Try visiting this site useful informations and guides from avi to mpeg and mp4 http://www.doom9.org/ good luck.
I would highly recommend TPMGenc products. I have used them and find that they are the most reliable. There is a free version of one of their products that you can download and try out. This program allows you to cut & join mpeg files and also allows you to convert most file formats to MPG/VCD/DVD format. http://www.tmpgenc.net/
haha how is virtual dub easy. It's like taking an extra class just to use it. doom9.org is really biased towards virtualdub. Everyone there loves it. I guess it is the most stable but requires learning. I had a program before where I just move the scroll bar and it cuts it. So simple. Virtual makes you convert the sound and all this other junk blah blah haha. Thanks I'll try the tmpgenc!
Ha Ha HA Ha Ha Ha HA Ha Ha Ha HA Ha Ha Ha HA Ha Ha Ha HA Ha Ha Ha HA Ha Advantages of VirtualDub - freeware - as you said stable - definitely versatile Yes , I do have to admit that it might not be as simple as single click coversions. Personally, I am used to using Virtual dub and I like it a lot. I have not used TMPEGenc , but all the reviews are good . I think its simpler to use too. Its not a freeware though. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!