Sonarr Review

Last Updated: Jan 27, 2022

Sonarr Review
Rating4 Stars
Pricefree
Retention500 Days
Free TrialNone
FeaturesPVR That Automatically Downloads Video Files
Fully Integrable With NZB Downloaders
Reads RSS Feeds

Formerly known as NZBDrone, Sonarr is a PVR that allows you to download video files from Usenet automatically. Sonarr can fully be integrated with other newsreaders and NZB downloaders, allowing users of programs like NZBGet and SABnzbd to conveniently and automatically get the video files that they want. Once you set Sonarr up, you really don’t have to do much to get your shows. It will keep looking for them and downloading them as they become available.

Sonarr has several helpful features to help you on managing your downloads and monitoring upcoming releases and eventually automate the downloading process.

What we especially like about Sonarr is that it is actively being updated and developed. As of writing contributors are still actively making changes and fixe on their github page as of 2022. According to their website, the latest version, Sonarr V3, is available across multiple platofrms and updating instructions from Sonarr V2 to V3 are given.

Highlighted Features

If you are very much into downloading video files, then Sonarr would be a very good fit for you. It provides Usenet downloaders the convenience of not having to manually download files and even organizing these video contents properly. It has several features that allow you to just sit back and relax and let the program do its thing while you just simply wait for the video files that you need to become available.

  • Supports multiple platforms
    • Windows, MacOS, and Linux
    • Including FreeBSD and Raspberry PI
  • Manual Search Option
    • Manually find releases, choose the one you want and send it to your download client
Sonarr Manual Search
  • Automatic Failed Download Handling
    • Automatic blacklisting of password protected releases or files with missing repair blocks.
    • It then continues to try another file until it finds one that works
Sonarr Automatic Download Fail Blacklist
  • Reads RSS Feeds
    • Downloads latest content related to that feed
  • Calendar Feature
    • One convenient location for upcoming releases

In 2015, Sonarr switched to using Tvdb from Trakt because of compatibility problems with collecting metadata. Sonarr aggregates data from a number of different sources, including TVDB, TVRage and TMDB. With these platforms, Sonarr is able to provide its users with sufficient details on a specific video file, including the number of current releases and synopsis.

Sonarr Seriesdetails Sonarr Table

To be able to use Sonarr securely with Usenet, enabling SSL encryption would be the best thing to do to keep your download activity anonymous. However, if you will be using this software with Torrent downloads, we suggest that you look into using a VPN service.

Plans & Pricing

While Sonarr is completely free to download and use, its developers encourage donations so that they can continue updating the program and provide good support.

You can donate to Sonarr with Bitcoin or by becoming a financial contributor via Open Collective. On Open Collective, you have the option to do a one time contribution of $2 or a recurring contribution as a backer, flexible sponsor or sponsor, which costs from $2 a month to $25.

Usage Overview

Sonarr is a straightforward piece of software with no fuss and frills. It has a simple and modern-looking interface that can easily be navigated through and contains several features that enhance the whole Usenet downloading experience. While the installation process varies depending on the operating system of your device, Sonarr can run on popular platforms like Windows, Mac and Linux. It also has several configurable settings that can be customized according to a user’s preference.

Installation

Sonarr maintains packages for Windows, MacOS and Debian/ Ubuntu. It can also work on other systems, including Raspberry PI and FreeBSD.

For Windows:

  • Download the latest version of Sonarr from https://sonarr.tv
  • Extract the zip file into your target directory. Use a folder that Sonarr process would have to write access to (DO NOT use C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86))
  • Run NzbDrone.exe once as administrator to register the port and URL with Windows (Required for remote access)
  • Manually start Sonarr by running Nzbdrone.exe or ServiceInstall.exe to install Sonarr as a Windows service.
  • Open http://localhost:8989 in your browser

For Mac:

  • Download latest version of Sonarr’s OSX package
  • Open the archive and drag the Sonarr icon to your Application folder.
    • Note: In macOS 10.12+ Gatekeeper App Translocation will prevent Sonarr run directly from the Downloads folder from updating
  • Open Sonarr.app
  • You should now be able to access Sonarr at http://localhost:8989
    • Note: If you receive the message “The application Sonarr can’t be opened,” run chmod +x /Applications/Sonarr.app/Contents/MacOS/Sonarr, and try opening it again.

You can also use Homebrew Cask when installing Sonarr on your Mac device.

  • $ brew cask install sonarr
  • Open Sonarr from your applications folder
  • Access Sonarr at localhost:8989

For Linux:

  • Add Sonarr’s repository to your software source
    • sudo apt-key adv –keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com –recv-keys 0xA236C58F409091A18ACA53CBEBFF6B99D9B78493
    • echo “deb http://apt.sonarr.tv/ master main” | sudo tee/etc/apt/sources.list.d/sonarr.list
  • Install/ Update Sonarr
    • sudo apt update
    • sudo apt install nzbdrone
  • Start Sonarr
    • mono–debug /opt/NzbDrone/NzbDrone.exe
  • Open your browser
    • http://localhost:8989

You can check out Sonarr’s wiki to find installation processes for other platforms.

For those with older versions of Sonarr, updating instructions are also available on the Sonarr website. As previously mentioned, the current version is at Sonarr V3. For Windows, however, Sonarr V3 no longer supports Windows XP. Also, according to thier site they no longer maintain Windows 7 suppport but should still work for that Windows version.

Configuration

Sonarr allows you to customize the profile quality of the video files you are looking for. You can set the resolution and also enter the cut-off details on this section.

Sonarr Customizable Profile Quality

And to do remote access, you would need to “enable remote access” on the preferences menu of your Mac device. For Windows, you would have to run the .exe file as administrator to register the port and URL.

Scheduling & Automation

As previously mentioned, Sonarr has a calendar feature which is a convenient way of monitoring upcoming video releases. These releases can conveniently be found in one location, giving users more freedom to do other things without having to constantly remind themselves if the videos they’re waiting for are about to come out.

Sonarr Tv Calendar

Sonarr also an “add notification” function for other applications.

Sonarr Notifications

Usability

Sonarr has a visually appealing interface that can be enjoyed by users of different platforms. The crisp and clean look of the software provides a pleasant experience for downloads to explore the program, manually search for files, monitor upcoming releases, and easily automate downloads.

Video files can be viewed in several ways through either multiple posters or a specific video overview that includes a short description of the content and even file quality.

Sonarr also provides frequent updates to its users to keep them on the loop on what’s happening with the software. Its developers also provide enough support for any questions or queries. The Sonarr wiki page is especially helpful for new users and even for veterans who have troubleshooting questions.

You can also explore other means for support like their forum, IRC channel, Discord and Sonarr subreddit.

Sonarr Frequent Updates

Conclusion

Sonnar is a good piece of software that helps in finding, organizing, and downloading video files. You can enjoy the full potential of this program by integrating it with popular NZB downloaders like NZBGet and SABnzbd. You can also explore other top newsreaders and downloaders to see if Sonarr can be integrated in their program.

Sonarr is a popular Usenet product for good reason. With its features that provide a lot of convenience for Usenet downloaders, Sonarr has established itself as a very good add-on program that you should consider using to enhance your downloading experience.

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