How to Watch Netflix on TV -


Having built its reputation on convenient movie rentals by mail, Netflix now offers something even more convenient: Internet video streaming. The service, called Watch Instantly, allows customers instant access to a huge selection of movies online. There are now multiple methods on how you can watch movies from Netflix on your TV at home. You can buy a special router; use a gaming console if you have one; or even connect your computer to your TV monitor directly. Whatever method you choose, we've got the instructions covered below.

Edit Steps

Using a Streaming Internet Player

Acquire a streaming internet player at a retail store or online. Streaming internet players allow you to stream movies and tv shows from Netflix, videos from YouTube, and music from Pandora, among other options. Different streaming internet players include, but are not limited to:
- Apple TV
- Roku
- Boxee
- Sony Streaming Player

Plug the player into its outlet. Power it up in order to hook it up with your TV and get it connected to the internet.

Connect your streaming internet player to your TV. There are several different ways to do this:
- Connect with an HDMI cable. If you have an HDTV, you'll probably want to make use of that sparkling resolution by purchasing an HDMI cable and hooking the cable both into your player and the back of the TV.
- Connect with a standard A/V cable if you don't have HDTV. Match up the yellow/red/white ports on the back of your TV to the video and audio cables.

Connect to your network. After turning on your streaming internet player, you'll want to connect to the internet. Most streaming internet players nowadays come with wireless internet setup, meaning you don't have to go through the hassle of plugging cables in everywhere in order to get a signal. Simply type in your internet name and password into the guided setup when you turn on your device.
- If you don't have wireless internet capabilities, you're going to most likely connect one end of an Ethernet cable into the back of your streaming internet player, and the other end into an open Ethernet port on your router.

Finalize your setup. You've got power to your streaming player, you've got it connected to your TV, and you have internet. Consider a few other options before you start watching Netflix from the pleasure of your couch instead of your PC screen.
- Download any of the latest software offered by the streaming internet player. This could help expedite things and offer cool perks.
- Choose your video output resolution. Especially helpful for HD nuts.
- Consider linking the player to your online account, if possible. Some players will use social media to share what you watch with your friends, as well as offering suggestions based on what your friends are watching.

Connecting Your Computer to a Television Directly

Check your TV to determine what type of high resolution input it has. Good inputs include high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), video graphics array (VGA), or super video graphics array (SVGA). Check the back, front, and sides to figure out if any of these inputs are supported.

Determine what outputs your PC's video card has. Look on the back of your computer and find your regular monitor cable connection. Make note of any additional inputs on that card. This is how your computer will transmit your Netflix feed to your TV.
- Digital visual interface (DVI) is common as a secondary output, but keep in mind that it is a different standard than those mentioned in the first step. You may need to buy an adapter cable.

Purchase the appropriate adapter cable that will connect the two sockets — the output on your video card to the input on your TV. Two different inputs mean that you'll need at least one converter to connect two different cables.

Making sure your computer and television are turned off, hook up the cables and adapters to one another appropriately. Restart your computer and your television when connected.

Make sure to extend your Windows device onto your TV monitor, if necessary. If you are using a modern version of Microsoft Windows:
- Right-click your desktop and choose “Properties.”
- Click the setting tab.
- Select the 2 secondary monitor box and then put a check in the box next to "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor."
- For best picture quality adjust the resolution of monitor 2 to a higher setting.
- Select OK to close out of that box.

Switch your TV display to the input for your computer. This step is similar to switching your TV to a DVD player, only this time, you'll simply select a different option. If you've done everything correctly, you will see your Windows desktop on your TV screen.
- Note: it will not have the standard task bar. This is not incorrect. Extended desktops do not contain task bars.

Grab the web browser title bar and drag the whole window to the right until it's completely off the screen. Your mouse and browser window will slide into view from the left side of your TV screen.

Choose the Netflix show or movie you'd like to watch and press play. You're successfully streaming Netflix on your TV, without having broken your budget.

Using a Gaming Console to Set Up Netflix

Determine if your gaming console supports Netflix. Currently, Sony’s PlayStation 3, Nintendo’s Wii, and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 all offer access to Netflix streaming, which means that you could theoretically watch Lord of the Rings and then play the game afterward. There are some caveats, however:
- For Xbox 360, you need an Xbox Live Gold membership and a Netflix account in order to access Netflix content.
- The Wii doesn't offer streaming content in high-definition video.

Make sure you have all the necessary components/space in order to use Netflix. For Xbox 360, for example, you need at least 5 MB of free space on your hard drive, in addition to high-speed internet, in order to run the Netflix app. Make sure you have all the necessary requirements before proceeding.

Install the app, if necessary. Install the app from the app marketplace on your gaming marketplace. The app should be easy to spot or search for on all three consoles.

Sign in to your Netflix account and start streaming. The first time you log in, you'll have to log in to your Netflix account; afterwards, the console should remember your login and sign you in automatically. If you have enough space on your console and your account looks good, you should be able to start streaming instantly. Enjoy!

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Edit Tips

Many PC games will also work on your television.

You can also drag Media Player (or other media software) to your TV and watch additional videos.

Most Windows applications can be used on your extended desktop.

You've successfully gotten your desktop onto your TV screen, but the graphics are distorted in some way. What's wrong? You may need to update your video card driver (see warnings below), or you may simply need to change your television's resolution settings.

Edit Warnings

Your video card driver may not support the right resolution for your TV. If this is the case, you will need to update the driver to maintain the proper resolution. See the manufacturer's website for driver updates pertaining to TV compatibility.