Watching/Converting .MOD (JVC camcorder video) on a WIndows 8.1 computer or other device.

I have a JVC Everio Camcorder. It has files saved in the .MOD format. When Media Player plays these all I get is audio. Searched the web and some sources said to just rename the file extension to .mpg, and after trying numerous extensions, nothing has worked. The windows source said Windows Movie Maker could convert and play, but alas no. WMM says it handles .MOD files as MPEG-2, but I still get audio only. Do I just need to buy a $50 converter app, or is there something simple I'm missing?