I mean something free or cheap or easily accessible.

I just cramped 6 starwars,3 LOTR 720p video(about 24 hrs playtime) to 4.37 GB with 8bit x265, recordable on a single DVD. Video bit rate about 400-380Kb/sec, audio 40-48kb/sec, at medium to slow preset with 2-passes. Not fantastic quality but quite watchable on a 15" laptop. Lack colour depth; would 10bit help?