Windows 7 - Simplest program to convert file to avi with subs

Please recommend me the simplest program which can convert any kind of video file to avi with the ability to read a subtitle file and either soft-embed it into the avi file or hardsub it into the actual frames.

I prefer a native x64 program so that I don't lose processing power.

Thanks!

I prefer the program alltoavi, which can be downloaded here: AllToAvi Home
The program is dated to some years ago (~2006). I have runned it and have experienced some trouble with it. Make sure you have compatibility mode and run as administrator turned on. With that, there isn't any problem. The installer doesn't need to run with compatibility mode.

Now, it isn't a 64 bit program but I'm pretty sure it will work fine. The program is pretty quick though it takes maybe 10 minutes to learn how to use it.

(Are you desiring avi files because you know windows 7 can natively support avi files? If you really have any other file types, there are codecs that you can use. Sure, they aren't as good as the native codecs, but at least they can work. Thumbnailing them can be a chore, but if you know how to configure it correctly, it shouldn't be difficult.)

I've heard good things about
Format Factory - Video software and downloads - VideoHelp.com

But I don't use one tool for conversion. I've found a few good ones but it depends on the source format. For DVD to avi I like AutoGK. It autocrops and does a good job in 1 pass. But the subtitling you need to do afterward. For selectable subs in a divx stand-alone dvd player I use AviAddXSubs.

All the tools above can be found on
VideoHelp.com - Forum, Guides, Tools and hardware lists

Could not be easier than with Format Factory - just 3 steps. Here is a 3 minute video tutorial I made that will show you. Format factory tutorial on Vimeo

Watch out for format factory!!! It will install many codecs into your computer.....If you ever want to uninstall it, or if your codecs are a mess, you are up for a real job.....
Sure, it has a nice simplistic interface, but be aware of the side effects of using this program.

Yep AlltoAvi seems like a simple solution, only thing I'm worried if I will suffer from a performance penalty because it's not a native 64 bit program. I've heard that video encoding is one of the few programs where being native 64 bit and not makes a noticeable difference. My processor is just a 2.4 Mobile C2D. For me quality isn't important at all. This is because I'm converting the files to be played on the Wii. Avi plays the most smoothly. Mkv is jerky and rmvb won't play. So again quality is not important. Mpeg is not preferable because I can't embed subtitle into the file. The program I use in the Wii has a problem loading soft subs in a separate file.

I guess this is the best though.

I've been pretty happy with Xmedia recode and there's even a portable version which works just great too.
Download XMedia Recode 2.2.1.

....and it's free.

My option is HandBrake . I've tried a lot of programs ... later I understood it is h246 that doesnot compromise with quality. Among all the guis that use h264 codec, handbrake is the easiest to operate. Otherwise regarding output quality, GordianKnot, AutoGK, VirtualDubMod, NanDub etc are not of more difference

@fatedquest I would take a look on

Tools - Video software and downloads - VideoHelp.com

since there are a lot of converters and other tools designed specifically for various playback platforms. I don't know that much about them because all I have other than stand-alone DVD players and PC is a WD HDTV for USB set top box. But I'd look at the converter list for something close to what you are using to play them back. Esp. subtitles is usually the fly in the ointment. Also there's a forum on that site with a Subtitles sub forum that may be helpful.

Hi Miles Ahead !
Dont mind, I am modding your link a bit
DVD to AVI/DivX/XviD - Video software and downloads - VideoHelp.com