In the days before WindowsXP was installed on my machine I very happily used a "Dazzle" ( <a href="http://www.dazzle.com" target="_blank">www.dazzle.com</a> ) external video capture device to connect my Sony Digital Video camera to my PC (and laptop) via the USB port.
Works in NTSC, PAL, SECAM and many others....will even convert one to the other for you in the process.....comes with its own (simplified) video editing software.