Movie conversion

have just been given a movie from someone which i want to run on my home DVD player.

The file name/format given to me is homemovie.Avi

Can someone please explain to me can i simply copy this .homemove.Avi file from my 1GB usb memory stick to a DVD disk and play it in my home DVD player or do i need to convert the .Avi fil to another format in order that it will play in my home DVD player.

If the file needs converted could you please supply the name of the Software i would need to use (Free one if possible).
Again thanks to all who take time to reply