Streaming Netflix to TV

woodstock

woodstock

Final Approach
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Hi

I may have asked this before...

I have netflix. I am probably their favorite customer b/c I will get a disc and forget about it - for months. And months. I could own many movies by now!

If I streamed I'd watch it more often. I'd keep a disc option because old stuff isn't streamed yet, but I'd get my money's worth if I started streaming.

What is the easiest way to get it onto my TV? Just buy a blueray DVD player? If I do that, how tough is it to hook up the proper way?
 
That's how I do it. Samsung blu ray on my wifi network. Netflix is already there programmed into the samsung remote.
Only one HDMI cable from the blu-ray to the TV. Works great, very convenient.
 
If you have a game console like a WII or a Playstation then you can stream thru that as well.
 
Why do I seem to recall that you have a WII, Mari? Is that nuts?

In any event, the WII streams Netflix just fine.

Otherwise, like Bill said, Roku boxen are stable, simple and cheap.

Also, I believe AppleTV will work for this.

I just bought a TV with Netflix streaming built-in - works like a champ.
 
Can you just use a laptop connected to your TV by cables to stream Netflix? What's the least costly/complex set-up?
 
There are a couple of ways. Sure getting a blue-ray or other media device that is hooked up to the Internet and your TV will work.

Another way is to just hook your laptop up to the TV. Many laptops have an HDMI output already and all you would need is a cable. The TV is then like an external display. If you do not have an HDMI hook up but a DVI an adapter can be used and they are easy to find. This is what I use for my MacBook to put content on the big screen. The one draw back with DVI is that it not ALWAYS supports audio, so one might need to also hook up a patch cord for audio.

Some laptops even have composite video out and one could use that. But if you are an HD junkie you will be very unsatisfied with that as it is typical low definition NTSC.
 
SCCutler said:
Why do I seem to recall that you have a WII, Mari? Is that nuts?

In any event, the WII streams Netflix just fine.

Otherwise, like Bill said, Roku boxen are stable, simple and cheap.

Also, I believe AppleTV will work for this.

I just bought a TV with Netflix streaming built-in - works like a champ.
Click to expand...

Mari might? I'm not Mari... :)

I suppose I could buy a new TV... it is 6 yrs old. Nothing wrong with it, but it's a monster. I bet it weighs 200 pounds.

I have a few laptops! Would that somehow slow things down though? I have FIOS, which is pretty fast.

Samsung Bluray plugged into wifi. Is this something I can figure out without calling in the geek squad? If there are directions already in the box I probably could. Maybe FIOS can answer this over the phone.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll check out Best Buy...
 
woodstock said:
Samsung Bluray plugged into wifi. Is this something I can figure out without calling in the geek squad? .
Click to expand...
It is pretty easy. If you ever have hook one of your computers up to WiFi then this is basically the same. The only difference is that you use the remote to key in the info instead of a keyboard and that can be clunky but not hard.

When I put my Bluray into the system it took all of 15 minutes, most of that was spent getting to the back of the TV and the audio amp system. The WiFi hook up was, oh, 3 minutes of work.
 
I'll just throw an Apple fanboy thing out here.

If the TV is an HDTV and you have an additional HDMI input, AppleTV for $99 will give ya Netflix plus a whole lot more. Plug and play. Up and running in ten minutes. Will work out of the box over Ethernet or WiFi.

Downsides: For some, because it's Apple.

720p not 1080i or 1080p.

Tiny little Apple remote. (I fixed that with a Logitech Harmony 300.)

Other friends say good things about the Roku units.
 
While Roku is fine, and my mom has one so I've used it before, I use the Wii for streaming Netflix. The Wii is $200 to the Roku's $80. I think that the Wii has a better interface for Netflix, and is easier to use, plus you can play Wii bowling with your friends when they come to your house and you all have too much to drink. This might not be worth the extra $120 for you.
In any case, these should be your two options. Both work very well.
p.s. Everyone with Netflix should start watching the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Jeremy Brett. Best casting, acting, costuming, and sets I've ever seen for a TV production hands down.
 
I use the Roku, and it comes with more than just Netflix. There is Pandora (music), weather, podcasts, Amazon, and a bunch of other internet based streaming stuff. I like Roku because it is this tiny little box that sits on top of my TV. Don't have any extra room in my studio apartment, and it does the job just great - I even cancelled my Netflix discs.


Kimberly
 
I have an AppleTV 2, the most recent version without onboard storage. You use a home computer for storing any movies, tv shows, etc. that you buy off of iTunes.

I got the AppleTV, because I have an iPad. The two work together seamlessly.

If you have.....or are thinking of getting another Apple product (iPad, iPhone, iPod, Laptop), go for the AppleTV.

If your more of a Windows or Droid person. Get the Roku or Popcorn Hour box. Ive heard good things about the Roku, as others have said as well.

I also have a Wii, PS3, and Samsung TV with Netflix access......Other than the blue ray player on the PS3, I don't use any of them for movies or Netflix. The AppleTV is by far my favorite.
 
Where do you buy Roku? Easy to set up?

I have an iPad, and a Touch, and a really old iPod. So far that is it for Apple.

Thanks again everyone.

I don't have wii or playstation. That's a good idea though.
 
woodstock said:
Where do you buy Roku? Easy to set up?

I have an iPad, and a Touch, and a really old iPod. So far that is it for Apple.

Thanks again everyone.

I don't have wii or playstation. That's a good idea though.
Click to expand...
Best Buy.
 
woodstock said:
Where do you buy Roku? Easy to set up?

I have an iPad, and a Touch, and a really old iPod. So far that is it for Apple.

Thanks again everyone.

I don't have wii or playstation. That's a good idea though.
Click to expand...

It was incredibly easy to setup. The Roku remote is so simple it only has a small number of buttons. The box and user guide were minimal too. It is designed to be ready to go right out of the box. You need to have a computer though because during setup it will ask you to log in to your Netflix account online and get a code that is only good for ten minutes. Then you type that activation code into your Roku and it is linked with your Netflix account.
 
Note on the Wii thing, it's Standard Def only. I used to do that.

If you have an iPad, Airplay to the AppleTV is nice. Anything on the iPad (podcasts, videos) you just hit a button and it's on your TV. It's pretty well done.
 
Oops. Don't know why I brain-tooted into thinking it was Mari making the inquiry. Sorry.

Carry on.
 
woodstock said:
Where do you buy Roku? Easy to set up?

I have an iPad, and a Touch, and a really old iPod. So far that is it for Apple.
Click to expand...

Well, the iPad or the iPod Touch can make a great remote for the AppleTV...

Heck, I'd do it just for that. ;)

Unless you have a burning need for a new blu-ray player or a new TV or some other piece of hardware, a Roku or AppleTV is the way to go. And since you have some Apple gear already, the AppleTV makes more sense than it would otherwise...
 
Can you get HD programming through Netflix/Roku?
 
Anthony said:
Can you get HD programming through Netflix/Roku?
Click to expand...

Define: "Programming".

You can get old episodes of TV shows, and some newer ones.

If you mean "live TV", typically not. Roku has a system where people stream live TV stuff and you can find them by some kind of customer code number, but it's not really a true dedicated streaming "service".

These days, it's probably easier to list what you want to watch and then go see where you can get it online, if at all... and then see if your gadget can stream that to your TV, or if you have to do it on a PC/Mac...
 
How hard is it to go the Apple TV way? Can I pick up an adaptor at Best Buy and will it stream Netflix?

My brother is in town this wkd (snoozing on the couch right now) and I think I'm going to put his superior technical skills to work.
 
woodstock said:
How hard is it to go the Apple TV way? Can I pick up an adaptor at Best Buy and will it stream Netflix?
Click to expand...

Adaptor for what? If the TV has an available HDMI port, you plug in a cable. If not, you'll need some other way to switch HDMI inputs (external HDMI switch).

Either way, the "hard" part is making the switching easy for non-tech family/friends. I like my cheapie Logitech Harmony remote for that part of the job. Plug it into computer via USB, tell the online software what devices you have, and you have a fully-programmed universal remote thirty seconds later that switches everything to the right inputs/outputs when you hit "TV" or "Movie". Even the 80 year old in-laws figured it out.

They never hit the button to go to the AppleTV or really tried to use it, though. But they were impressed when we showed 'em we could "rent" a movie on-screen.
 
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