Get Netflix Instant View on Your TV

June 29, 2010, By Phil Dotree 5 comments

If you've got a Netflix subscription, one of the best ways to spend even more time in front of the tube is with Netflix Instant View, which can stream hundreds of movies and television shows to your TV. However, you're going to need the right equipment.

Here's a look at how you can easily (and hopefully, inexpensively) send Netflix Instant View straight to your TV.

Dedicated streaming-video boxes. One of the cheapest ways to get up and running is a dedicated box; Netflix recommends Roku's $99 high-definition WiFi unit. It works pretty well but it's light on the extras. The same can be said for the other dedicated boxes; some will give you YouTube but nothing really spectacular.

Video game systems. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii all allow you to stream Netflix straight to your television. While the Wii doesn't support high-definition video, the other game systems do. There's a snag, though; the PS3 and Nintendo Wii both require a separate "Netflix disc," which is free from Netflix, and the Xbox 360 requires a Gold membership to Xbox Live, which doubles the cost of your Netflix subscription. This means that the PS3 is the cheapest, highest-quality choice of the three. It also supports MLB.tv, allowing you to watch every baseball game that isn't subject to blackout restrictions. An MLB.tv account is required. It's worth mentioning that both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 play DVDs, and some pretty cool video games, too. If you've got kids or a wife, you should have an easy time explaining to them that your new state-of-the-art video game console is "just for the Netflix."

Blu-ray DVD players. There are a number of Blu-ray players that can handle Netflix, and they're all listed on Netflix's page. You'll probably be paying a good hunk of change, but you won't have to regularly switch out your DVDs for a special Netflix disc as you would with a video game system. Using a Blu-ray player can also seem a bit classier to some folks. Check out LG's BD570, which looks great, won't break the bank and is very compatible with a host of websites such as Pandora, YouTube and Picasa.

Internet TVs. We only recommend Internet connected TVs to guys with a lot of disposable income because man, they get expensive fast. However, for your money you get a fully integrated device that connects to Netflix without any wires, discs or other hoopla. If you're a neat guy and you value simplicity, you can get it from an Internet TV.
There are only a few television companies with devices that connect directly to Netflix right now. Our pick is the Sony Bravia NX700, which is fairly affordable at $1,600 and big enough for most living rooms at 46 inches. Sony's got substance to go with style, and the interface for its Internet TVs is very simple and intuitive.

Once you've got your Netflix hooked up, be sure to head over to the parental settings on any of these devices if you have kids. If not, start up a Stallone movie ("Demolition Man" if you want to feel really futuristic) while you wait for your cable company to take your cancellation order.