The best .avi codec I've seen is the DivX. Maybe it would be good to get a little clarification. I'm under the impression, based on this statement - "It is for making dvds (not pirating) - that you are creating original source material to be converted for DVD usage. If that is correct, then your best bet is to render the material uncompressed and then, convert it to mpeg2. My understanding is that you can render uncompressed .avi files. I regularly use both "animation" and "DV" codecs for things going to DVD. I know they are both options through QuickTime but I dodn't know if they're available via the .AVI format. FWIW, I do it professionally, so I know(!) that works. Unfortunately I'm not as familiar with the .AVI format as with QuickTime so it's hard to make recommendations within that particular arena.

Before they made me they broke the mold!
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