Sonarr Prefer X265 < SECURE >

This specific custom format is highly

Creating the format does nothing until you attach it to a Profile. sonarr prefer x265

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This method uses simple "Must Contain" or "Preferred" logic. This specific custom format is highly Creating the

Review of Method A: This works, but it treats all x265 releases equally. It scores a 1GB high-quality HEVC release the same as a 150MB junk re-encode. This method uses simple "Must Contain" or "Preferred" logic

| Device | x265 playback | Notes | |---------------------------|---------------|-------| | PC (VLC, MPV, MPC-HC) | ✅ Perfect | Software decode works fine | | NVIDIA Shield / Apple TV | ✅ Perfect | Hardware decode | | Plex / Jellyfin direct stream | ✅ | Works if client supports HEVC | | Plex / Jellyfin transcode | ⚠️ Heavy | CPU transcoding x265 → h264 is very slow | | Old laptop (pre-2015) | ❌ Stutters | No hardware decode | | Roku / Fire Stick (basic) | ⚠️ Some work | Newer models OK | | Browser (Chrome/Safari) | ⚠️ Partial | Safari good; Chrome needs GPU support |

Biggest issue: If you remote stream and your client doesn’t support x265, your Plex server will transcode → high CPU usage.

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