Recommended Video maker/editor program

[Dreddz]

Im not asking for instructions or anything but can someone recommend me the best video maker which allows avi merging, placing MP3 over video and all the tools and gizmo's that allow me to edit it to my standard. Ive found some online but Im unsure which one is best for my needs.

If anyones asking, I need it for a college project which is meant to be presented like, next week.

Thanks in advance.

[Renmiri]

Windows Movie Maker will do most of it but you have to convert the AVI to something else, like wmv or mpg

[Zeromus_X]

VirtualDub Mod is a miracle-worker. It can already accept AVI files without having to convert or anything, it can combine segments together, and you can add a music file as the audio stream if you so desired. It's not hard to figure out, either (as evidenced by me actually being able to use it).

[starseeker]

Adobe Premier Elements is good, but you have to pay for it.
VirtualDubMod is also very good when paired with Avisynth.