i'd like to know the cheapest way to capture video output from a tv
when a video game console is hooked up to it, as well as recording
what you see on a computer screen.

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Clarification of Question by nomadx-ga on 15 May 2004 05:35 PDT

i've tried capture cards before and they don't record in real time. at
least, mine didn't maybe because my computer isn't fast enough.

computer specs:
p3 733 MHz
256 MB RAM
NVIDIA Quatro 64 MB

i know that there must be a tv in for the card, but if i can't record
onto the hard drive in real time (video/sound gets choppy, frame loss)
what other kinds of devices can do it?

try getting a tv tuner card. most of them come with video capturing
software and can be had for under a hundred bucks.

Go to compusa and they sell something called WINTV USB. You can watch
tv on your laptop or computer and even take snapshot pictures and
record video. It does take a ton of memory, but it is cool. On ebay
you might be able to find it for around $50.

You probably won't find a cheap solution that will work with a cheap
computer.  You should look for a "hardware encoding" solution, like
this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1077629691913&skuId=6539604&type=product.