Sonarr Prefer X265 |link| ✓

: These act as a secondary scoring system within those quality tiers. If Sonarr finds two files of the same quality tier (for example, two WEBDL-1080p releases), it uses Custom Format scores to break the tie. By awarding positive points to releases containing the "x265" or "HEVC" tags, you instruct Sonarr to grab or upgrade to the x265 version. Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring "Prefer x265" in Sonarr

: Smaller file sizes mean quicker download times and significantly reduced upload strain when streaming outside your home network.

To avoid this, consider pairing your x265 preference with preferred release groups. sonarr prefer x265

Before you convert your entire library, ensure your playback devices (Plex clients, smart TVs, or tablets) support HEVC hardware decoding

for more advanced filtering, like avoiding low-quality "re-encodes"? : These act as a secondary scoring system

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

For a 10-season series, that is the difference between 300GB and 140GB. If you are running a Plex or Jellyfin server for remote friends, x265 is the only way to scale without buying a 12-bay NAS. Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring "Prefer x265" in Sonarr

x265 (HEVC) offers ~50% better compression than x264 at the same quality, saving significant storage space. However, it’s more computationally demanding to play back – fine on modern devices, but problematic on older hardware or Plex/Jellyfin without GPU transcoding.

Click on the tab and add a new specification. Select Release Title from the dropdown menu.

To protect yourself, you must combine x265 preference with limits.