i have a avi file that is only 700mb's but when trying to convert to dvd format using tmpgenc it goes way over 4.7gb. how do i convert to dvd so it can burn to 1 dvd r? i have converted a few avi's which are 700mb's and had no problem before.

I'm not totally sure, but you might be able to convert the file to DVD format and then use DVDShrink to shrink it down to dvd size.

Did you use the wizard or did you do it manually ?

I have not had oversize problems but i have had undersize problems when using the wizard.

You could always try another program like The Film Machine, DVD2SVCD/D2SRoBa for example to do the rencoding which is faster then TMPGEnc as it uses CCE for encoding and gives better results in my opinion.