Hi

Try TMPGEnc. Get it at http://www.tmpgenc.net/ Its free and will convert avi, mpg etc to VCD, SVCD, DVD compliant files in PAL or NTSC. You can also use this program to edit out credits etc.

What I really like is that you have the option to set your own data rate to fit more on a disc (at lower quality obviously) but still a nice feature. Nero is good, but doesn't let you play with data rates.