wanting to speed up encoding

don't use h.264, it takes for ever without really nice hardware. use a different setting in handbreak, also just do it from the dvd, don't make an iso of it, unless you need it for something special.

 

Actually the best thing to do is rip multiple DVDs via Mac the Ripper and set them up in a queue in Handbrake and just leave it too crunch its way through them.

 

ohh thats cool, I just learned something neat. thanks.

 

Using the queue on Handbrake is def the way to go. Just be sure to use 2-pass encoding while you're at it.

How important is file size to you? Video quality? Play around with a few settings until you get a compromise that works for you. I prefer to lower the resolution a bit for lower-bitrate (ie: less than 500k/s) encodings. Setting audio bitrate to something like 80k/s is a good way to lower file size too. Maybe not for for an audio experience like Forrest Gump or The Matrix, but 80k/s audio is probably just fine for Harold and Kumar.