Sonarr Prefer X265 -

Instead of writing your own regular expressions, you can sync Sonarr directly with Trash Guides patterns using tools like . This automation syncs highly specific custom formats—such as prioritizing specific release groups known for excellent HEVC encodes (e.g., QxR, MinHDKR, TAO)—while automatically filtering out low-quality, automated "bitrate-starved" encodes. Summary Checklist for x265 Automation Action Item Configuration Location Expected Outcome Create Custom Format Settings > Custom Formats Defines the x265 / hevc regex tag for identification. Assign Format Score Settings > Profiles > [Your Profile] Gives x265 releases a +100 advantage over x264. Enable Upgrades Settings > Profiles > [Your Profile] Allows Sonarr to replace existing x264 files over time. Group Qualities Settings > Profiles > Edit Groups Prevents source tags from overriding codec preferences. Adjust Size Sliders Settings > Media Management Tailors the acceptable file size range to HEVC standards.

To help refine this setup for your specific home lab, tell me:

: Not all x265 files are created equal. A 2GB x264 file will often look better than a heavily compressed 300MB x265 file. sonarr prefer x265

Use a regular expression or simple text like \b(x265|HEVC|h265)\b to match the codec.

is set to at least that number if you want it to replace existing x264 files. 2. Legacy Method: Release Profiles (Sonarr v3) Instead of writing your own regular expressions, you

Configuring Sonarr to prefer x265 involves more nuance than simply setting a preference. By understanding Sonarr's quality-first hierarchy, using Custom Formats with appropriate scores, and optionally grouping qualities, you can fine-tune your media server to balance storage savings with quality. Whether you strictly require x265, prefer it as an upgrade, or follow the TRaSH Guides' "Golden Rule," this guide provides the framework for achieving your desired automation behavior.

: Decoding x265 video requires modern hardware. Older streaming sticks, legacy smart TVs, and aging computers may struggle to play it. Assign Format Score Settings > Profiles > [Your

Name your custom format something easily identifiable, such as x265 / HEVC . In the block, click Add Specification . Set the Type to Release Title (or Regular Expression ).

To make Sonarr prefer x265 (HEVC) releases without strictly requiring them, you should use (in v4) or Release Profiles (in v3) to assign a positive "score" to those terms . How to set up x265 preference

Start with Custom Formats for maximum flexibility, leverage TRaSH Guides for battle-tested configurations, and don't forget that quality isn't just about codec—release groups, bitrates, and source quality matter just as much as whether a file uses x265 or x264.