Sonarr Review | Streamline Your TV Download Routine

Key Takeaways

• Sonarr, a leading Usenet and torrent manager, simplifies royalty-free digital content downloads.
• Designed with the user in mind, featuring robust fail-safe mechanisms.
• Gaining popularity rapidly as a top download management tool.
• Key driver for a smooth Usenet experience.

Features

Here’s a table with Sonarr features:

Feature	Description
Price	Free, with donations encouraged for development support.
Platform Availability	Supports multiple platforms including Windows, MacOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and Raspberry Pi.
Connection Support	Supports SSL encryption; VPN recommended for torrent downloads.
User Engagement	Community support through forums, IRC channel, Discord, and a Sonarr subreddit.
Compatibility – Download Clients	Fully integrable with newsreaders SabNZBD, NZBGet and torrent clients.
Compatibility – Indexers	Aggregates public domain data from sources such as TVDB, TVRage, and TMDB for metadata.
Settings	Offers customizable profiles and settings for video file quality preferences; remote access available.
Renaming files	Automatically renames downloaded, license-free, files according to customized naming schemes.
Organizing into folders	Sorts and stores non-copyrighted media content in designated folders based on series, season, and episode structure.
New episodes notifications	Provides alerts for new episodes of copyright-free tracked TV series, keeping the user updated on the latest releases.

Harness the power of Sonarr along with the versatility of NZB360 for a comprehensive pubic domain TV series downloading solution.

Easy of Use – Interface

The Sonarr interface is praised for its straightforward, no-nonsense design, presenting a simple and modern look that facilitates easy navigation. It consolidates numerous management functions into an organized dashboard, allowing users to manually search for unrestricted releases, monitor their download progress, and view upcoming open-source releases all in one place.

Furthermore, Sonarr’s crisp and clean aesthetic makes for a visually appealing user experience across different platforms, enhancing the overall usability of the software.

View videos via posters or detailed overviews with quality info. Sonarr offers updates and robust support, including a comprehensive wiki for all users. It is very similar to Radarr, same developers, as you can see in our Radarr review.

Supported Services

Here’s a list of the supported services by Sonarr:

Setting up Sonarr

Setting up Sonarr is a relatively straightforward process. Here’s a concise step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Download and Install Sonarr:
   • Visit the Sonarr website at https://sonarr.tv/#download and download the appropriate version for your operating system.
   • Follow the installation instructions for your specific OS.
2. Access Sonarr Web Interface:
   • Once installed, open a web browser and go to http://localhost:8989 to access the Sonarr web interface.
3. Configure Sonarr:
   • Upon first access, you will be prompted to set up Sonarr. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initial configuration, including setting up your media library and download client.
4. Add TV Shows:
   • Click on “Series” in the top menu and then “Add Series” to start adding your favorite license-free TV shows to Sonarr.
5. Integrate with Download Client:
   • In Sonarr, go to Settings > Download Clients and add your preferred download client (e.g., uTorrent, qBittorrent, SABnzbd).
6. Set Up Indexers:
   • Navigate to Settings > Indexers to add your preferred indexers for non-proprietary TV shows (e.g., Jackett, NZBHydra).
7. Link to Plex (Optional):
   • If you use Plex, you can link Sonarr to Plex for automatic royalty-free media updates. This step may vary depending on your specific setup.
8. Start Monitoring:
   • Once everything is set up, Sonarr will start monitoring your indexers for new non-copyrighted episodes and automatically download them based on your preferences.

Configuration

Here is a table with some of the most important configurations:

Configuration	Description
Video Quality	Sonarr allows users to customize the profile quality of the video files they’re looking for in terms of resolution.
Cutoff	In the profile settings, users can set a ‘cutoff’ which is the quality level at which Sonarr will stop searching for a higher quality version of a file.
Scheduling	The calendar feature in Sonarr provides a convenient way of monitoring upcoming, free-to-use, video releases in one location.
Automation	Sonarr automates the process of searching, downloading, and even handling failed downloads, with the ability to notify other applications.

To fully utilize Sonarr’s capabilities for Usenet downloads, a reliable Usenet provider such as UsenetServer, Newshosting, or Eweka is necessary to access the wealth of non-copyrighted TV content available.

Best Sonarr Indexers

The best NZB indexers for public domain TV shows, especially when using Sonarr, are NZBGeek, Drunken Slug, and NZBPlanet, known for their comprehensive libraries and reliable updates. These indexers are highly regarded in the Usenet community for their efficiency in indexing, offering users a wide range of content.

Usage

Sonarr streamlines the process of tracking and downloading your favorite royalty-free TV shows from Usenet by automating the entire process once properly configured. With its user-friendly interface and compatibility across multiple operating systems such as Windows, MacOS, and Linux, Sonarr provides a hassle-free setup for personal video recording (PVR) tasks.

The integration with major NZB downloaders and its ability to manage and organize unrestricted downloads enhances the overall user experience, making Sonarr an essential tool for Usenet enthusiasts looking to effortlessly maintain their video library.

Membership & Userbase

Sonarr does not offer a tiered membership structure, as it is a completely free application designed to manage and automate the download of open-source television shows. The developers of Sonarr encourage voluntary donations to support ongoing development and maintenance, but all features are available to all users without payment.

As Sonarr is a free service, there are no membership levels to list in a table. All users have access to the same full functionality of Sonarr without any cost.

Alternatives for Sonarr

The main alternatives to Sonarr and CouchPotato are SickChill and Medusa, both of which offer similar functionality for automating non-copyrighted TV show downloads and organization. While Sonarr and SickChill both automate free-to-use TV show management, Sonarr stands out with its more user-friendly interface and comprehensive support for different platforms.

On the other hand, Medusa, compared to Sonarr, offers a higher degree of customization and flexibility, particularly in terms of user-specific search settings and interface personalization. Additionally, Radarr is a popular choice for those looking to manage Commons Cinematography in a similar fashion to how Sonarr handles TV shows.

Support & Community

Sonarr provides several support options, ensuring users can find help through various channels such as a forum, Wiki, IRC channel, Discord, and a dedicated subreddit. For more detailed guidance and solutions to common problems, users can also refer to the extensive Sonarr wiki page, which serves as a comprehensive resource for both newcomers and experienced users alike.

Frequently Asked Questions