# Streaming Netflix to TV **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 13, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827 "2010-01-13T20:06:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827/1 "2010-01-13T20:06:50Z")
Can I stream directly from a WinVista laptop to my TV or do I need an intermediate box of some sort? If so, what box is recommended? I’ve seen some comments related to this but my search powers are limited (by my skill level). The HP laptop has Vista Home Premium and gets the streamed movies fine; wireless/n from the back room with minimal initial buffereing and no stoppage during play. The laptop only outputs VGA and/or S-Video. The TV (56" Samsung) isn’t latest and greatest but does have VGA/DVI-D/Component (3)/Composite (2)/ and aerial (2) inputs. It will do 480p 720p and 1080i from the right source. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisBooth12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827/2 "2010-01-13T20:16:53Z")
Does your TV have an ethernet jack and netflix ready? My blueray player is but i stream to my xbox360. Your connections will not be good enough. Streaming is the only option short of finding some type of USB\>HDMI/Componenate adapter which i am not sure even exist. ---
**Author:** ![TerpBE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc8723/32.png) [@TerpBE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TerpBE)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827/3 "2010-01-13T20:17:55Z")
If you can stream them fine on your laptop which has VGA output, and your TV has VGA input, just put a VGA cable between them and use your TV as a monitor. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827/4 "2010-01-13T20:21:33Z")
The vga out of the laptop should be able to connect to the TV at 1920 by 1080. You will need a sound connection also. The tv should have audio in associated with the vga input. I have played netflix to TV in this way. It worked pretty well. A lot of boxes will now stream netflix to the TV. My blue ray player does it. Xbox 360 can do it. PS3 can do it. Wii will be able to soon according to news on the web. roku video player does it. ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827/5 "2010-01-13T20:56:46Z")
I just bought a Roku HD: > **[Roku](https://www.roku.com/products)** > > Roku provides the simplest way to stream entertainment to your TV. On your terms. With thousands of available channels to choose from. I’m still waiting on it to arrive, but I’ve heard nothing but good reviews. Mine was a hundred bucks. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827/6 "2010-01-13T21:02:05Z")
Both my Samsung Blu-Ray and my XBox360 are set up to stream but we use the 360. The interface is much better. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827/7 "2010-01-13T21:04:16Z")
I use my laptop with an S Video cable to get the picture to the screen. Sometimes, I rely on the internal speakers and sometimes, I plug an old set of external computer speakers into the jack. ---
**Author:** ![fandango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b5ac83/32.png) [@fandango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fandango)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827/8 "2010-01-13T21:10:42Z")
Ditto the S-Video cable (4-pin). And I plug the audio into the MP3-in jack of my 5.1 surround sound system. Works great! ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827/9 "2010-01-13T23:42:47Z")
Thanks to all. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827/10 "2010-01-14T00:05:00Z")
I stream netflix to my home theater Pc all the time, though it’s hooked up to my TV via and HDMI. Vista and windows 7 have Media center and media center has a built in Netflix interface. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streaming-netflix-to-tv/524827/11 "2010-01-14T00:15:02Z")
[Something like this for audio](http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021804&p_id=5599&seq=1&format=2). Search the site if you want different lengths. If your laptop has S/PDIF, you could also use that, but I’ll bet not if it doesn’t have DVI.