Lower the maximum allowed gigabytes per hour. For x265 1080p content, a maximum limit of of programming is generally a safe ceiling that guarantees high quality while filtering out bloated files. Advanced Automation: Trash Guides Integration
There is one major caveat: . Older streaming devices (like early generation Fire Sticks, older smart TVs, or web browsers) cannot play x265 natively. When a device cannot play a file directly, your Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby server must "transcode" it on the fly. Transcoding x265 video requires a powerful CPU or a dedicated GPU with hardware acceleration. Ensure your server can handle transcoding before converting your entire library. How to Prefer x265 in Sonarr v4 (Custom Formats)
If you want, I can produce:
Adjust the sliders for your primary formats (like WEBDL-1080p ). sonarr prefer x265
Setting up Sonarr to prefer x265 is one of the best optimizations a media collector can make. It optimizes storage, reduces bandwidth, and prepares your library for modern streaming standards. By following the steps above—creating a Custom Format and adjusting your profiles—you can automate this transition seamlessly.
Anime encoders love 10-bit x265. TV scene groups love x264. Use this regex in with a high negative score:
In the Regular Expression (Regex) field, paste the following string to match common HEVC tags: \b([hx].?265|hevc)\b Save the Custom Format. Lower the maximum allowed gigabytes per hour
"I added x265 as +100, but Sonarr keeps downloading x264."
Best practice:
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." Older streaming devices (like early generation Fire Sticks,
The hum of the server rack was the only heartbeat in Elias’s apartment. To anyone else, it was background noise, but to him, it was the sound of a perfectly curated digital library breathing.
Smaller files mean less bandwidth is required to stream content remotely, reducing buffering for remote users.
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.