Save from digital camcorder to computer using avi file format

Has anyone in this group knowledge of how to save output from a
camcorder using a DV to IE 1394 cable and save it as an AVI file so it
can be processed by Registax. My software with the camcorder saves it as
a MPEG file and Registax will not handle this I think. I am using XP
home edition.
I can save my output from a Watec 120N camera to my camcorder but my
capture hardware (Win tv USB) only supports a max 320 X 240 pixels, the
Watec camera captures at 752 X 582 pixels capture rate. Can I capture
as AVI file using Microsoft Movie maker at a higher pixel rate using a
dedicated DV to 1394 cable from my camcorder.
I intend to capture the southern sky wide field from Mauritius 20
degrees south latitude using a wide field lens and saving onto the
camcorder and get this onto the computer as an AVI file when I return
home. If this is not possible what hardware is available instead of my
ancient Win tv USB to capture at a higher pixel rate?

CJ