AVI to MPEG conversion software

[We3he]

I was looking for a longer-lasting media than videotape to store my home videos on, and didn't want to spend 900 dollars on that new Panasonic DVD recorder. I thought I'd hit upon the perfect solution in VCD. With a CD-R recorder already in my computer and a purchase of a Dazzle Digital Video Creator 80 capture card and Stomp Click 'n Burn CD recording software(which says right on the package "Video CDs playable on most DVD players")I thought I was set. I downloaded some clips from my camcorder with the card, opened up Click 'N Burn and selected VCD. But when I dragged one of my files into the list it gave me a message "file soandso.AVI is not in the proper video CD format and has been skipped"
So far most people I have talked to say there is software available for free download on the internet that can let you convert AVI files to MPEG-1 files. My question is, where is this software and how can I get some?
My computer is an HP Pavillion 8670C with Windows 98, 500 MHz and about 22 of 27 GB free.

[DVWannaB]

I good low cost solution is TMPEG Encoder. Free download for 30 days, then I believe $25 to use it forever. It is slow as can be, but does a really good job. It handles VCD, SVCD and DVD and anything in between. To download it, click on the tools section on the left panel and find the section for video encoders. You will see others listed, and they are quite a bit more expensive.

I also like LSX. It is also very good and about 2x faster than TMPG. It costs $180 (although I got it for way way way less.... ). Contact them and you may be able to get lucky )

On the the high end there is Cinema craft encoder (CCE). Excellent, but goes for anywhere between about $300-$600, depending on which one you get.

Hope that helps.

[RaleighNC]

Yep. Above should cover it.

And I recommend using Nero for burning s/vcd.