Converting .avi or .wmv files to mpeg format
 

Does anyone know of a free download or a way to convert .avi or .wmv files to mpeg format?

Try Tmpgenc if you want to create MPEG-1 files.

Some CD burning software like Nero can create MPEG-1 video as well.

Thanks, it was my father who was after this, as he wants to convert files to mpegs so they will play on a DVD player

There are guides for converting video files to DVD at Videohelp.com.

You might need to convert the video to MPEG-2/SVCD and use one of the programs described there to author the disc. MPEG-1/VCD doesn't always work on DVD players.