Prefer X265 — Sonarr

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

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

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

Sonarr will automatically pick the x265 version if available during the next search.

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 x265 files are typically 30-50% smaller than x264

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.

The most effective way to tell Sonarr what you want is through . 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 Step 1: Create a Custom Format for x265

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

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

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?