X265 | Sonarr Prefer

Sonarr is a powerful tool for automating your media library, but its default settings often prioritize file size or release speed over modern efficiency. If you want to save disk space without sacrificing quality, configuring Sonarr to prefer x265 (HEVC) is a game-changer.

This guide will walk you through setting up custom formats and quality profiles to ensure your library shifts toward the x265 standard. Why Prefer x265?

Before diving into the settings, it is important to understand why this shift matters for your home server.

Storage Efficiency: x265 files are typically 30-50% smaller than x264 files at the same perceived quality.

4K Standard: HEVC is the industry standard for 4K and HDR content.

Future Proofing: As hardware decoding becomes universal, x265 provides the best balance of fidelity and footprint. Step 1: Create a Custom Format for x265

The most effective way to tell Sonarr what you want is through Custom Formats. This allows you to "score" specific terms found in release titles. Navigate to Settings > Custom Formats. Click the + icon to create a new format. Name: Call it "x265 HEVC". Specifications: Add a new specification. Select Release Title as the type. In the Regular Expression field, enter: (?i)x265|HEVC. Save the format. Step 2: Configure Your Quality Profile

Now that Sonarr knows how to identify x265, you need to tell it that these files are more desirable than others. Go to Settings > Profiles. Select the profile you use (e.g., HD-1080p). Find the Custom Formats section at the bottom.

You will see your "x265 HEVC" format listed. Set the Score to something positive, like 100.

Ensure your Upgrade Until Custom Format Score is set to at least 100. Step 3: Handling Potential Pitfalls

While x265 is superior for storage, there are two things to keep in mind to avoid a "bad" automated experience. Watch Out for "Trash Guides"

For the best results, many users follow the Trash Guides methodology. This involves adding negative scores to "bloat" terms or low-quality encoders. If you prefer x265, you might also want to give a negative score to x264 or AVC to ensure they are only picked as a last resort. Transcoding Constraints

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 x265 files back to x264 on the fly, which can heavily tax your CPU. Step 4: Applying the Changes

Once your profiles are updated, Sonarr won't immediately replace your entire library. To trigger the shift:

For New Content: Sonarr will automatically pick the x265 version if available during the next search.

For Existing Content: Go to the Series tab, select the shows you want to upgrade, and click Interactive Search or Search Monitored to let Sonarr find the more efficient versions.

✅ Key TakeawayBy assigning a positive score to the x265/HEVC regex in your Custom Formats, you automate a leaner, higher-quality media library. 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.

1) Create Custom Formats

Purpose: Identify releases whose release title contains encoder/codec hints (x265, HEVC, 10bit, HDR terms). Sonarr can match custom formats to release titles for scoring.

Examples to add (pattern matching is case-insensitive; use multiple entries for variants):

Name: x265
- Must contain: x265 OR HEVC
Name: x265 10-bit
- Must contain: x265 OR HEVC AND 10bit OR 10-bit OR 10 bit OR 10b
Name: HDR (for HDR x265 releases)
- Must contain: HDR OR DolbyVision OR DV OR HDR10 OR HDR10+
Name: x264 (so you can prefer x265 over this)
- Must contain: x264 OR AVC

Best practice:

Keep entries focused. Use "Must contain" for primary codec tokens. Optionally use "Must not contain" to exclude misleading tokens (e.g., "x265" format: Must not contain "REPACK" only if you want to avoid repacks, otherwise omit).
Use more specific custom formats (x265 10-bit, x265 HDR) for scoring higher when you want those prioritized.

4) Download Client / Post-processing

Ensure your download client (qBittorrent, Transmission, NZBGet, SABnzbd) is integrated and working.
Use tags in Sonarr to tell the download client to use specific trackers or filters if applicable.
If you run a separate post-processing/renamer, ensure it doesn’t alter codec tags in filenames that Sonarr would use for future decisions.

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
```
  (This regex matches x265, h265, or hevc, case-insensitive)
Set “Preferred” score (optional but recommended)
- In the Preferred section, add the same regex with a positive score (e.g., +100).
- Add a second term for x264 with a negative score (e.g., -100).
Order preference
- Keep “Include Preferred when Renaming” checked.
- Set “Preferred Word Score” high enough to beat size-based or other profiles.
Indexer restrictions (optional)
- Some indexers allow tagging x265 in caps. You can also use Release Profile terms to block unwanted formats.

Example Preferred table

| Term | Score | |------|-------| | /\b(x265|hevc)\b/i | +100 | | /\b(x264|avc)\b/i | -50 |

Important caveats

Not all shows have x265 releases – especially older or niche content.
x265 can look worse at very low bitrates; rely on release group reputation.
For devices that can’t decode HEVC, use Plex’s transcoding or avoid x265 on those libraries.

Testing
After saving, manually search a popular season. Sonarr will sort x265 releases above x264 if scores are set.

The Benefits of Preferring x265 in Sonarr: A Guide to Efficient Media Storage and Streaming Sonarr is a powerful tool for automating your

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.

To make Sonarr prefer x265 (HEVC) content over x264, you must use Custom Formats Release Profiles

. Unlike "Must Contain" filters, these methods allow Sonarr to still download x264 if no x265 version is available, rather than failing the search entirely. 1. Recommended Method: Custom Formats (Sonarr v4)

This is the most modern and flexible way to prioritize specific codecs. Create the Format Navigate to Custom Formats button to add a new format. Name it "x265/HEVC". Release Title and enter the regex: \b(x265|hevc)\b (case insensitive). Save the format. Assign Scores Select the profile you use (e.g., HD-1080p). Custom Formats section at the bottom. 1) Create Custom Formats Purpose: Identify releases whose

Set the score for your "x265/HEVC" format to a positive number (e.g., Ensure your Upgrade Until Custom Format Score

is set to at least that number if you want it to replace existing x264 files. 2. Legacy Method: Release Profiles (Sonarr v3)

If you are still on v3, use Release Profiles to "weight" titles. Add Preferred Terms in some versions) > Release Profiles to add a new profile. section, add Assign a score (e.g., ) to these terms.

Save. Sonarr will now add 100 "points" to any release containing these strings, making them rank higher than standard x264 releases. 3. The "Hard" Limit (Optional) want x265 and wish to ignore all x264 content entirely: Show Advanced Restrictions Must Contain x265, HEVC

Note: This is risky as it will prevent downloads if an x265 version isn't uploaded yet. Summary Table: Setup Comparison Custom Formats (v4) Release Profiles (v3) Restrictions Flexibility High (weighted scoring) Medium (weighted scoring) Low (Binary Yes/No) Downloads x264 if x265 is missing Downloads x264 if x265 is missing Fails if x265 is missing Advanced Regex support String matching Basic string matching For automated cleanup of your existing library, tools like

can monitor your folders and convert older x264 files to x265 automatically, as discussed by users on Regex strings

to capture high-bitrate HEVC releases while avoiding low-quality "mini" encodes?

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