I want to display video on a windows machine, probably 1280X720. What would be the best format for quality and compatibility?

Thanks

WMV is the "official" Windows video codec. Pretty much any machine made in the last 8 years or so should play it, or if it has net access it should download the codec and install automatically via Windows Media Player.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Media_Video

Agreed. Windows Media 9 is the codec to go with.

Lots of apps to get there, but remember MS Windows Media Encoder (free) doesn't import Quicktime.

PC-wise you have Autodesk Cleaner, Sorensen Squeeze, and Xilisoft Video Converter. On the Mac its Flip 4 Mac that does it right from FCP, Compressor and as Quicktime export.