What is a profile
A profile controls what file qualities you want for a series, it lets you decide whether or not you want SDTV or HDTV only and if you eventually want episodes in DVD or Bluray. Sonarr ships with a few default profiles, but you're able to edit and create your own to match your preferences. Sonarr uses your profile when considering a release for grabbing.
What makes a profile?
A profile is a ranked list of qualities, along with a 'cutoff' quality.
Allowed
An allowed quality is one that is acceptable for Sonarr to download. If the box next to a quality is checked, that quality is allowed.
Cutoff
Select the cutoff ranking from the dropdown menu. This ranking is corresponding to an entry in 'Qualities' ranking selected below.
Once a file on your disk meets or exceeds this cutoff ranking, Sonarr will stop looking for upgrades to your existing file.
Qualities (Ranking)
Drag the qualities so that they are arranged with your most-desired quality at the top of the list, and your least-desired quality at the bottom of the list. Advanced settings must be shown to reorder the qualities.
Sonarr will download any allowed quality, and continue to upgrade the file on your disk if a new release is found that is higher ranked within your profile.
Examples
In all examples the preference for quality is top down (qualities higher in the list are more preferred).
SDTV
Default SDTV profile.
Allowed
DVD
SDTV
Cutoff
SDTV
Scenario 1
No existing file exists. When Sonarr finds a release for this episode it will accept either SDTV or DVD, any other quality is rejected.
Scenario 2
Existing file is SDTV. If a DVD release is found it will be rejected because the cutoff has already been met.
Scenario 3
No existing files exists. A search is performed and both SDTV and DVD are available, Sonarr will grab the DVD release because it is the best allowed quality.
HDTV 720p
Default HDTV 720p profile.
Allowed
Bluray 720p
WEBDL 720p
HDTV 720p
Cutoff
WEBDL 720p
Scenario 1
No existing file exists. if Sonarr finds a WEBDL 720p release it would grab it.
Scenario 2
Existing file exists at HDTV 720p. If a Bluray720p release is found it will be grabbed because the cutoff has not been met
Scenario 3
Existing file exists at WEBDL 720p. If a Bluray720p release is found it will not be grabbed because the cutoff has been met.
Advanced Examples
These examples show the power of a quality profile that has had the quality orders adjusted, they should only be used if you understand the pros and cons of this action.
HDTV with DVD archive
Want to watch in HDTV 720p the first time, but want to save disk space when archiving the file for later watching.
Allowed
DVD
HDTV 720p
Cutoff
DVD
Scenario 1
No existing file exists. HDTV 720p release found and grabbed.
Scenario 2
Existing file exists at HDTV 720p. DVD release is available and is grabbed because it is more desired than the HDTV 720p release.
Scenario 3
No existing file exists. Episode is searched and both HDTV 720p and DVD are available, DVD release is grabbed because it is preferred.