Optimising Your Library: The Case for x265 in Sonarr In the world of automated home media management, 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
Here is a comprehensive guide on how to configure Sonarr to prioritize x265 content automatically. Why Prioritize x265 in Sonarr?
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.
If you already have a massive library of x264 files and don't want to re-download everything, is your best friend. It's a cross-platform tool that can automatically scan and transcode your entire library from x264 to x265 , shrinking your storage footprint automatically. sonarr prefer x265
If you are truly dedicated to x265 and want to absolutely refuse any x264 download, regardless of availability, do this:
Go to and select the profile you use (e.g., HD-1080p ). Scroll down to the Custom Formats section at the bottom.
Quality Profile: Prefer x265 1080p
| Custom Format | Score | Purpose | |---|---|---| | x265 Preferred | +100 | Prefer HEVC when available | | x265 + 1080p Only | +1000 | Heavily favor HEVC for HD content | | Block x264 | -10000 | Prevent x264 downloads entirely | | Trusted Groups (ELiTE, QxR, etc.) | +50 | Favor high-quality release groups |
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.
Locate the section. This is where we tell Sonarr what terms we like. Click Add and enter x265 , giving it a score of 100 . Click Add again and enter HEVC , giving it a score of 100 . Click Add again and enter h265 , giving it a score of 100 . Optimising Your Library: The Case for x265 in
How to Configure Sonarr to Prefer x265 (HEVC) Releases If you are looking to save disk space without sacrificing visual quality, configuring to prefer x265 (also known as HEVC ) is one of the most effective optimizations you can make. x265 releases typically offer 40-50% smaller file sizes compared to traditional x264 while maintaining similar or better clarity.
Sonarr relies entirely on the release title to evaluate custom formats. If a release doesn't include "x265," "HEVC," or similar identifiers in its name, Sonarr cannot know what codec it uses.
Enter (also known as HEVC or High Efficiency Video Coding). This video compression standard offers the same visual quality as x264 but at roughly half the file size. Drafting a configuration that prioritises x265 is not