: Smaller files mean faster downloads and less stress on your internet data caps.
Let’s review how Sonarr behaves with a score of for x265. sonarr prefer x265
This article was originally published for the /r/sonarr and /r/DataHoarder communities. Always verify your local copyright laws before automating downloads. : Smaller files mean faster downloads and less
Head into your Sonarr settings and let the automation do the heavy lifting. Do you need the specific JSON snippets Always verify your local copyright laws before automating
By implementing this "Prefer but not Mandatory" strategy, your Sonarr instance will slowly, intelligently, and automatically upgrade your library to x265. Your hard drives will thank you, your electricity bill will drop (less spinning rust), and your users will never notice the difference—unless they try to watch on a 2014 Smart TV, in which case, tell them to buy a Fire Stick.
x265, also known as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), is a video compression standard designed to succeed H.264/AVC (x264). It offers significantly better compression efficiency than its predecessor, meaning it can store or stream video at a much smaller file size without a noticeable decrease in video quality. This efficiency is crucial for media enthusiasts who want to save on storage costs and bandwidth without sacrificing video quality.
x265 is a mathematically denser codec. Many client devices (smart TVs, older streaming sticks, tablets) do not have hardware decoding for x265. When this happens, your media server (Plex, Jellyfin, Emby) must transcode the file on-the-fly to a codec the client can play—usually back to x264.