I have a few VHS tapes i'd like to rip but at present i dont have a tv card and i presume this is what u need to get the movie on your HD. My Q is would something like this be up to the job

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TV-CAPTURE-CARD-w ... dZViewItem

Sure. If you to cap movies, you will need extra GBs too, JSYK. I have a really crappy $30 (us) one that doesn't do a very good job, I'll assume this card here is in a higher price range. Would work for sure. A good VCR will make a bigger difference, I think, as long as you're not 'scraping the barrel' with the TV tuner, it should be fine. I gave up capturing VHS, as its a hassle and DVDs keep getting released of most of my tapes. I'd go down to the local electronics vender, though, to pick one up so you can return it if it sucks. The problem with the cheapo tuners is that the color and luminance get washed out, even if you cap it technically correct. Sturdy Coaxial (cable) and RCA (composite) inputs are a must as well. I don't know of the price coversion, but you should spend more than $50 (US). Cheaper than that, pass it.

Isn't HDTV looming, if you have any interest in tv captures you might want to look at a proper digital capture card.

Always read a chipset review before buying

HDTV may be looming for some of you but in this house it's a long way off. Like most new tech stuff i usually have to wait a year till the price drops b4 i can think about it. I wasn't really intending to get into tv caps in a big way just found a few vhs that folks might have been interested in.
The card i linked to is cheap ?13.99 and i think i could probably get a better one if i can persuade the Head of Financial Affairs(wife) to agree
Will leave it till the end of the month then see what i can pick up on e bay.
4 the advice

You could seize power in a bloody coup?

I doubt it I'd be massacred