Converting race files for TV viewing

BasilBrush seems to be using a different format for his files this
year: .mp4 with a resolution of 832x468. The Philips DVD player hooked
to my HDTV doesn't support this codec or that resolution via a straight
conversion to an .avi file. I've been experimenting with video
converters for this purpose and found a few good free choices and ways
of doing it (not all converters do a good job, even when theoretically
they should):

- convert to .wmv or mpeg at 640x480 or 720x480 - this gives the same
quality full screen video, but the file sizes are three to four times
the original - Pazera's MP4-to-AVI converter does MPEG and is fast; FVD
Suite (fairly fast) and Super (much slower) are good for both formats

- convert to mpeg via NTSC-SVCD or NTSC-VCD - these produce very
watchable full screen video though with slightly reduced clarity; the
advantage is file sizes are only a bit bigger than the originals -
I use Pazera's for this

- convert to DivX or Xvid .avi at 640x480 - this gives very good
quality, but shows on TV formatted slightly smaller than a 16x9, i.e.,
with a border all around (not just top and bottom); expanding it to
full screen still looks acceptably good

Pazera's - http://www.pazera-software.com/products/
FVD Suite - http://www.flashvideodownloader.org/fvd-suite/
Super - http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html

Other ideas?

Gene