For me personally, PCTorque has been the LEXUS of laptops when it comes to customer service. I am quite sure that your experiences are more the exception than the rule.
Where can I get some kind of capture card with component video inputs or is there any way to make the component video leads from the 9860 work as inputs?
I would suggest increasing the cache for your buffer. I have had great success with Verbatim. I use Nero Version 7, Roxio CD/DVD creator 8 and Alcohol 120% and never have problems.
In reference to the "Dell has superior customer service" comment, at least when I call PCTorque's customer service my call is NOT re-routed to "Bobby in India"