[I Are Baboon]

So how simple/difficult is it to set up my HDTV so that I can watch streaming online content on it (youtube, Hulu, Netflix, etc)? Keep in mind I am a moron, and I have not done any research.

I am sure the answer is "it depends." So what does it depend on?

 

[jonKranked]

what do you have that you can plug into your hdtv that is connected to the internet and has a web browser?

 

[jonKranked]

your best option would be a pc/laptop with HDMI out if you want to do hulu/netflix/any other online content portal. Many are still flash based.

netflix you can do streaming with a xbox360, ps3, or wii as well.

hulu premium will be available on PS3 as well starting 2011

 

[I Are Baboon]

I have a laptop, a netbook, and a Wii. I assume the laptop would work best. I'm not sure if the laptop has HDMI out. I'll check that tonight.

The TV is a 50" plasma Panasonic Viera.

 

[MtnBikerChk]

the laptop does not have HDMI out - but the netbook does.

I have a feeling streaming a movie with our bandwidth wouldn't be great. Not to mention the router is a floor above the tv.

 

[IH8Rice]

if your laptop doesnt have a HDMI out (which is probably doesnt,) you can use a DVI-HDMI adapter or the plasma should more than likely have a PC input for a VGA plug. or even a composite output too

 

[DHracer1067]

I have a 26" 1080p screen that I use for a computer monitor and tv. I just use the blue vga cable that plugs into the computer and then into the screen.

 

[I Are Baboon]

We must have a VGA cable lying around the house. The wife has a file cabinet full of assorted cables.

The TV is very new and I'm sure it has all the latest widgets.

 

[IH8Rice]

We must have a VGA cable lying around the house. The wife has a file cabinet full of assorted cables.

The TV is very new and I'm sure it has all the latest widgets.

if you use the HDMI out from the netbook, chances are it wont pass the audio signal so youll still have to run a audio cable to the tv or audio system.

 

[DHracer1067]

if you use the HDMI out from the netbook, chances are it wont pass the audio signal so youll still have to run a audio cable to the tv or audio system.

No actually an hdmi cable will pass 2 channel stereo audio through it. But the VGA cable wont. all it transmits is the video.

 

[I Are Baboon]

Cool, I get to play tonight.

I'm sure we have an audio cable. If not, Best Buy is a half mile down the road.

 

[IH8Rice]

No actually an hdmi cable will pass 2 channel stereo audio through it. But the VGA cable wont. all it transmits is the video.

a lot of laptops dont pass audio via the HDMI. if it did, it would output 8 channels of audio, not 2

 

[I Are Baboon]

This seems too easy.

I'm sure by 8:00 tonight I'll be cursing and yelling because I can't get it to work.

 

[DHracer1067]

a lot of laptops dont pass audio via the HDMI. if it did, it would output 8 channels of audio, not 2

oh really. My only experience with hdmi is on my xbox. I don't know if it was just xbox specific but the hdmi cable inputs audio into the tv without having to use any extra audio cables but I thought I read somewhere that unless you used a digital audio cable it only outputted stereo sound. and I see on wikipedia it says hdmi will output 8 channels of audio so I guess either im wrong or what i have read about hdmi was only specific to the xbox.

 

[IH8Rice]

and I see on wikipedia it says hdmi will output 8 channels of audio so I guess either im wrong or what i have read about hdmi was only specific to the xbox.

yes you are wrong and maybe the old 360's only passed two channels of audio, but the new ones pass 5.1. do you have it hooked up to a surround sound system? cause tv's only have 2 channels.

 

[DHracer1067]

well this is what i have here as my monitor. it is more so a computer monitor with a built in tv tuner than just a regular tv. its got a 16:10 ratio instead of 16:9 so the useable space is a bit better with the computer.

Amazon.com: Samsung Touch Of Color T260HD 25.5-Inch LCD HDTV Monitor: Computer & Accessories@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11OEN8kRklL.@@AMEPARAM@@11OEN8kRklL

But I have my desktop pc, xbox 360, and cable tv all plugged into it. And the sound from all three devices comes out of my computer speakers which are just 2 speakers and a sub so na I haven't had any experience getting a surround sound setup.

 

[jonKranked]

the way i have my stuff setup is:

Video*:

PS3-----> hdmi ----> receiver----> hdmi ----> tv
Cable box -----> hdmi ----> receiver----> hdmi ----> tv

Audio (7.1 surround):

PS3 ----> optical audio -----> receiver
Cable box -----> digital coax ----> receiver

my wii is connected straight to the tv via component cables



*note: my receiver only does HDMI throughput, so audio is still carried over the HDMI cable, i just keep the volume on my TV at 0.

 

[IH8Rice]

your receiver only does HDMI video input right?

 

[jonKranked]

your receiver only does HDMI video input right?

its HDMI throughput, so whatever it gets from the incoming HDMI signal it just passes along to the HDMI output.

so no, it doesn't do HDMI audio. No biggie. Just have to program to match up the right audio and video signals. Set it, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand forget it!

 

[I Are Baboon]

I'm in business!! Rock n roll.

 

[I Are Baboon]

The audio is going through the TV. It'd be nice to hook that up to the surround sound. I also need an HDMI extension cord or a longer cord so i can sit on the sofa instead of right in front of the TV.

 

[Sghost]

Amazon.com: Version 1.3 HDMI Cable (15 feet): HDMI: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/313FFFuNpfL.@@AMEPARAM@@313FFFuNpfL

 

[IH8Rice]

The audio is going through the TV. It'd be nice to hook that up to the surround sound. I also need an HDMI extension cord or a longer cord so i can sit on the sofa instead of right in front of the TV.

does your surround sound receiver have a HDMI input for audio and video? if not, what type of audio outputs does your netbook have? just a 3.5mm headphone jack?


that HDMI cable Sghost recommended is more than fine for what you need and its stupid cheap too.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Related question - can I get a cable that converts HDMI out of my kids' aptop to RCA audio/vid for my old receiver/TV? I'd like to try streaming wirelessly to the laptop & watch on the ol' CRT.

 

[IH8Rice]

Related question - can I get a cable that converts HDMI out of my kids' aptop to RCA audio/vid for my old receiver/TV? I'd like to try streaming wirelessly to the laptop & watch on the ol' CRT.

short answer, no
there are adapters, but they do not work for a laptop/pc

NOTE: DO NOT SUPPORT SIGNAL FROM VCR, COMPUTER OR LAPTOP OUTPUT

http://www.brilliantstore.com/hdmi_cables_dekcell_cpa_1369.html

 

[SkaredShtles]

short answer, no
there are adapters, but they do not work for a laptop/pc

http://www.brilliantstore.com/hdmi_cables_dekcell_cpa_1369.html

Stupid... stupid.

 

[IH8Rice]

what other types of outputs does the laptop have?
it doesnt have a vga output? you could use that and a 3.5mm cable from the headphone output

 

[SkaredShtles]

what other types of outputs does the laptop have?
it doesnt have a vga output? you could use that and a 3.5mm cable from the headphone output

Yah - it has VGA. Is this likely to look/sound like a$$?

 

[IH8Rice]

Yah - it has VGA. Is this likely to look/sound like a$$?

sorry, i forgot to ask if you crt tv has a VGA input....my guess is it doesnt.

vga doesnt look terrible and if you get a decent 3.5mm-rca cable it should sound fine.

 

[SkaredShtles]

sorry, i forgot to ask if you crt tv has a VGA input....my guess is it doesnt.

vga doesnt look terrible and if you get a decent 3.5mm-rca cable it should sound fine.

Jeezus no my TV doesn't have a VGA input. It's a 15 year old Toshiba.

 

[IH8Rice]

Jeezus no my TV doesn't have a VGA input. It's a 15 year old Toshiba.

well, this is your last option brotha. picture will probably look like poop. stay away from s-video. its suppose to be a better connector than the standard rca, but they ALWAYS look like crap

youll need the following, plus a male-male rca cable
Amazon.com: Cables Unlimited AUD-2350 VGA to S-Video or RCA Adapter: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/210dgWV9zkL.@@AMEPARAM@@210dgWV9zkL

Amazon.com: Cables To Go - 03180 - 6ft 3.5mm Stereo Male to RCA Male Y-Cable: Cables To Go: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21WqKfmhjyL.@@AMEPARAM@@21WqKfmhjyL

these of course are cheap versions.

hope this helps

 

[valve bouncer]

Jeezus no my TV doesn't have a VGA input. It's a 15 year old Toshiba.

Hello 21st century. Just buy a proper TV you luddite.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Hello 21st century. Just buy a proper TV you luddite.

Why? This one looks fine.