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Thursday
March 18, 2010 Since 1922 |
Internet movies to TV
By Aaron Barbee
Contributor Published October 24, 2009 Continuing on my journey to save money by using technology smarter, I’ve come across a huge bombshell. It’s called Roku (roku.com). Back in September 2006 I wrote about the Internet shifting to a position where it may take over broadcast television. I speculated of a time when you would be able to plug an Internet connection into your television and be able to watch shows directly from the Internet. Well, that time is now.
I still have neither broadcast antenna television, nor any subscription service of that type. I’ve been watching the two shows I like free over the Internet from my computer. Yeah, it’s a bit awkward, but a couple hours a week isn’t a lot for someone glued to the computer as much as I am.
The one thing I did miss was being able to record and watch movies on my television. I’ve been frequenting Blockbuster a bit more than I wanted to, but I came up with a great solution to that.
Netflix (netflix.com) is an Internet service that lets you rent as many movies as you want for a flat monthly fee. The service starts out at $8.99 per month, and goes up a few bucks depending on how many you want checked out at the same time. Movies are sent to you in the mail, and when you’re done, you mail them back. When Netflix gets it back, they’ll send you the next one on your list you set up with them. Quite a few movies are
available instantly online to be viewed from the computer. The online viewing is unlimited with any of the plans. It’s a pretty neat concept; movie buffs should definitely check it out.
Here’s where Roku comes into play. Roku is a device that will let you receive shows from the Internet and play them directly on your television. Right now Roku supports Netflix, Amazon and MLB.com. In the near future I can definitely see Roku expanding to other content such as YouTube, Hulu (a television show Web site), and other similar services. The Roku device is very new. It was introduced mid 2008, so it’s got a lot of growing ahead of it.
Some devices are now being sold with Internet connections built into them, eliminating the need for a Roku box. Expect more services like Roku and Netflix to appear to Internet-ready televisions. Being a couch potato has never been easier.
Check out my Web site www.TexasComputerGuru.com for supplemental information and previous articles as well.
Aaron Barbee owns Texas Computer Guru, a local computer services company for on-site business and residential needs. He can be contacted at 281-628-5099. E-mail questions for Aaron to sunnews(at)baytownsun.com.
Contributor Published October 24, 2009 Continuing on my journey to save money by using technology smarter, I’ve come across a huge bombshell. It’s called Roku (roku.com). Back in September 2006 I wrote about the Internet shifting to a position where it may take over broadcast television. I speculated of a time when you would be able to plug an Internet connection into your television and be able to watch shows directly from the Internet. Well, that time is now.
I still have neither broadcast antenna television, nor any subscription service of that type. I’ve been watching the two shows I like free over the Internet from my computer. Yeah, it’s a bit awkward, but a couple hours a week isn’t a lot for someone glued to the computer as much as I am.
The one thing I did miss was being able to record and watch movies on my television. I’ve been frequenting Blockbuster a bit more than I wanted to, but I came up with a great solution to that.
Netflix (netflix.com) is an Internet service that lets you rent as many movies as you want for a flat monthly fee. The service starts out at $8.99 per month, and goes up a few bucks depending on how many you want checked out at the same time. Movies are sent to you in the mail, and when you’re done, you mail them back. When Netflix gets it back, they’ll send you the next one on your list you set up with them. Quite a few movies are
available instantly online to be viewed from the computer. The online viewing is unlimited with any of the plans. It’s a pretty neat concept; movie buffs should definitely check it out.
Here’s where Roku comes into play. Roku is a device that will let you receive shows from the Internet and play them directly on your television. Right now Roku supports Netflix, Amazon and MLB.com. In the near future I can definitely see Roku expanding to other content such as YouTube, Hulu (a television show Web site), and other similar services. The Roku device is very new. It was introduced mid 2008, so it’s got a lot of growing ahead of it.
Some devices are now being sold with Internet connections built into them, eliminating the need for a Roku box. Expect more services like Roku and Netflix to appear to Internet-ready televisions. Being a couch potato has never been easier.
Check out my Web site www.TexasComputerGuru.com for supplemental information and previous articles as well.
Aaron Barbee owns Texas Computer Guru, a local computer services company for on-site business and residential needs. He can be contacted at 281-628-5099. E-mail questions for Aaron to sunnews(at)baytownsun.com.