Find your newly created Prefer x265 format and assign it a positive score (e.g., up to +100 ).
If you already have a library mixed with x264 and x265, Sonarr struggles to "upgrade" them because it sees both as 1080p. To force upgrades: sonarr prefer x265
: A CLI utility that can be integrated with Sonarr and Radarr as a custom script, converting newly downloaded files to formats that support direct playback on your media server. Find your newly created Prefer x265 format and
Go to Settings > Custom Formats . Create a Format for x265: Add a new format and name it "x265/HEVC". Go to Settings > Custom Formats
The visual quality of your media library depends heavily on release profiles. Configuring Sonarr to prefer x265 (HEVC) video files allows you to maximize your storage capacity without sacrificing visual fidelity.
If you plan to build a 4K library, TRaSH Guides strongly recommends sticking to their "Golden Rule" by using x265 exclusively for 4K content. For 1080p and lower, they maintain a preference for x264 to ensure maximum quality from source-level encodes. For a fully managed approach, consider using tools like Recyclarr to automatically sync TRaSH Guide configurations.
For users running Sonarr to automate their TV show libraries, prioritizing this format is a game-changer. This guide explains how to configure Sonarr to prefer x265 releases automatically. Why Prefer x265 in Your Media Pipeline?