Recommended video converter (and possibly a new recorder?)

[Naphtha]

Trying to convert video recordings for a playthrough of Vertigo on my YouTube channel. I've used RealPlayer for the last couple playthroughs, but something changed with the last update, and now my unregistered version only converts to purely audio files rather than video (not to mention the update was the only way to get it to convert a new file at all, apparently I'd used it too much). My home connection isn't powerful enough to upload an .AVI in a halfway decent amount of time, but my last playthrough confirmed that at least an .MP4 or .MOV of high quality is doable.

I'm running the most recent version of Fraps, which actually records much more smoothly than some of the other programs I've tried so far (Bandicam reduces the framerate to roughly 12 when playing on Rebirth on this old computer), so that's why I'm starting with an .AVI to begin with. But I'm willing to take recommendations for either the recording step or the conversion so I can start working on that next playthrough.

[CDN_Merlin]

Freemake video convertor works well.

[snoopy]

Ffmpeg.

Hands-down the best converter I've used.

I'd use WinFF. (A frontend for ffmpeg)

Also, don't use Freemake video converter on principle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemake_Video_Converter

FFmpeg is the engine behind a large portion of the video converters out there, and a lot of them blatantly rip off portions (or the whole) of ffmpeg without due credit, violating the GNU/GPL. Freemake is one of those, and it isn't cool. Part of the way that you can support quality open-source projects is to boycott anyone who steals the work for their own profit. (Also, if you're feeling generous, give your money to FFmpeg in the form of a donation).

BTW, FFmpeg will basically convert anything to anything. If you want to encode to some patent-encumbered stuff (like H264) you have to explicitly enable it when you compile, but it can really handle just about anything you want to throw at.

[CDN_Merlin]

Also, don't use Freemake video converter on principle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemake_Video_Converter

Did not know this. Time to hunt down something else.