Best format for TV vs. Computer vs. HDTV when making DVD's

[Robert M. Lincoln]

Using Windows Movie Maker 2, I capture analog movies successfully from my
old camcorder (Hi-8). What is the best format for making DVD's?

I have used the DV-AVI format (the biggest file, and so, probably the one
with the most info). When the DVD is created, it looks fine on my TV set
via a standard DVD play - fairly smooth and sharp. When played on my
computer's CD/DVD drive, the motion looks a little shakey, not very smooth.
The resolution is good, though.

Question: should I use the DV-AVI format to make the DVE, or should I use
the Windows Media Video (WMV) to create DVD's?

What happens when HDTV arrives? Will the movie I make look like it looks on
my computer's LCD monitor, or will it look as if there is some "smoothing"
function, like my TV/DVD player makes it look now?

Ideally, I would like it to look smooth and sharp when played on either my
computer or TV/DVD player now, and smooth and sharp on a future HDTV.

I realize that much of this is trial-and-error, but it is very time
consuming, and I'm wondering if others have had similar experience.

Thanks

 

[PapaJohn]

TV viewing should be best when starting with the DV-AVI format. Computer
viewing would be the WMV format if you use a good sprinking of text.