How can a "Video for Windows" file (.vfw) be converted to mpeg?

I was able to find a zip file from a now defunct site that allows you
to convert from vfw to mpeg.  You can email me to get the file or go
to http://web.archive.org/web/20050314102133/http://home.cogeco.ca/~avi2vcd/mpeg_a.htm
and click on the avimpg1 download link.  I hope this answers your
question.

I used the avi2vcd program and still no luck.  I get the following error message:

"...does not have acceptable parameters or cannot be opened."

vfw is not the extension. the extension is actually .avi   You need a
simple avi to mpeg converter.
http://www.winmpg.com/

enjoy!

As ringringster-ga said, the actual file type is .avi.  Another
program I found that could do this is the "AVI to MPEG Contevter" by
Dragonsoft.  Although it is a paid program, it allowy you to run it 30
times without registering.  I tried the program with an avi file on my
computer and it worked.  If you disklike having the word unregistered
plaster all over your video you can try one (or many) of the following
programs. (http://www.flydragonsoft.com/convert-avi-mpeg.htm)

-AVI to MPG Converter (http://www.winavi.com/avi-to-mpg.htm)
**Recommended Program**
-AVI to MPEG Converter 8.72
(http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Multimedia_and_Graphics/MPEG_Audio_Players_and_Editors/AVI_to_MPEG_Converter.html)
-Fx MPEG Writer 8.2.4
(http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Multimedia_and_Graphics/Graphics_Editors/Fx_MPEG_Writer.html)
-YASA AVI MPEG Converter 3.1.53
(http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Multimedia_and_Graphics/Misc__Graphics_Tools/YASA_AVI_MPEG_Converter.html)
-Magic Video Batch Converter 3.5.1
(http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Multimedia_and_Graphics/Video_and_Animation_Tools/Magic_Video_Batch_Converter.html)
-4U AVI MPEG Converter 1.2.0
(http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Multimedia_and_Graphics/Video_and_Animation_Tools/4U_AVI_MPEG_Converter.html)
-Boilsoft AVI to VCD/SVCD/DVD Converter 1.01
(http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Multimedia_and_Graphics/Video_and_Animation_Tools/Boilsoft_AVI_to_VCD_SVCD_DVD_Converter.html)
-Easy AVI Converter 1.01
(http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Multimedia_and_Graphics/Video_and_Animation_Tools/Easy_AVI_Converter.html)
- ImTOO AVI MPEG Converter Review (http://www.soft32.com/download_77422.html)
-AVI to MPEG Converter (http://www.avi-to-dvd.net/avi-to-mpeg.shtml)

Finally, you can use Avi2Mpeg
(http://www.geekshop.be/rien/avi2mpeg/?page=download) if a perl script
is you thing.  If not, please try the above list of programs.  I hope
this time these programs will answer your question.

I've tried using avi2vcd, Main Concept, and one other and the result
has been the same.  The file plays perfectly in Windows Media Player. 
When I try to encode it using Sony DVD Architect (to make a video
compilation), it tells me the stream attributes cannot be determined. 
The log file from the failed avi2vcd conversion is as follows:

[Avi2vcd 1.4.3 encode log file]
Operating System: Windows XP
Version: 5.1
Build Number: 2600
CSD Version: Service Pack 2
DirectX Version: 9.0c
CPU Vendor: Intel
    Model: Unknown
    L2 Cache Size: 1M
    Stepping: 4
    MMX Capable: Yes, SSE Capable: Yes, SSE2 Capable: Yes, OS SSE Capable: Yes
    Speed: 3199 MHz (approximate)
    Number of processors: 2
    Installed Memory: 2048 MB (approx)
 
Source file: C:\Documents and Settings\Mark J. Burke\My Documents\My
Videos\5th Dimension - Age of Aquarius (Ed Sullivan 1969).mpg
Source file is 44 Mb
Source File Details:

ERROR: DirectShow could not open source file to validate parameters.

VFW DETAILS:
ERROR: VFW Could not retrieve a video frame to determine details
    ERROR: Could not open source file to validate parameters.
 
    Could not open file with Video-For-Windows API!
 
 Could not open file with either DirectShow or VFW API!!
Input video could not be opened or does not have acceptable parameters

Have you tried the AVI to MPG Converter
(http://www.winavi.com/avi-to-mpg.htm).  Are you getting the same
error as the one you refered to in the second post?

Additionally, I am assuming that you have Vegas by Sony which includes
DVD authoring software.  What version do you have?  What is the exact
error?  I hope the answers to these questions will more readily allow
me to answer your question.

Finally, have you tried to just directly encode and burn the AVI to
DVD in Vegas+DVD?  Please provide me with more infomration about the
specific product you are using.  On
(http://www.custcenter.com/cgi-bin/sonypictures.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=497&p_created=1043301600&p_sid=_lR9bmQh&p_lva=547&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTcxJnBfcHJvZHM9MTcsMzA0JnBfY2F0cz05NSwyNjgmcF9wdj0yLjMwNCZwX2N2PTIuMjY4JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1hdmkgdG8gRFZE&p_li=&p_topview=1)
I was able to find out that Sony DVD Architect will allow you to burn
directly from AVI.  Whay don't you use that method to create the DVD
and one of the thrid party programs above to make an MPEG if you want
to display it on a website.

One final Note:
The log file makes it seem like you are trying to convert from a MPEG
not an AVI.  Am I correct in saying that you want to convert from AVI
to MPEG and then to DVD? I would recommend that you use a graphical
interface program to rid you of any confusing caused by a command line
program.  Such a program would be Main Concept or the product I
mentioned in the above post.

Sorry for all of the multipe posts, I keep finding more info.

Since I am not a researcher, I can't help you that much more on the
quesiton because I don't think you can pay me. (all questions must be
answered by researchers).  If I am incorrect in my thinking please
post a message below.  I will answer one more question and that is all
I can do.  I spent a long time working and finding out about your
question.  You could reask thw question with a higher payment or
research it yourself.  Finally, if you want to pay me at all for my
time, send me a paypal payment to will.shepherdson@gmail.com

Sorry I couldn't be more of a help.

Will

Try renaming the file to .avi from .vfw and opening it in the program
called VirtualDub. http://www.virtualdub.org.  Its a free application
to download. I've found that it opens a lot of obscure or damaged file
types where other programs will fail.  If it will load your file (you
can move the slider and see the video), save the file as a
Uncompressed AVI. The file will be big, so if your video is of any
real length, make sure you have plenty of disk space.  When / If you
have your uncompressed AVI, just about any MPEG compressor under the
sun will convert it to .MPG for you.

Hope this helps -- smenten-ga