: Ensure your media server has hardware transcoding capabilities (Intel Quick Sync Video, NVIDIA NVENC). For Plex, this requires a Plex Pass subscription. Alternatively, maintain separate libraries for x264 and x265 content, or use client devices known for good HEVC support (modern Apple TV, Nvidia Shield, newer smart TVs, etc.).
Now, we need to add the conditions. Click the button.
In the Regular Expression (Regex) field, paste the following string: \b([hx]265|hevc)\b Click . Step 2: Assign a Score in Your Quality Profile
For users seeking an optimized configuration without manual trial-and-error, the community-maintained repository provides meticulously tested JSON configurations for Sonarr. sonarr prefer x265
Mastering Sonarr: How to Prefer x265 (HEVC) for a Space-Saving Media Library
x265 releases are naturally smaller. If you leave your quality size limits configured for massive x264 files, your indexers might serve you poorly optimized x265 encodes or fake files. Go to > Media Management . Scroll down to File Size Limits .
If two releases have the same Quality, the one with the higher Custom Format Score (your x265 release) will be chosen. : Ensure your media server has hardware transcoding
: While x264 struggles with 4K content, x265 was built from the ground up to handle high-resolution video efficiently, making it the go-to codec for 4K and HDR releases.
Before diving into Sonarr configuration, it's essential to understand what x265 is and why so many media enthusiasts prefer it.
While preferring x265 in Sonarr offers several advantages, there are some challenges and considerations: Now, we need to add the conditions
The ultimate goal for media server enthusiasts running Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby is building a comprehensive library without constantly buying new hard drives. Achieving this requires mastering automation. By configuring , you can reduce the file size of your TV show library by 30% to 50% compared to traditional x264 encodes.
Whether you're building a space-saving 720p HEVC collection or assembling a pristine 4K library with Dolby Vision, Sonarr's custom format system gives you the tools to achieve your goals. The key is patience in configuration, attention to detail in scoring, and a willingness to refine your approach based on actual results.
The method you use depends on which version of Sonarr you are running. Sonarr v3 uses "Release Profiles," while Sonarr v4 utilizes a much more powerful system called "Custom Formats." Method 1: Sonarr v4 (Recommended)
Before committing your whole library to x265, ensure your playback devices (Plex clients, smart TVs, or tablets) support HEVC hardware decoding
In the field, leave it blank (forcing it will cause Sonarr to reject downloads if an x265 version doesn't exist).