Convert AVI (AVC?) to DVD - or anyhting... using ffmpeg

Trying to convert files from a video camera (Generic - Kogan branded). The default conversion tool supplied is "on the camera", works in Windows, and will only work while the camera is detected. (A PItA)
Mediainfo gives me the following info:
General
Complete name : /home/Movies/Wedding/Original/FILE0002.AVI
Format : AVI
Format/Info : Audio Video Interleave
File size : 37.1 MiB
Duration : 26s 526ms
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 11.7 Mbps
Recorded date : 2012-11-28
Writing library : AMBA
ICRT : 12:14:16

Video
ID : 0
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4.2
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=15
Codec ID : H264
Duration : 26s 526ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 11.3 Mbps
Maximum bit rate : 13.2 Mbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.410
Stream size : 35.8 MiB (97%)

Audio
ID : 1
Format : ADPCM
Codec ID : 11
Codec ID/Hint : Intel
Duration : 26s 490ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 4 bits
Stream size : 1.22 MiB (3%)
Interleave, duration : 43 ms (1.28 video frame)

Am trying to use Linux, and by default ffmpeg, and using the following command: ffmpeg -i $1 -aspect 16:9 -target pal-dvd $1'.mpeg'
This works, but the final DVD is very jerky and hard to watch...
Can anyone suggest how I can improve on this?
Thanks, John.