dvr-ms to divx, etc.
There is one program I've found that does it well, and fast, and with a batch converter.
PQ DVD to iPod converter.
But, it doesn't have a provision to remove commercials, or do any editing, other than remove the front/end of the clip.
I can see this as a feature that Slysoft could add without much cost, as dvr-ms files are MPG2 fils in an ACS (?) wrapper with some metadata that describes the program.
VideoReDo has some good functionality for editing MPG2 files, but the cost is $50 and I think that's a bit steep for such limited functionality (it doesn't convert to any format - you have to keep the format you start with)
Good luck - I know I've come-up wanting more. Somebody will get it eventually.