DVD questions....

I have an .avi file 703mb in size and I want to convert it to standard DVD format (MPEG2? or MPEG4?)... I've downloaded several apps to do this including AVI2DVD (seems complicated), an app called SUPER (haven't really looked at it yet) and a couple other from the Multimedia section here at MajorGeeks... during my research, I found that NeroVision Express 3 can supposedly do the conversion and the burning. Again, I haven't really tried this yet either. I guess what I'm looking for here is any tips, suggestions, or links to some free apps that will convert .avi to standard DVD format EASILY.
Also, what is standard DVD format (for a home DVD player)? I've read that it's MPEG2 and I've read MPEG4 and a friend said it's MPEG3. I'd also like to know if maybe the conversion isn't needed; if DVD players support .avi file playback. I have the movie on my PC and my girlfriend wants it on DVD to watch at home and she has no PC. I've also read that there's a loss in picture and sound quality when converting from .avi to DVD if you don't know all the technical info like aspect ratios, and encoding info, and so forth. If anyone can shed some light on this, I'd appreciate it. I know this post is a bit wordy, but I figured I should provide as much info as possible. I have Nero6 w/ all the other included Nero stuff (Showtime, VisionExpress, etc...)...
MUCH THANX IN ADVANCE

hopperdave2000

 

Hi!

I'm just learning this stuff myself, don't know if my thread will help you out or not, but here's a link to it if you'd like to have a peek......
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=113323

 

703mb in AVI format should take up far less space when converted to DVD format.
DVDs usually have two folders on them. AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS.
On a lot of DVDs, the audio folder is empty, and the video one has VOB files and BUP files. The VOB files are the video files, in MPEG2 format. The BUP files are I think the menus etc. On the DVDs created using Adobe software, there is no AUDIO_TS folder, but instead one called Open DVD. Not quite sure why, but they work ok.
I haven't found any loss in picture or sound quality when converting. In fact, uncompressed AVI seems grainy compared to the quality of a DVD.
You should be able to get just over an hour of video on a DVD without losing quality. 700 mb sounds like either a very short AVI clip, or a longer Windows Media Video clip (or similar).

 

It's a full length movie about 90min in length. I can play it with either XVid or WinDVD5.... I'm gonna mess around with some of the conversion tools I have after I check out the thread posted above. The movie is UnderWorld2 - Evolution, and my girlfriend is addicted to this movie!!!! Whenever she comes over, I have to stop whatever I'm doing on the PC and fire up XVid... I NEED it on a DVD !!!!!