How can I convert from avi/3gp etc to wmv files using linux? Given I
have a bunch of either avi, mpg or 3gp videos, is it possible to
convert these files to a wmv format?  I'm thinking it's something to
do with mencoder,ffmpg etc but the options are bewildering and
numerous.

Hello das


FFmpeg allows Linux users to convert video files easily between a
variety of different formats.

Here is an article from Linux Journal
http://www.linuxjournal.com/node/8517/print


and here is the 
HOWTO Convert video files


http://en.linuxreviews.org/HOWTO_Convert_video_files




mencoder can work with wmv files

 .. >  mencoder -oac copy -ovc lavc -of mpeg -o output_file.mpg your_file.wmv

as described here 


http://smorgasbord.net/convert_video_linux


you may check 

MediaCoder is an open source universal audio/video batch transcoder (converter),

A-one Video Joiner is powerful video conversion program. It supports
converting / joining almost all kinds of Video format files including
AVI, DivX, XviD, MPEG, WMV, MOV, RM to AVI,DivX, XviD, VCD, DVD, SVCD,
MPEG1, MPEG2, WMV, RealMedia, MOV video format files. you can convert
/ join any unknowed video to your familiar format that can play in
your computer.


http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/

(PAC) - Perl Audio ConverterIt can also convert audio from the
following video formats/extensions: RM, RV, ASF, DivX, MPG, MKV, MPEG,
AVI, MOV, OGM, QT, VCD, VOB, and WMV. ...
http://viiron.googlepages.com/


http://www.imtoo.com/mp4-video-converter.html

http://discerning.com/topics/audiovideo/video_encoding.html

Hedgie