Well, the short answer to your question is "loads".
There are few packages that came with my PC, and few that I've downloaded, and I've been trying different combinations with different amounts of success.
Sometimes I capture to AVI format, and sometimes to MPEG. I captured two episodes of Alias last week-end, and it came to 78 Gig on my HD!!
And, whatever format I use, I seem to have problems with audio/video sync. Sometimes a HUGE different, sometimes really slight, but worse after an hour.
But, my best success to date has been with a program called Ulead Video Studio. I had never used it to capture until last night, even though it came with my PC from day one. Unlike the others I have used, it captures without dropping frames and the result is smooth. BUT it is not crystal clear, sometimes it appears like a jpg that has been enlarged too much. That could be to do with my original capture size.
However, the VCD I made from this experiment was smooth to look at, and had the sound perfectly in sync.
Last week-end, I used WinDVDRecorder and WinDVDCreator to do a VCD of the pilot of a show called Rescue 77. The result was kinda fuzzy to look at, but not smooth. There was a tiny "jump" to the image. But it was still watchable. Although now that I've used Ulead VS I prefer the result it gives.
I used NeroVision to capture but the result was too jumpy to watch, and the sound was wa-a-ay off.
I've down loaded VirtualDub with is apparently just terrific, but I can't really get it to work properly.
I've also downloaded a few of the other freeware ones that get good reviews in the forums, but I've not really had must much chance to try them out.
Let me know how you get on. Either here, or just email me.