I'm not sure what is available at the budget end of the spectrum. I remember building one when I was a kid (though it was a line TBC, that newfangled frame stuff didn't exist then)
A lot of TBCs out there can mess with the video in different ways, so it pays to do your research and decide what features you want.
A TBC won't fix problems recording into the tape, but it really makes it a lot easier to get a rock solid capture every time.
I'd go over to doom9 or somewhere similar and ask guys what they are using and why.