Best way to convert .m2t to Apple TV using handbrake

[nashmarkt]

I have extracted all my HD home movies into .m2t format and now I like to convert them to a format that Apple TV can playback. The only criteria in this conversion is quality should be high. I tried Handbrake (on MAC) and chose the High Profile setting (I assumed it will give me the best quality). The files which are .m4v play fine on Apple TV but I there are some questions:
This process produces about 6gb per hour of Video. So 12gb per hour converts to 6gb per hour. Does it sound right?

Picture setting on Handbrake says the following:
Source 1440x1080, Output: 1440x1080, Anamorphic: 1920x1080 Loose, Modulus: 2, Crop: Auto 0/0/0/0
Picture filters: Decomb (Default)
Framerate is set to "Same as Source" & Variable Framerate is checked.
Video Quality is "Constant quality RF:20

I addition this process takes about 3-4 hours per hour of video (on a high end Mac Book with SSD and with 8 GB memory). Does this also sound normal. I am a bit novice when it comes to details of video attributes.

I will not be doing much editing but If I wanted to edit the footage at which step should I do that?
I really appreciate your help.

NR

[enim]

Hope all your settings confirms to Hi10P profile. If so, it should not be a problem in any.
I do not use Handbrake.

[nashmarkt]

what is Hi10P profile?

[enim]

what is Hi10P profile?

I now completely drunk, pardon me.
Where am I? I guess, searching on internet.

[Baldrick]

Try edit the video source m2t if possible. Especially if you are planning adding any transitions, etc that requires video reconverting.

[nriahi]

Thanks for pointing that our. I read about Hi10p but still not sure about how to use it in Handbrake.

[enim]

keep in mind, though Hi10p supports sample depth up to 10bits, Blu ray players and HDTVs support only up to 8 bits, HiP that's what you are looking for.

[jagabo]

Forget Hi10p. Handbrake won't produce it and your AppleTV won't play it. As far as I know, there are no standalone players that can play Hi10p.

Use the Normal preset in Handbrake if you want faster encoding. Quality (at the same bitrate) will be a little lower. If you want more quality (large file) use a lower RF setting. For lower quality (smaller file) use a higher RF setting.