Here, you will build a "Release Title" condition. This is a Regular Expression (Regex) that catches every variation of x265 naming conventions.
Find your newly created Prefer x265 format and assign it a positive score (e.g., up to +100 ).
Ensure the profile is applied to the correct (leave it blank to apply globally to all shows). Click Save . Pro-Tip: Avoid the "Fake x265" Trap
By systematically implementing these adjustments, your Sonarr instance will transition into a highly efficient, space-saving automation engine tailored explicitly for modern media storage standards.
,
This comprehensive guide covers everything needed to configure a robust workflow using modern Custom Formats , preventing common pitfalls and maintaining optimal quality. Why Prefer x265/HEVC in Sonarr?
Follow these steps exactly:
In Sonarr v3 and v4, Custom Formats are the modern and recommended way to weight preferences. They are far more powerful and flexible than the legacy Release Profiles.
There are two ways to prefer x265. The first is easy but rigid; the second is advanced and powerful. sonarr prefer x265
Smaller file sizes mean your torrents and Usenet NZBs finish downloading much quicker.
Let’s look at actual savings. A standard 1080p x264 episode of Game of Thrones runs approximately 4GB. The same episode in x265 (1080p) runs 1.5GB.
How to Prefer x265 (HEVC) in Sonarr In Sonarr v4, the best way to prefer releases over x264 is through Custom Formats . Unlike older versions that used "Preferred Words," Custom Formats allow you to assign specific scores to media attributes, ensuring Sonarr always picks your preferred codec when available. Step 1: Create the x265 Custom Format Navigate to Settings > Custom Formats . Click the + (Plus) button to add a new format. Name: x265 (HEVC) Click Add Condition and select Release Title . In the Regex field, enter: ([xh].?265|hevc) .
Locate your newly created x265 / HEVC format and assign it a positive score, such as . Here, you will build a "Release Title" condition
The community gold standard for these settings is Trash Guides. They provide pre-made JSON snippets you can import to: Prefer specific high-quality encoders (like or Tigole ). Avoid "fake" or low-quality HEVC releases.
Ensure "Upgrade Until" is set to a score equal to or higher than your x265 score if you want Sonarr to eventually replace x264 files with x265 versions. Why use scoring over restrictions?
Sonarr (Version 3 and 4) does not have a magic "x265 only" button, but it has a powerful scoring system called . This allows you to say "I want x265, but I will take x264 if necessary."
Set the to 0 . This ensures Sonarr will still download standard x264 files if no x265 release exists, preventing your queue from stalling. Click Save . Dealing with the "WebRip" and "Web-DL" Conundrum Ensure the profile is applied to the correct