I am really stuck and need help from someone who, unlike me, actually knows what they are doing!

I have some files available to me as avi's or wmv's. My goal is to created hinted or "fast start" QuickTime files that are a reasonable size, meaning around the same size as the wmv files. I have worked with Premiere Pro, AVS Video Convertor, River Past Cleaner and QT Pro but always end up with huge files (or at least files twice as big as the wmv files). I have not used Discreet Cleaner which I know works great but is very expensive.

I'm sure I'm missing something and would appreciate any assistance.

Thanks!