DRV TRV19 Sony Digital Camcorder

The software that came with this DV camera is Image Mixer 1.5. I am transferring from the camera to my PV via USB2. I have Windows XP Home version. I am transferring at the highest quality and have found out it not very good quality on my PC. I have 256mb memory. I have played the tape on my TV and it looks great.
I also have used Movie Maker in Windows XP and get the same low quality when it is on my PC. I have Adobe Premier which does not seem to reconize my camera and also seems to only be able to accept the transfer by Firewire which I do not have. I have been advised that USB 2 is better than Firewire. If I put a Firewire card in will this help and what is the connection I need on the camera? There is a port for it on the camera.
I assume if I ever get the movie to my PC in a good quality a DVD burner (which I do not have) would be better than burning it to a CD-R.
I am new to this , so all the help I can get will be most Helpfull.