Converting WMV's to AVI's?

[billyireland]

Okay, so I got a 17" G4 PowerBook about 2 or so months ago with a DVD driver, and have built up a stock of pretty funny video clips and the like (clips of Conan, Chappelle's Show, random video footage, etc) that I have had some mates asking me to rip onto DVD for them (in exchange for them buying me a pint or two, of course - which is always priceless for a broke-ass student).

I have been using Toast Titanium to burn DVDs, but I am having trouble with the WMV files, insomuch as they flat-out will not burn, because they are apparently an inappropriate file-type. So if anybody knows what I need to convert these WMV video files into AVI's, it would be most appreciated. :)

*Side note: If anybody is thinking of flaming me for downloading clips of these shows (and the 4th series of Family Guy, for that matter)... please don't. Over on this side of the water they have yet to show us the first episode of Family Guy, we only get about 70% of Conan episodes, have never gotten Chappelle's Show (or a DVD release, iirc) and the other stuff along those lines. It's not like I am downloading stuff that is easily accessible (and ftr, I am not a fan of downloading music whatsoever).

[Fleetwood Mac #1]

I use ArcSoft ShowBiz 2 (trial version here (http://www.arcsoft.com/support/downloads/demoversion.asp?title=16)) that came with the capture card.

If you decide to install the trial version just open it, Import Media File, add it to Storyboard, Export as Video Type AVI or DVD file (MPEG), hit Start and Save.

[billyireland]

I use ArcSoft ShowBiz 2 (trial version here (http://www.arcsoft.com/support/downloads/demoversion.asp?title=16)) that came with the capture card.

If you decide to install the trial version just open it, Import Media File, add it to Storyboard, Export as Video Type AVI or DVD file (MPEG), hit Start and Save.
Cheers... any idea if that helps bypass the 'encoding' process for writing the DVD? It's kind of an aside, but it is one kick in the nuts having to wait for several hours for the 'encoding' to finish.

[Fleetwood Mac #1]

I don't know what type of DVD you want to make out of them, one with the chapters, menus etc. that doesn't hold more than two hours of video or a data DVD. In any case it's gonna take some time to convert the files to other format and write them to DVDs. If you want to author a DVD I suggest exporting the WMV files to MPEG-2 ('DVD File' in ArcSoft) so they would be burn-ready and no re-encoding would be needed. For data DVDs converting them to AVI files with DivX codec would be good enough.

[billyireland]

I don't know what type of DVD you want to make out of them, one with the chapters, menus etc. that doesn't hold more than two hours of video or a data DVD. In any case it's gonna take some time to convert the files to other format and write them to DVDs. If you want to author a DVD I suggest exporting the WMV files to MPEG-2 ('DVD File' in ArcSoft) so they would be burn-ready and no re-encoding would be needed. For data DVDs converting them to AVI files with DivX codec would be good enough.
It's alright, ArcSoft only works for Windows it appears and I am on OSX. Thanks for the info though, should come in handy non-the-less for other files that I can change through Quicktime Pro 7 (only downside being that I can't load WMV files using Quicktime, but I'll find something to do it).

[Fleetwood Mac #1]

I could swear I've seen a mac version of the product somewhere, may not be a trialware though. Anyway, found this after some googling:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/20008

See if that works and Goodluck with the project.

[billyireland]

I could swear I've seen a mac version of the product somewhere, may not be a trialware though. Anyway, found this after some googling:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/20008

See if that works and Goodluck with the project.
That one did the trick... you sir, are a saint! Rep is coming your way. If you ever need a favour, feel free give me a shout.