Cheapest way to get Netflix to a TV over a wireless network?

maximumzero

Okay, I seem to inadvertently gotten my father hooked on netflix through my Xbox 360, and y'know, I actually have a second one he can use, but the problem is that not only will I have to buy a second wireless adapter but I'll have to pay an extra $50 a month for a Live account to use.

What's the cheapest way to get Netflix to a TV that isn't an Xbox?

Spectral Swallow

Seems more like a help/advice topic, but your best bet would be a DVD player with built in wifi and netflix. They usually go for about $80ish. Alternately a Roku box is around the same price, but no DVD player.

EvilMonkey

Didn't know that you needed a gold account for netflix. That's some bs right there.

I've never used it but you may want to check out the first thing google finds
Netflix Box

Edit: And beat'd

maximumzero

Yeah, sorry I accidentally posted it in the wrong board, I actually meant it to go in Moe's Technology.

The cheapest player I see on Best Buy is $99 and doesn't have Wi-Fi...also it's a Blu-Ray player, something else I don't want or need at the moment.

Spectral Swallow

I saw a couple on Amazon a few months back when I was looking for one, but now they're all curiously gone / higher (and they were all BlueRay).

I'd say your best bet would be a Roku box. While I don't personally have one, my sister does and she has yet to have any issues with it.

maximumzero

Yeah I looked at the Roku just now...issue I'm running into there is to get the features I want I'd have to get the $99 box, namely Optical out and Component connectivity.

Xaviar

Alternately, netbooks are getting pretty cheap now-a-days, and I've seen more than one with HDMI out if you can go that way..

Delzhand

Do you happen to have a Wii? The Wii does it, without any additional costs.

maximumzero

Delzhand wrote: »

Do you happen to have a Wii? The Wii does it, without any additional costs.

Yeah, I have a Wii. But like the 360, I'd love to leave it in my room with the 360 where I have access to it at all times. Not to mention with the 360 I at least get DVD playback... Losing one problem for another it seems.

maximumzero

Xaviar wrote: »

Alternately, netbooks are getting pretty cheap now-a-days, and I've seen more than one with HDMI out if you can go that way..

HDMI isn't an option unfortunately.

gjaustin

Do you have an old computer sitting around? I use a fairly crappy old laptop that I connected up to my TV.

I just bought some converter cables and a wireless mouse.

maximumzero

gjaustin wrote: »

Do you have an old computer sitting around? I use a fairly crappy old laptop that I connected up to my TV.

I just bought some converter cables and a wireless mouse.

Unfortunately the only crappy laptop I have lying about doesn't meet the requirements for Netflix streaming.

Synthesis

maximumzero wrote: »

Delzhand wrote: »

Do you happen to have a Wii? The Wii does it, without any additional costs.

Yeah, I have a Wii. But like the 360, I'd love to leave it in my room with the 360 where I have access to it at all times. Not to mention with the 360 I at least get DVD playback... Losing one problem for another it seems.

Wiis don't do DVD playback? I'm probably the last person on Earth to have been informed of this.

Wii doesn't do HD Netflix either (sadly--that might not matter to you though). So, it seems like the cheapest option is to get a Netflix-capable DVD player (make sure you get a good one, you do not want to have to deal with a model with a bad Wifi receiver).

maximumzero

Yeah I think that's what it's coming down to. DVD playback isn't mandatory, but would be a nice plus, and I don't need HDMI, so it looks like I'm looking for the least expensive DVD player I can find with Wi-Fi built in.

If I did have access to HDMI I'd likely just go with the Apple TV.

Xenogears of Bore

just get a cheap insignia blu ray player from best buy.

I got one cheap over the holidays for my mother so she'd surrender the Wii I carelessly left at her place one day to show her Netflix streaming and didn't get back for four months.