There are lots of great Websites that allow you lot download your favorite idiot box shows and movies for free. If you don't want to watch your favorite show or a movie on your calculator'due south pocket-sized screen, there are several methods for connecting your PC to your Television set or getting Net content on your TV, ranging from simple cables to more complex (and feature-rich) wireless kits.

Lookout man Skillful Housekeeping Research Institute test engineer Rachel Rothman walk you through the process.

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Basic Cables

The easiest and frequently most inexpensive method for linking your calculator with your Idiot box is a matching cable connectedness (i.e., Boob tube has VGA input and computer has VGA output). If yous have the adequacy (both pieces of equipment accept the proper ports), HDMI cables allow for amend video quality. Just plug the cables into both devices and install any necessary software from the CD included with the cables, and you'll be able to watch downloaded programs on your TV in no time. The limitation of this setup: Your computer has to exist nearly your Television receiver (limited by the length of the cables).

HDMI port

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Media Platforms Design Squad

VGA port

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Media Platforms Pattern Team

If in that location isn't a friction match between video inputs to outputs, it may nevertheless be possible to connect the two. Most computers are equipped with the post-obit: xv-pin VGA output, DVI connection, or Due south-video output. While analog TVs traditionally take merely an South-video input, digital TVs accept one of the three merely mentioned. VGA or DVI will offer ameliorate prototype quality, so if yous have those options utilize them outset. Prior to connecting, download the latest drivers for your reckoner'due south video carte (look in the transmission, in your computer's help menus, and on the CD included with the cables for more than data).

S-video port

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Media Platforms Design Team

Blended port

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Media Platforms Pattern Squad

Become Wireless

Though wireless kits can seem complex, this method of linking your TV and PC eliminates cablevision clutter, allowing you lot to stream content between the two devices, even from room to room or across the business firm.

Attempt a media player, like D-Link'due south PC-on-Television set (Model DPG-1200, $230, dlink.com), which lets yous stream Internet and computer content like movies, photos, and music without any cables. One benefit of such a device is that it allows you to connect to one or many network-enabled computers located in a unlike parts of your firm: The PC-on-TV Media Player'due south remote command allows y'all to control your PC remotely, then you can play movies and launch applications on your Tv as if yous're using a mouse at the computer.

IOGEAR's wireless audio/video kit ($350, iogear.com) is some other wireless selection for linking your Television and one PC. IOGEAR'due south system offers wireless audio and HD video, operates very fast, and is easy and secure to fix. Another advantage is that the kit includes a certified wireless USB, which will work with other certified products.

The Xbox 360 Console ($300, xbox.com) isn't just for video games: With a costless Xbox Live subscription yous tin can rent movies and get Tv set downloads. Kids tin can enjoy its free trials of hundreds of games and add together-ons (including new songs, levels, and characters). With an Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter ($100, xbox.com), you can stream recorded TV shows, movies, and videos from a PC with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center to your console. Plus, when you subscribe to whatever Netflix plan over $8.99 that offers unlimited streaming, you gain access to more than 12,000 movies and TV shows if you have an Xbox LIVE Gold business relationship ($50, xbox.com). Xbox Gold as well offers photograph sharing, plus gaming extras similar online gaming and Xbox LIVE parties. Soon, Xbox Alive Gilt volition also connect you to Twitter, Facebook, and more. To see the other devices that offer live streaming of Netflix videos, check out Rachel'south weblog.

Internet-Set up Televisions

In the market for a new tv set? Some other selection that requires no boosted cables or hardware is to invest in an Net-connected Television set. Most of the major TV manufacturers offer Internet-set up devices, which, while they don't allow you to surf all over the Web, have partnered with various sites like YouTube, Flickr, Amazon Video on Need, and more. To run into a more complete list of Internet-ready TVs, run across Rachel's weblog post.