Having built its reputation on convenient movie rentals by mail, Netflix now offers something even more convenient: Internet video streaming. The service, called Watch Instantly, allows customers instant access to a huge selection of movies online. There are now multiple methods on how you can watch movies from Netflix on your TV at home, and if you have the right TV you may not need anything else at all. Method One of Six: Laptop 1 Identify the output ports on your laptop. If you want to connect your laptop to your TV, you'll need to determine what connection ports your laptop has. This will help you figure out what cables you need, and if it is even possible. If you have the ability to use any of the above methods, you'll likely have a better experience using that instead. Most newer laptops have an HDMI output along the back or side. This is the easiest way to connect your laptop to your TV, as long as your TV has HDMI as well, and only requires a single HDMI cable. Your laptop may have a DVI output on the back. This looks like an older monitor port, with a line or "+" on the right side. If your TV also has a DVI port, you can use a DVI-to-DVI cable. If your TV doesn't have a DVI port, you'll need an adapter that will convert the DVI to HDMI. You'll also need a separate audio cable. If your laptop has a blue VGA port, you may be able to connect to a VGA port on your TV. Many newer TVs do not have VGA ports. VGA will result in a blurry image, especially on newer HDTVs. You'll also need a separate audio cable. If you're using a Macbook, you'll likely need an adapter in order to connect to an HDMI TV. Most Macbooks come with a Thunderbolt port which you can convert into an HDMI signal. 2 Connect your laptop's output port to an input on your TV. Once you've determined how to best connect your laptop, connect it to an open port on your TV. If you're connecting via DVI or VGA, you should start with your laptop and TV turned off. This isn't an issue if you're using HDMI. 3 Connect your laptop's Headphone jack to the audio input on your TV (if necessary). If you're connecting using DVI or VGA, you'll need a separate audio cable to get audio from your laptop to your TV. The audio input port on your TV will have the same label as the DVI or VGA port that you connected the laptop to. You'll need a cable that splits the single output of the laptop's headphones port to the stereo input on your TV. 4 Turn on your TV and select the correct input. Select the input that your laptop is connected to. 5 Turn on your laptop. Depending on your laptop's settings, you may see the image appear automatically when you log into Windows. 6 Switch your laptop's primary display. If you don't see an image on your TV, you can tell your laptop to output to your TV. Windows - Press ⊞ Win+P and select "Duplicate" or "Second screen only." You should see your desktop appear on the TV. If you don't see your desktop appear, ensure that you have select the correct output. Mac - Click the Apple menu and select "System Preferences." Click the "Display" option and then click the "Arrangement" tab. Check the "Mirror Displays" box to duplicate your Macbook's display on the TV. 7 Set your TV as the sound playback device. Usually your sound output will automatically change to the TV's speakers, but you may have to do this manually. Windows - Right-click the Speaker button in the System Tray and select "Playback devices." Select your TV from the list of available devices and click "Set Default." Mac - Open the System Preferences menu and select "Sound." Click the "Output" tab and select "HDMI" from the list of available outputs. 8 Sign into the Netflix website. Once everything is properly connected, you can load Netflix on your browser. Sign in with your Netflix account to access the streaming library. You'll need to have a subscription plan that supports streaming video. 9 Start playing the video you want to watch. Click a video in the Netflix library to begin playing it. If everything is connected properly, you should be able to watch it on your TV with sound. No Was this method helpful? Laptop Yes Method Two of Six: Smart TV 1 Determine if your TV is a Smart TV. Smart TVs connect to your home network, and can run media streaming apps such as Netflix. Check your TV's documentation or menu to determine if you have a Smart TV that can run streaming apps. Your remote may have a button to launch Smart TV apps. The sticker on your TV may have streaming service logos, including Netflix, which would indicate that it's a Smart TV. If you're having difficulty determining, you can perform a web search using your TV's model number. 2 Connect your Smart TV to your home network. In order to stream Netflix from your Smart TV's app, it will need to be connected to your home network. There are two ways you may be able to do this, depending on your TV: Ethernet - Some Smart TVs have Ethernet ports that allow you to connect them directly to your router. Simply plug an Ethernet cable into your router and into the TV to connect it to your network. Wi-Fi - Many newer Smart TVs have wireless adapters that you can use to wirelessly connect to your network. You'll need a wireless router in order to use the Wi-Fi adapter on the TV. Open the Network menu on your TV and select your home network. You'll need to enter the password if your network is secured. The process for this will vary from TV to TV. 3 Open your Smart TV apps. Most Smart TV remotes will have a button that opens the apps list. This button is often a logo or has the TV's brand name on it. You'll need to use the remote for your TV, not your cable box or universal remote. Samsung - The button looks like a multicolor cube. LG - Look for the "My Apps" button. Sony - Press the "Internet Apps" or Netflix button. Panasonic - Press the "Apps" button. Vizio - Press the Vizio logo or the Netflix button. 4 Select the Netflix app. Again, this process will vary depending on your TV. Some may even have a dedicated Netflix button on the remote. If you can't find the Netflix app, you may have to download it from your Smart TV's app store. You may need to update your TV's firmware in order to access streaming apps. The process for this varies, but generally you'll download the file on your computer, copy it to a USB drive, and then load that into the TV. Refer to your TV model's Support page for detailed instructions. 5 Log in with your Netflix account. Once you've opened the app, you'll be prompted to sign in with your Netflix account. Enter your login information and select your profile if given the option. Not all Smart TVs support the Netflix Profile system. You'll need to have a Netflix plan that supports streaming video. The DVD-only plans will not allow you to use the Netflix app on your TV.**prbxselfnetwork**
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