Unable to capture video to hard drive

Hello-
I am desperate for help and to be up front, I am not computer saavy at all. I have a Panasonic VDR D100 dvd camcorder. It has a USB port and an AV port. It does not have a firewire. My PC does have the firewire.
I have been trying to get to video from my mini DVD's onto my PC so I can edit them. I finalized the discs but when I put them in the disc drive, it doesn't recognize it most of the time.
Any suggestions about what to try? I have tried to get advice at computer stores and from panasonic but to no avail. I would appreciate any help. Thanks!