OK here we go,

if i got a normal TV card i can capture to AVI using a losless codec then convert to whatever format i wanted (mpeg mpeg2 dvd ect ect)

if i bought a mpeg capture card that has a built in TV card i can use the onboard specs to capture direct to mpeg 1 and 2, but if i wanted to capture to a losless AVI would i be limited to what resolutions the mpeg capture records at, or would it act like a independent TV and let me capture to losless avi for converting later?