Video editing the proper way without forcing the abominal wmv format on yourself:
1. Get avisynth. Install it.
2. Get CCCP. Install CCCP. In the video filter setting enable Raw video (all formats) and also enable Avisynth (avisynth).
-This is for DivX, h264, x264, Xvid and mkv, mp4 support not included in widows of Windows Media Player.
-This also allows Virtualdub to work with Windows Media only formats like wmv, wma and so on.
-For Quicktime mov, or Realplayer rlm (if you need them) you should install the Quicktime and Real Alternative filters. (These allow directshow playback, and with this avisynth trick, editing of these formats without installing either of these spyware players).
3. Get Virtualdub or Virtualdub Mod. Install, (extract it anywhere) and run it (run the main executable).
4. Make a textfile with this line in it:
DirectShowSource("c:\Path_And_Filename.avi") //can be mkv,mp4,wmv whatever
and name it "myvideo.avs"
5. Open this file in Virtualdub or Virtual Dub Mod. You can cut/paste/edit the video to your hearts content. You can decompress it to a myriad of formats and Virtualdub allows you to use a myriad of effects. There are a million tutorials are there for the program.
ie. -
Virtualdub Tutorial - Free Video Editor For Windows
Actually AMV Hell 3 was supposed to be the last one. They always "almost kill themselves" sorting and culling through a million entries. They withdraw and swear off of it....
...then the craving starts!