bigger raws are so much easier to work with, for the encoder anyway.

Typically bigger raws have less artifacting and just generally look better (though it still depends on the original signal, the capper's settings, and the quality of the cappers hardware). What's really a pain is when you have to work with a 120-150 meg raw for a somewhat high action series. That's a HUGE bitch.

Op/Ed song translations aren't easy, but they're not insanely hard either.