Per Terry Coombs:
I'm not looking for the absolute lowest price , just a functional device
to capture some video . It needs to run under WinXP Pro , though if I have
to I can install Vista (but I'd rather not) on that comp for the Media
Center program .
Any suggestions for a brand or a particular model ? I'd prefer to stay
below 50 bucks ...

This is probably moot because it is more like double or triple the
target price, but I have been using these things for quite a few years
now and find them to have some serious advantages over in-PC tuner
cards: https://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/

Full Disclosu I only do Over-the-Air TV and use a different model
from what you would use for cable.

Advantages:

- Accessible from any PC, tablet, or phone that can connect to your LAN

- Does not take up any space in your PC.


I cannot cite exactly how the cableTV connectivity plays out - except to
say that it is definitely there if you choose the right model. Something
about a provider-specific card, I think.
--
Pete Cresswell