Pirates Caribbean 2.04GB - Is that too large? + Setting Help

[helixomnimedia]

Hello,

Yesterday I thought I'd start to rip some DVDs to iTunes so I can watch them on my AppleTV since I now have a lot of spare time (just graduated uni)...

Anyway I started with Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl - it took 13 hours to do (i really need to get a MacBook Pro), the finished ripped movie is 2.04GB is that too large?
I looked at the information for the movie on the iTunes Music Store and there is a clear difference.

Ripped Version: Size: 2.04GB Runtime: 2.17.18

iTunes MS Version: Size: 1.64GB Runtime: 2.23.10

I used the following Handbrake Settings, but I'm not sure if they are right.
Handbrake Settings
File Format: MP4 file
Codecs: AVC/H.264 Video/AAC Audio
Create Chapter Marks: Ticked
Average Bitrate: 2000
Picture Setting Input: 720x576
Picture Setting Output: 640x368

I don't know if the settings above are right or not. I'd like good quality but not a large file size - if that's possible.
Does anyone know what settings Apple use for their movies?

Thanks for any information and help, its really appreciated.

[Magnus]

with a higher bitrate the movie will be bigger.
I dont know the bitrate the others used, but i guess less than 2000 (something like 1500 for the filesize)...
May you can see it by klicking on properties, if you have the other version too...

[TheBum]

2.04GB sounds about in the right ballpark. I encode mine at 2500 kbps and a 2-hour movie is typically around 2.2GB.

I would suggest using the built-in presets, although if you want to decrease the bitrate to 2000 you probably won't see too much of a degradation.