Windows Movie Maker on Windows 8.1 are not compatible with MOD files.

OT: Movie Maker.

I had Movie Maker on my old windows 7 laptop. I now have a new laptop with windows 8.1 and installed Movie Maker.

My Panasonic video camera apparently uses MOD files which were compatible with windows 7 but not with windows 8.1.

Looking at the websites I don't seem to be the only person experiencing these problems.

There is so much advice online regarding options and downloads, I am now totally confused.

I really don't want to download anything unless I know it's safe.

Apparently I have to change my MOD files to MPG? any idea how I do this, or is there some safe software I can use?

Any advice would be much appreciated as I would really like to put the video film I have in my camera onto a disc. 

Thanks

Julie