Sonarr Prefer X265 Jun 2026

By mastering the system, you can create rules as simple or as complex as your workflow requires. You can set it to prefer, force, or fall back gracefully. Combine this with tools like Tdarr for legacy content, and you have a powerful, storage-optimized media server that you can set and forget.

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.

Under the section at the bottom, find your new "x265" format. Assign it a positive score (e.g., +100 ). Set Upgrades : sonarr prefer x265

Not all x265 is created equal. Some scene groups upload x265 at 500kbps, which looks like pixelated soup.

This is the best approach for most users. If you want 720p x265 or 1080p x265 , you must set the "Upgrade Until" quality to the you're after. This tells Sonarr to consider all releases of that quality equally, allowing your Custom Format scores to work as tiebreakers. By mastering the system, you can create rules

: If you apply these rules to existing series, Sonarr will begin actively replacing your current x264 library with x265 versions, causing a temporary surge in network and disk activity.

Prioritizing x265 blindly can sometimes lead to unexpected results. Use these advanced strategies to keep your library well-balanced. Handling Release Delays In the world of media management and streaming,

Whether you are a "watch and delete" user after the smallest files, a 4K HDR collector needing the best codec, or simply a hoarder running out of drive bays, this guide provides everything you need to take complete control. Happy automating!

While Sonarr doesn't have a simple "HEVC Only" toggle, you can easily automate this preference using Custom Formats