Newbie needs help in choosing right program for cutting&conversion

[TDE2]

Hi!
I've recorded a TV broadcast using CyberLink (http://www.gocyberlink.com/english/index.jsp)'s PowerCinema.
As you can imagine, it's quite a huge file I got (1 hour has roughly about 1.4 GB).

Now, I'd like to cut out all advertisements and then convert the movie to half (or even a fourth of) its current file size, so I can burn it onto a CD.

My problem is that I don't know which programs I actually need.
I tried AutoGK, but it can't load the movie (.avi) file, so PowerCinema probably didn't use MPEG-2, which I understand is the only thing AGK can handle.

Additionally, all guides I checked were only meant as instructions on how to back up DVDs and not so much about my problem. (I gave up checking rather quickly, though.) I'm not sure about this, but I suppose those back-up guides have little value for me with my problem...?

So, my question is:
Could anyone please direct me to the appropriate Guide and possibly tell me what programs I'll need? (I'd prefer free/OSS/GNU, if possible.) Also, I guess I'll have to use XviD or DivX as a codec?

Anyway: The easier the tools are to handle, the better. :)
(I'm a complete beginner when it comes to recording TV on computers...)

Thanks,
Christian

P.S.: I think I found a typo in the XviD/AGK-Guide (http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/autogk.htm). It reads: "as source in thi smode." (Step 2) It should probably read "as source in this mode."

[jon.schaffer]

So, if I understood correctly, you have a .avi file.
VirtualDubMod should be a good solution: it opens .avi and deals with several audio types.

1) If your file does not open then you're missing the codec. You lust know what type of codec has been used by your software (you can use GSpot for this). Then, you must have a correct codec to open .avi in VirtualDubMod - if it's not the case, you must find a "Video for Windows" (vfw) version of the codec that has been used for capturing (there are two "types" of codec: vfw & DirectShow - VirtualDubMod uses only the first one whereas you software may have used the second one...).

2) When the file is opened, you must set "Direct Stream Copy" in the "Video" menu in order not to recompress the video.

3) VirtualDubMob cannot cut a part (well... it can, but the sound may be de-synchronized). So: you must select and save a first section, then a second, etc. And then, you re-open the first and use the "append" command...

Hope this helps.

PS: VirtualDubMod is a freeware, GSpot too.

[TDE2]

Thank you ever so much, I'll go and try. :)