mum Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 We use our desktop computer mainly for streaming TV, things like abc, cbs, pbs. The desktop just died. We would rather not replace it. What device do I need so that I can stream internet on my TV? It's a newer TV, so it has all the needed ports. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 We use an Apple TV. $99. Love it. We also have an Amazon firestick, which I picked up for $20 when they came out. We even take that on vacations. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 If it's a newer tv it might have apps for Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and more. Check to see first. If it does, you just need to sign in to whatever accounts you have and can watch that way. If not there are several options for set top boxes - Roku, Amazon Fire stick, Chrome stick (I don't know much about this), and Apple TV. Roku has an NBC app. Hulu Plus offers many ABC shows. CBS is a bit harder to get. An alternative would be to just get a computer tower/hard drive (no keyboard or monitor needed) to plug in to the tv. I'm not sure how that works but I know a few people who do that. Someone here might know and chime in. If you do that you could stream directly from the network websites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropymama Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 We have an apple TV as well. Like the previous poster said, we paid $99 for it and stream Netflix as well as lots of free programming from PBS, BBC and others. It has an internet function which is a little cumbersome but you can surf the web just like on a computer. It's easier if you have an iPhone because you can download a remote app and type in your searches instead of the 'hunt and peck' typing done with the apple TV remote. We play YouTube videos and Amazon Prime videos. We liked it enough to get a second one for our second TV and drop cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Dh has a cable running from the computer to the TV and then runs some sort of program on the computer that makes it happen. The computer is the primary controller and the TV just serves as a large monitor though we can still use it for non-computer linked viewing as well. We actually have this set up upstairs and down (classroom TV, family room TV) and he uses two different methods. I'll ask him what they are when I get a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 I use Apple TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 I have a question -what exactly do you expect to stream on the tv? I can stream through my blu-ray such things as amazon, netflix, youtube hulu, etc. etc. etc. dss' set up an old desktop on the big screen to do direct from internet streaming - (even though it also has a streaming blu-ray), (the tv's could directly - but we dont' go through the tv) is there something I'm missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 With our system, anything you can view on your PC from instructional disks to webpages to pdf files can be thrown up on the big screen. In the classroom, I use the computer to put up a large image of any worksheet or text page we are working on together. I also use the large screen for videos that go along with our lessons. If I am helping a child with an individual lesson that has an online component I sometimes use the big screen so we can both view the lesson comfortably. In the family room, we stream Netflix, Discovery Education, The Great Courses and sometimes Coursera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 If it's a newer tv it might have apps for Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and more. Check to see first. If it does, you just need to sign in to whatever accounts you have and can watch that way. If not there are several options for set top boxes - Roku, Amazon Fire stick, Chrome stick (I don't know much about this), and Apple TV. Roku has an NBC app. Hulu Plus offers many ABC shows. CBS is a bit harder to get. An alternative would be to just get a computer tower/hard drive (no keyboard or monitor needed) to plug in to the tv. I'm not sure how that works but I know a few people who do that. Someone here might know and chime in. If you do that you could stream directly from the network websites. We purchased this mini computer so we could watch anything on the net. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RH6BIF6/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687502&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00R7R1GWK&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=05577VMKZ3C4HY009MME There are optional ports for attaching a hard drive or using an SD card. It's very versatile. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RKWAcademy Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Roku or Roku stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashfern Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 We have a Roku and DH found a program called PlayOn which allows you to play anything that you find on your computer through the Roku. I didn't realize that one of the shows we watch started a couple of weeks ago. I was able to watch the episodes I missed by using PlayOn. In the past I would have had to watch it on the computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 Oh, we use our Apple TV to AirPlay anything from our phones, iPads, and laptops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 On 10/24/2015 at 12:19 PM, mum said: We use our desktop computer mainly for streaming TV, things like abc, cbs, pbs. The desktop just died. We would rather not replace it. What device do I need so that I can stream internet on my TV? It's a newer TV, so it has all the needed ports. Thanks! We use our Samsung BluRay player for things like NetFlix. For Internet, we just hook up our laptop to it. There may be a little more to it technically, but my IT guy (Mr. Ellie) isn't here right now to provide a more comprehensive answer. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Google Chrome would work as well. Sounds like it's similar to Amazon firestick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 guest gookkll and a spam zombie thread post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geodob Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 You wrote that you have a newer TV. You could check whether you can connect your TV directly to the internet? Which can be done 2 ways, by cable or wifi. With a cable, it uses the cable that currently connects between your desktop and modem/router. Your TV will need a port, that fits the connector on the cable. The other way, is wifi. Check the manual for your TV, and see whether it can connect wire-lessly? Also that your router can use wifi? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy the Valiant Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 We have a similar problem - we've been using our (very old) Wii to stream Netflix & Amazon, but as of January 31, the Wii is no longer supported (yes, we are VERY low-old-tech people over here, haha!). We do have a Chromecast, which sometimes works to stream from a laptop, but often "gums up" and is extremely difficult for longer movies. Sigh. Not sure if we need a Roku or maybe an Amazon Firestick? We do not have any other Apple devices, so I think Apple TV is out. DH would prefer NOT to have an Alexa-style voice-controlled option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 We have old Rokus, an Apple TV, and one Amazon stick. We use our Tivos now though for the most part. We have an antenna for over the air TV when we don't have cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Spam post by Guest JessJess reported. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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