hope someone can take the time to help me so here goes, i have downloaded a series that is in avi format and i need to put it on dvd so it can be played on a normal dvd player i just need to know what it needs converting into so i get as many as i can onto the disc and what software to use in as simple terms as possible thanks in advance guys

Try THIS , easy to use freeware .

tried tha software an it didn't recognise the avi format i need to convert the files into somethink that will make it possible to put as many as possible onto disk that will still play on a dvd player

xilisoft avi to dvd converter

windows 7 will do it . but dvd files are much bigger than avi.
may be an idea to get a dvd player that can read avi files, then you can burn them as a data disc, thus getting more onto a disc.

Try this tutorial.
If you ask question on the tutorial then were all on the same page

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-convert-avi-to-dvd-format/

Nero Burning rom is good, I use the option on the interface as it walks you through the process.

I use Nero start smart, never lets me down.

Winavi. Used it in the past with o probs, really easy to use as well.

Has your DVD player got a USB connection as I just load mine onto a memory stick & watch it.

add the files and write it as a new data disc

I use convertx 4 , its easy to use and I have never had any problems with it.

Lots of options, but at the heart of it, converting from AVI video to a DVD is easy. It'll even make the VOB for easy burning, if that's your thing.

see: http://www.appgeeker.com/convert/burn-avi-to-dvd.html