This method uses simple "Must Contain" or "Preferred" logic.
Add a specification to identify the video codec. The easiest way is to add a condition: Condition: Release Title Value: (?i)x265|hevc Click Save .
. Unlike "Must Contain" filters, these methods allow Sonarr to still download x264 if no x265 version is available, rather than failing the search entirely. 1. Recommended Method: Custom Formats (Sonarr v4)
: Ultra-HD content natively relies on HEVC encoding.
Assign a weight to these preferred terms. A score of 100 is usually sufficient to override standard release ties. Give the profile a name (e.g., Prefer HEVC ) and click . Advanced Tip: Trash Guides Integration sonarr prefer x265
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Since x265 files are typically smaller than x264 files at the same quality, you may need to lower your Size Limits in Settings > Quality . If your limits are too high, Sonarr might reject valid, high-quality x265 releases because they are "too small". Key Considerations Collection of Custom Formats for Sonarr - TRaSH Guides
Set the to 0 (this ensures Sonarr will still download x264 files if no x265 version is available, rather than ignoring the episode entirely). Click Save . Step 3: Handle the Upgrade Threshold (Optional)
Go to and select your active profile (e.g., "HD-1080p"). Find the Custom Formats section at the bottom. Give your "x265/HEVC" format a positive score (e.g., +100 ). This method uses simple "Must Contain" or "Preferred" logic
The only significant downside to x265 is the processing power required to decode it. While modern devices like Apple TV, Nvidia Shield, Fire TV sticks, and newer Smart TVs handle x265 natively (Direct Play), older streaming sticks, web browsers, and budget tablets may not. If a client device cannot decode x265 natively, your media server (Plex/Jellyfin) will have to transcode the video on the fly, heavily taxing your server's CPU or GPU. How to Configure Sonarr to Prefer x265
Notes:
This guide will show you exactly how to bend Sonarr to your will. We will cover advanced Custom Formats, scoring systems, and a "prefer/upgrade to x265" workflow that automates your library conversion.
You can store almost twice as many episodes for the same disk space. Recommended Method: Custom Formats (Sonarr v4) : Ultra-HD
While the benefits are clear, a balanced essay must acknowledge the hardware requirements. x265 is computationally intensive to decode. While most modern streaming sticks (like Nvidia Shield or Fire Stick 4K) and smart TVs handle it natively, older devices may force a media server like or Jellyfin to "transcode" the video. This puts a heavy load on the server's CPU or GPU. Therefore, preferring x265 is most effective when your playback ecosystem is modern enough to support direct play. Conclusion
Many older or niche TV shows are only available in x264. New episodes often appear in x264 first (due to faster encoding speeds), with x265 releases following hours later.
Go to Settings > Custom Formats . Create a Format for x265: Add a new format and name it "x265/HEVC".