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
: HEVC is the standard for 4K and HDR content, making your library ready for modern playback devices. Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Preference in Sonarr v4 sonarr prefer x265
If you are still on v3, you use instead of Custom Formats. Prefer x265 files? - Help & Support - sonarr :: forums While the benefits are clear, a balanced essay