Netflix is an online rental service that offers Internet video streaming. You can watch the streaming movies and TV shows on a computer with Windows and Internet Explorer, or you can stream it to your HDTV with HDMI cables using a Netflix-ready streaming device with HD support or a computer. Not all Netflix-streaming devices have HDMI support, such as the Nintendo Wii, so select a device that meets your needs.
Step 1
Decide if you're going to connect a computer with HDMI-out to your television, or if you're going to use a Netflix-ready device. A device dedicated to streaming Netflix is less expensive than a computer with HD support, but it won't allow you to play computer games and browse the Web on your television.
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Step 2
Purchase the streaming device you're going to use. Select the device that offers HDMI-out and is within your budget. Make sure your TV supports HDMI; if it doesn't, you'll need to purchase an HDTV with HDMI support.
Step 3
Connect the device to your TV using an HDMI cable. Place the device on your entertainment system in a location where it is easily accessible, but it won't interfere with watching movies. Plug the device into the wall and turn it on. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI-out port on the streaming device or computer, then connect the other end to the HDMI-in port on your TV. Switch your TV to the "HDMI" mode; the television may have more than one HDMI mode if it has multiple HDMI ports. For example, it may have "HDMI 1" and "HDMI 2" if it has two HDMI ports.
Step 4
Enter your Netflix account information on the streaming device using the remote that came with it, or, if you're using a computer, by launching the browser and navigating to "Netflix.com." Log in as usual. Once the streaming device has been tethered to your account, select a video to make sure the picture shows up correctly on your TV.
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