I have kids and am always video taping them. I have my own way of putting them on to a DVD but it sure is long and tedious.

1. Capture (dont know why but its AVI)
2. Convert to MPG (so dvd author program knows what to do)
3. Edit and burn

Is there a simpler way or a nice program to simplify the process. I know there are a ton of programs out there but which ones make it simpler and more user friendly.

The dv-avi format is a balance of quality and compression. A uncompressed AVI file is ridiculously huge, whereas a dv-avi file is 3.6MB/second or about 15gb per hour. The ultimate goal is to get it to MPG for dvd use, which tops out at just under 1MB/second.
The reason you want the .avi file for editing is because it is of a higher quality than MPG and if you are going to edit/re-compress this is a good thing for quality. If you just want to transfer exactly what you shoot to dvd then the mini-DVD or full DVD camcorders would be the way to go.

I know that doesn't answer your question but thought you might like to know (if you didn't already). I prefer being able to capture, edit, compress, author, then burn to have the most options.

Yeah I just learned that while searching for something to use. I dont have a problem with how I do it because I can edit and make chapters and thumbnails. I do run into an occasion I just want to put it in the DVD no hassle or little hassle. I have family and friends that want me to do it or help them. I am just looking for a simple GUI. Thats all (one step) I looked at dvd santa (http://www.officialdvdsanta.com/) but i dont know if I trust that.

well THE simplest way would be using a dvd recorder

Uh yeah Thanks a lot. JK hey hows that Litepro going

How about this one?

http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/

it's still in the closet . There are many projects around the house I've got to do before the wife will let me have fun again. And I'm sort of lazy so it might be a while before I even get them done...