Hi LindaCat,
Do you have a full version of AM?
You can use avi files in hotspots, and you don't need complex programming to play videos. Maybe points 14 and 15 of the Help Files can help you to figure out more.
http://www.adventuremaker.com/help/vbsc ... niques.htm
I haven't used videos in that way yet, therefore I can't give you a tutorial.
Just be sure that you add the video file also to the external folder, otherwise it won't work.
And here is some general info how to play audio and video using VBScript, just in case you need it:
http://www.adventuremaker.com/phpBB2/vi ... php?t=1405