Convert DV-AVI to WMV or MP4

[Black]

I have a ton of gigantic DV-AVI files that I need to convert to wmv or mp4 without noticeable loss in video and audio quality. I do it to get smaller file size. Since I am completely new to this I have no idea where to start so I wonder what software would suffice for my project?

Perhaps there is a guide somewhere with newbie-friendly step-by-step instructions I can follow?

Also, a kitten:

[lowellriggsiam]

Why not take your DV-AVI and either use dvix converter, or windows movie make and set the quality to the highest setting.

[Black]

Why not take your DV-AVI and either use dvix converter, or windows movie make and set the quality to the highest setting.

Both of those options will make the quality worse no matter what setting you put it at.

[aedipuss]

what's the purpose of the smaller files? what are you going to do with them? any conversion causes loss of quality.

[Black]

what's the purpose of the smaller files? what are you going to do with them? any conversion causes loss of quality.

I need to have smaller files so that online delivery to clients will not take such a long time.

[MOVIEGEEK]

You can't have the smallest file sizes and the best quality.
What you can do is find an acceptable median, for download/streaming I recommend using WMV/720x480(576 PAL)/2Mbps.

BTW: the photo of the kitten was a shameless and effective way at pulling our heartstrings.