Windows 7: Need GOOD Movie Maker Program

I need a GOOD Movie Maker Program. My setup is Windows 7 64-bit with 12 GB RAM and 24" Flat Panel Monitor. The Windows Movie Maker Program that came with the computer appears to only import files in AVI format and appears to only BURN to DVD in WMV format.
Here is what I am trying to do. I have many old VCR tapes of family events. I bought a converter box that lets me convert VCR tapes onto DVD's. I also have a newer camcorder that records on Mini-tapes. I can use the firewall cable and import those directly into the computer with Windows Movie Maker but as previously mentioned they get saved on the HD as AVI files ONLY.
My goal is to be able to take all those files and cut/paste whatever pieces of each individual files that I want, reorder them in whatever order I want (probably chronologically) and then splice them together to make a movie. Finally I want to be able to burn these movies to DVD in whatever format I want (not just WMV as Windows Movie Maker insists on)
I already have the following programs on my machine. (All came in the machine)
Windows DVD maker
Windows Movie Maker
Roxio Easy CD & DVD Burning

I don't mind putting in some time to learn a new program but I don't want to find out that I wasted my time because the program just can't do what I want it to do. Any advice or which movie maker program to get/use would be greatly appeciated. If one of the programs that I listed above already does everything that I said I wanted to do, then don't hesitate to write back, call me an IDIOT and tell me which program does what I want.

Thanks again,
Da-Log
(soon to be Movie Maker Da-Log)

For AVIs...let me recommend virtualdub to slice up larger segments. There are good tutorials to be found on line.

To merge them all in the order you want, with some transitions, effects, titles, and credits ..I suggest looking at Sony Vegas--either the home (called platinum I think) or pro models. Sony uses DVD Architect to burn--you'll render out to an MPEG first using a DVD template in Vegas. I am not sure if you have to purchase architect separately--it came bundles with my version of Vegas Pro 9.

Pinnacle Studio is ok too and really simple to learn. Lots of people used to have problems,,,but if your computer is up to snuff, I'd recommend it before anything else to a beginner. The steps to get a completed DVD are really intuitive, but with Vegas at least the Pro version for sure, there is a moderate learning curve.

What about HandBrake?

There are many options.beyond whats already been mentioned:

As far as full suites, Power Producer from Cyberlink may also be a canadate to check into. Although I do not know much about it. i believe this app is capable of doing all your asking for, although it is a program you must purchase.

Nero is also capable of the same thing. Through its NeroVision program.
Also a paid program.

Another option: As far as taking a raw file and converting to DVD, one of the easiest most versatile apps is ConvertXtoDVD.
It can take most any format, avi,mkv,mp4,wmv, and many others and convert and burn to DVD complete with title menus. It does a fairly good job too.
It will not allow you to alter each file however, only make a title and menu structure for the files you add making a dvd out of them.
You can also load each avi as a sep. title, each title having chapters, and burn to dvd that way.
You must purchase it however, but does have a 30 trial to test it first.

Other more complicated methods for authoring a file could be something like MEGUI.
You can cut videos into segments, and encode them however you like. Then splice everything together to make on file. Youll have the option of saving as a MP4,MKV,M2TS,AVi or whatever you choose.

You can even upscale each DVD to 720P or 1080P if you desire, and set it for AVCHD compatable mode. the result can be burned to a DVD or DL-DVD using IMGBURN for playback in a Bluray player as HD video.
you can basically do anything you want.

I believe HANDBRAKE is similair and capable of the same, but i am not 100% sure.

This works well, and is free but will be rather difficult & time consuming to learn if you know little about the encoding process. Every step must be done manually, down to creating and editing the scripts for encoding.

You will still need something to convert the file to DVD format however to burn as a regualr DVD.

Since video production is my line of work, I strognly recomend for a beginner, Sony Vegas Studio very cheap, or for profesionals Sony Vegas Pro, Vegas Estudio has most of the capabilities of that the Pro version but a lot cheaper.
Other porgrams like Final Cut Pro or Premiere are too complicated and the flow in Vegas is for creators not for engineers

Sincerly M Lagsbartt