Netflix watch instantly online is a great feature that allows customers to view a huge selection of movies instantly online. This features comes in addition to your standard DVD rentals. It's great for watching TV episodes and movies when between DVDs or you're just in the mood for something immediately. Netflix and other retailers offer little boxes for $100 and up that will make you able to watch their online movies on your TV. but those boxes are unnecessary in most cases. all you need is one cable.
Step 1
Get a TV that is high resolution. Your movies will not look good on old fashioned CRTs. LCD and Plasmas are best. If you're looking for utmost quality, find a high resolution CRT display. CRTs have truer color, deeper blacks, brighter whites, and infinite viewing angle.
Step 2
Check the back/sides/front of your TV to determine what high res input it has.
Step 3
Good inputs would be: HDMI, VGA, SVGA.
Step 4
Determine what outputs your PCs video card has. Look at the back of your computer and find where your regular monitor cable connects to it. Make note of any additional inputs on that card. This is how your computer will transmits your netflix out to your TV. DVI is quite common as a secondary output.
Step 5
Purchase the appropriate adapter cable that will connect the two sockets (the output on your video card to the input on your TV).
Step 6
Turn off both PC and TV.
Step 7
Hook up the cable appropriately.
Step 8
Restart PC and TV.
Step 9
In windows, most modern versions, right click your desktop and choose properties.
Step 10
Click the setting tab.
Step 11
Select the 2 secondary monitor box then put a check in the box next to "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor".
Step 12
For best picture quality adjust the resolution of monitor 2 to one of the higher settings it is able to use.
Step 13
OK out of that box.
Step 14
Switch your TV display to the input for your computer. The same way you would switch for watching your DVD player. it will just be a different one.
Step 15
If you've done everything correctly you'll see your windows desktop, but it will not have the standard task bar. This is not incorrect. Extended desktops do not contain task bars.
Step 16
On your regular monitor mouse grab the title bar for Internet explorer and drag the whole window to the right until it's off the screen entirely.
Step 17
Your mouse and IE window will slide starting from the left side into view on your TV screen.
Step 18
Web surf as you normally would in the Internet explorer window on your tv.
Tips
- If you're getting your desktop on your tv but it's looking squished or stretched, you may need to update your video card driver. See warnings below.
- Internet explorer is mentioned because net flix player doesn't work with FireFox. But most windows applications can be used on your extended desktop.
- You can drag media player or other media software to your TV also to watch other videos on your TV.
- Many PC games may also work on your TV.
Warnings
- Most, but not every windows program will function properly on an extended desktop.
- Your video card driver may not support the right resolution for your TV. You may need to update the driver to obtain the proper resolutions. See the manufacturer's website for driver updates pertaining to TV compatibility.
Things You'll Need
- A modern TV (LCD or Plasma) with HDMI or VGA inputs
- A PC nearby it with a dual output video card
- An interface cable to match the output on your video card and the input on your TV
