your media server will have to "transcode" the video, which puts a massive heavy load on your CPU. Regex strings
for filtering out low-quality "re-encodes" or "bloat" releases? To make Sonarr prefer x265 (HEVC) video files,
Optimising Your Library: The Case for x265 in Sonarr In the world of automated home media management, Sonarr stands as the premier tool for organizing and downloading television content. As libraries grow from a few shows to thousands of episodes, users inevitably face a critical bottleneck: storage space. This is where the strategic preference for the x265 (HEVC) codec becomes a game-changer. Drafting a configuration that prioritises x265 is not just about saving disk space; it is about future-proofing a digital collection. The Efficiency of HEVC
The primary argument for x265 is its superior compression. High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) can deliver the same visual quality as its predecessor, x264 (AVC), at roughly half the bitrate. For a Sonarr user, this means a 20GB season of a drama can be reduced to 10GB without a perceptible loss in clarity. Over a library of hundreds of series, this translates to terabytes of reclaimed storage, delaying the need for expensive new hard drives. Integration via Custom Formats
Sonarr v3 and v4 have moved away from simple "must contain" strings toward a more nuanced system called Custom Formats. By creating a format that assigns a positive score to the "x265" or "HEVC" tags, users can instruct Sonarr to: Prioritise x265 releases during initial searches.
Upgrade existing x264 files to x265 when a matching release becomes available.
Maintain Quality, as users can set "score" thresholds to ensure the system doesn't accidentally "downgrade" a high-bitrate x264 file to a low-quality, "trash" x265 encode. The Compatibility Trade-off 1) Quality Profiles
While the benefits are clear, a balanced essay must acknowledge the hardware requirements. x265 is computationally intensive to decode. While most modern streaming sticks (like Nvidia Shield or Fire Stick 4K) and smart TVs handle it natively, older devices may force a media server like Plex or Jellyfin to "transcode" the video. This puts a heavy load on the server's CPU or GPU. Therefore, preferring x265 is most effective when your playback ecosystem is modern enough to support direct play. Conclusion
Configuring Sonarr to prefer x265 represents the "smart" way to manage a growing media empire. It balances the desire for high-definition 1080p or 4K content with the reality of finite storage resources. By mastering Custom Formats and ensuring hardware compatibility, a Sonarr user can build a lean, high-performance library that looks spectacular without breaking the bank on storage.
x265, hevcx264:-100 (note Sonarr treats preferred words as boosts).This method uses simple "Must Contain" or "Preferred" logic.
x265
hevcxvid
divx
h.264 (Warning: This will block all x264 releases, even if x265 isn't available. Use with caution).Review of Method A: This works, but it treats all x265 releases equally. It scores a 1GB high-quality HEVC release the same as a 150MB junk re-encode.
This is the most common mistake. You want high-quality x265 encodes, not low-quality re-encodes.
Release Profile:
- Preferred: x265 hevc
- Score: +100
- Optional “must not contain” if you want pure x265: x264
Also set Size limits in Sonarr: