Using the internet to watch TV programs

One of the questions I have been getting often lately is how to get internet video channels, Netflix streaming, YouTube, Hulu, Amazon instant, the Smithsonian channel, A&E, History, All PBS programming, CBS and NBC News, TED talk’s and literally thousands of the internet video channels on to your television for optimal viewing. If you are interested in watching any of this programming for free and didn’t already know it was available do a web search for the station or network you are interested in. Most now have a large percentage of their programming available on their website delivered directly to you, when you want it for free to watch on your computer. There are also thousand of new internet only channels with topics from knitting and sewing to automotive repair and improvement, also all available for free.  Its great to have all of this content available on your computer, but that can be limiting. It is usually much nicer to enjoy a movie on the bigger screen in the comfort of the living room. Because of this many new Televisions or Smart TV’s come with the ability to access internet programing  directly form the TV’s menu. If you don’t have or need a new TV there are a few affordable ways to access internet programing. If you already have an Xbox 360, Wii or PlayStation3 video game console connected to your TV the internet features within them allow you at access and watch high quality internet programming for free with what you already have. Many new BlueRay players also have internet channel access. If you need a new device to use with your TV from my experience the Roku player which is a very small box that connects to your TV and wirelessly to your home internet connection giving you access to thousands of channels of programming including Netflix streaming and over 100 music stations. The Roku is easy to use and can’t be beat with it’s well under $100 price tag. The Roku 2 connects to both your new HD flat screen and older TV. If you already have a large collection of music, movie or family photo’s on your computer(s) that you would like to play on the TV or sound system easily and wirelessly a $99 Apple TV is very easy to use and does a great job of connecting to your computers and streaming your own music, pictures and videos directly to your TV as well as a huge amount of online content. This is a great way to show off those digital photo’s in the living room on a slide show or with family and friends!