Codec pack

An excellent resource for complete list of codecs in one easy installable package - lite, medium and full versions available.
www.codecguide.com - download the k-lite codec pack.

Convert wmv to AVI

I use TMPGEnc - use File -> Output to File and chose AVI.

I sometimes have re-encode the audio for it to work on the Linktheater and I use VirtualDub for that.

Joining (and fixing?) mpegs

Had some mpegs that had been split from a bit mpeg and couldn't seem to fix them or merge them with anything - virtualdub complained about incorrect video and audio.
I use mpg joiner to merge them which seemed to fix the problems as well.

http://www.321slideshow.com/mpg-joiner.htm

Install it in a v-m with undo disks tho', it has a 30 day trial period. Or buy of course....

AVI resize options

Handy filter for VirtualDub - uses internal filter but with more user friendly interface: http://neuron2.net/resize.html

Also AutoGK does it pretty simply.

On the linktheater, it doesn't seem to want to play anything over 720px wide so for any rips over this you'll need to resize to 720.