How do TVs work in 2018?
October 12, 2018 7:16 AM Subscribe
I have never in my adult life owned a television, but I might want to change that. What is the shortest path to me watching a movie on a larger-than-laptop screen? Can I go to Target, buy a TV, and plug my laptop into it? Do I need some other kind of device? Am I going to have to spend an hour trying to get my TV to connect to my wifi? Talk to me like I'm 85 years old and do not understand any TV technology that doesn't come with bunny ears.
You need HDMI out on your laptop. It should be labeled. If you have it, then just go buy a TV, it doesn't matter which one, they all have HDMI. Also buy an HDMI cable, doesn't matter which one. Plug the cable into your laptop and the other end of the cable into an HDMI port on your new TV. That's it.
If you don't have HDMI out on your laptop, it gets more complicated.
posted by Automocar at 7:22 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you don't have HDMI out on your laptop, it gets more complicated.
posted by Automocar at 7:22 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
If your laptop has an HDMI port, you can quite easily connect that to just about any modern tv and your laptop will treat that as a monitor (and usually automatically route the audio through the tv speakers, but that is not as fool-proof, depends on your operating system and settings). If you're just watching an occasional DVD, this is probably a good method.
If you're streaming a movie rather than watching a DVD/bluray or something stored on your laptop's hard drive, getting a streaming device is fairly straightforward and makes things a little easier for frequent movie watching. These devices connect via an HDMI port to the tv and via ethernet or wifi to the internet, so the laptop computer isn't part of the equation after the initial setup. I prefer the roku streaming sticks (they're around $40-60) but there are a lot of competitors that will mostly do the same thing. This is, in my opinion, the best option if you're just looking to stream netflix/hulu/etc.
posted by skewed at 7:27 AM on October 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
If you're streaming a movie rather than watching a DVD/bluray or something stored on your laptop's hard drive, getting a streaming device is fairly straightforward and makes things a little easier for frequent movie watching. These devices connect via an HDMI port to the tv and via ethernet or wifi to the internet, so the laptop computer isn't part of the equation after the initial setup. I prefer the roku streaming sticks (they're around $40-60) but there are a lot of competitors that will mostly do the same thing. This is, in my opinion, the best option if you're just looking to stream netflix/hulu/etc.
posted by skewed at 7:27 AM on October 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Many TVs have horrible built in speakers, so additional sound gear is often desirable, although not strictly required. I guess my point is to be aware of the sound quality when shopping if you intend for the TV to provide both audio and video.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 7:27 AM on October 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 7:27 AM on October 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Can I go to Target, buy a TV, and plug my laptop into it?Almost certainly! But depending on the laptop, you may need an adapter. Modern TVs pretty much all use HDMI, and many laptops do, too. Yours may have a VGA out if it's quite old, a MiniDisplayPort or just DisplayPort if it's a Surface or (I think) a macbook air, or it may have an HDMI out already, or if it's brand new it may have only USB-C. As long as you have the right adapter, though, it is as easy as you hope, and adapters are easy to come by (often called dongles).
Am I going to have to spend an hour trying to get my TV to connect to my wifi?Only if you want to. Many TVs have this ability, but almost none of them require it. Even if you want to connect it to Wifi (there aren't very many good reasons, IMO), it should be relatively painless. It just takes a while to enter passwords with a TV remote.
Another option which is gaining in popularity is casting, where you plug something into the TV and then you can send whatever is on your laptop screen to the TV wirelessly. This is what Google Chromecast does, for instance.
If all you want is netflix/hulu/etc., then I think the roku stick and the amazon fire stick will do this without even the need for a laptop in the mix. It's just a thing you plug into the hdmi port and connect to your wifi.
Anyway, TVs are pretty standardized now, even if laptops aren't, so it will be hard to make a serious mistake.
posted by dbx at 7:27 AM on October 12, 2018
Also, I know you mention bunny ears, but all television broadcasts are digital now and the quality is amazing if you live in an area where you can get a signal. This website is a good resource--you put in your address or just your ZIP code and it will give you a prediction of what channels you can get with what kinds of antennas.
posted by Automocar at 7:28 AM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Automocar at 7:28 AM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
I think one missing bit of information we need is: what kinds of things do you want to be watching on your TV? Because that can affect what you need.
* If you want to watch regular TV shows, you have two choices: Get a TV and a cable TV subscription, or get a TV and a digital antenna (the 21st-century equivalent of "bunny ears"). The digital antenna is a flat thing about the size of a standard piece of paper that plugs into your TV, and works just like the bunny ears - you can use it to pick up the signals for a handful of channels. Different strength antennas pick up different numbers of channels, but it's usually only a handful, usually the main "big 3" networks and a few others.
* If you sign up for a cable package, the cable company gives you the doohickey you plug into your TV and has instructions for how to set it up; if you're unsure of your skill, they also can have someone come do it for you for a small fee. The number of channels you get depends on the subscription you get - the basic channel package contains the main big 3 networks and about 40 others, and the different price points add additional channels. Note that you will have to pay separately for the "movie" channels like HBO and Cinemax.
* If what you want is to stream things from Netflix or Hulu, though, that's different. The Roku device people mention is another doohickey you plug into your TV, and you use THAT to feed Netflix or Hulu into your TV. You shouldn't need to connect your laptop to it at all. You won't be able to get the more traditional "TV" channels on it, or at least not many, but you'd be able to stream anything on Netflix if you have an account with them. You'd need the Netflix account, though, to have the Roku device sign on to it.
It sounds like all you want to do is stream stuff from Netflix, and any TV you get new in Target should have the ability to plug the Roku device (or a similar device) right into it so you can do that and needn't involve your laptop at all. If you want to be able to watch Network shows, though, you may want to look into adding a digital antenna (if you only want stuff on CBS or ABC or the like) or a proper cable subscription (if you want things on like ESPN, BBC America, Discovery Channel, etc.).
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:39 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
* If you want to watch regular TV shows, you have two choices: Get a TV and a cable TV subscription, or get a TV and a digital antenna (the 21st-century equivalent of "bunny ears"). The digital antenna is a flat thing about the size of a standard piece of paper that plugs into your TV, and works just like the bunny ears - you can use it to pick up the signals for a handful of channels. Different strength antennas pick up different numbers of channels, but it's usually only a handful, usually the main "big 3" networks and a few others.
* If you sign up for a cable package, the cable company gives you the doohickey you plug into your TV and has instructions for how to set it up; if you're unsure of your skill, they also can have someone come do it for you for a small fee. The number of channels you get depends on the subscription you get - the basic channel package contains the main big 3 networks and about 40 others, and the different price points add additional channels. Note that you will have to pay separately for the "movie" channels like HBO and Cinemax.
* If what you want is to stream things from Netflix or Hulu, though, that's different. The Roku device people mention is another doohickey you plug into your TV, and you use THAT to feed Netflix or Hulu into your TV. You shouldn't need to connect your laptop to it at all. You won't be able to get the more traditional "TV" channels on it, or at least not many, but you'd be able to stream anything on Netflix if you have an account with them. You'd need the Netflix account, though, to have the Roku device sign on to it.
It sounds like all you want to do is stream stuff from Netflix, and any TV you get new in Target should have the ability to plug the Roku device (or a similar device) right into it so you can do that and needn't involve your laptop at all. If you want to be able to watch Network shows, though, you may want to look into adding a digital antenna (if you only want stuff on CBS or ABC or the like) or a proper cable subscription (if you want things on like ESPN, BBC America, Discovery Channel, etc.).
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:39 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Can I go to Target, buy a TV, and plug my laptop into it?
Yeah you sure can and it's fucking sweet. Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be. Just HDMI and go.
If you really dig the convenience of the setup and want to do more, there's plenty of stuff you can do with apps, TV tuners, media centers, cable, whatever, and IMO a wireless keyboard+trackpad is just super awesome. But absolutely none of that is necessary. For now just plug in an HDMI cable and use the TV as a big fucking monitor.
posted by phunniemee at 7:45 AM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
Yeah you sure can and it's fucking sweet. Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be. Just HDMI and go.
If you really dig the convenience of the setup and want to do more, there's plenty of stuff you can do with apps, TV tuners, media centers, cable, whatever, and IMO a wireless keyboard+trackpad is just super awesome. But absolutely none of that is necessary. For now just plug in an HDMI cable and use the TV as a big fucking monitor.
posted by phunniemee at 7:45 AM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
Also buy an HDMI cable, doesn't matter which one.
If you have time, order a cheap hdmi cable from amazon or monoprice. Target and Bestbuy and such will absolutely screw you eight ways from Sunday on stuff like hdmi cables -- like you might pay $20 for something you could get for $5 in a couple days.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 7:48 AM on October 12, 2018 [6 favorites]
If you have time, order a cheap hdmi cable from amazon or monoprice. Target and Bestbuy and such will absolutely screw you eight ways from Sunday on stuff like hdmi cables -- like you might pay $20 for something you could get for $5 in a couple days.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 7:48 AM on October 12, 2018 [6 favorites]
We have been using the plug in via HDMI cable on our old tv and its pretty straight forward. Just need to click the bit on the remote control to switch to the HDMI input (usally a rectangle with an arrow coming in from the left). We got a new telly about 3 months ago and it had apps as standard to use prime, youtube, Netflix et al as standard. Was a total doddle to pick up on my wifi router and I am a moron when it comes to electronic business. Not had a problem since. I didn't feel the need to get angry at any point, which is a rare occasion for me setting up stuff.
posted by biffa at 7:50 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by biffa at 7:50 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you want to watch regular TV shows, you have two choices
Three now. You can get what are basically stripped-down cable channel packages, including, in many places, regular network channels, from the "Over The Top" services via streaming for a good bit less than a full cable subscription (depending on your choices, of course). Popular options are Sling, DirecTV Now (does not need a satellite), and YouTube TV, but smaller ones have started to proliferate. You can usually try them free for a week/a month/some such. You'll need some sort of streaming device like the Roku (~$30-$70, depending on how fancy you get) that you will plug in to one of your TV's HDMI inputs. You turn on your TV and you select that input so you can see it. It takes no longer to connect the Roku to your WiFi than it did your laptop, except you don't have a keyboard so you have to select the letters one by one from the password screen. Then Sling, etc. will appear as options just like Netflix or Hulu would.
If the OTT services meet your needs, one real advantage of them over cable is that they are month to month. You can quit and start up again anytime (online, no phone call required). No stupid contract (no lies about monthly charges!), no equipment to return, nothing to rent. I always used a fairly bare-bones cable package so the savings aren't huge month to month, but that alone would make them a winner in my mind.
posted by praemunire at 7:51 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Three now. You can get what are basically stripped-down cable channel packages, including, in many places, regular network channels, from the "Over The Top" services via streaming for a good bit less than a full cable subscription (depending on your choices, of course). Popular options are Sling, DirecTV Now (does not need a satellite), and YouTube TV, but smaller ones have started to proliferate. You can usually try them free for a week/a month/some such. You'll need some sort of streaming device like the Roku (~$30-$70, depending on how fancy you get) that you will plug in to one of your TV's HDMI inputs. You turn on your TV and you select that input so you can see it. It takes no longer to connect the Roku to your WiFi than it did your laptop, except you don't have a keyboard so you have to select the letters one by one from the password screen. Then Sling, etc. will appear as options just like Netflix or Hulu would.
If the OTT services meet your needs, one real advantage of them over cable is that they are month to month. You can quit and start up again anytime (online, no phone call required). No stupid contract (no lies about monthly charges!), no equipment to return, nothing to rent. I always used a fairly bare-bones cable package so the savings aren't huge month to month, but that alone would make them a winner in my mind.
posted by praemunire at 7:51 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
These devices connect via an HDMI port to the tv and via ethernet or wifi to the internet, so the laptop computer isn't part of the equation after the initial setup.
There's also the Google Chromecast, which once set up on your wifi network is controlled from your computer or phone with something like the Google Chrome web browser or the Google Home phone app. It's kind of like directly plugging the laptop into a TV via cable, and can display whatever is on the computer's desktop on the TV, but wirelessly. (And some TVs and other devices have it built-in.)
It's convenient but especially with a slow computer can be more temperamental than just plugging in with an HDMI cable. (Or if you're watching a streaming service like Netflix or Youtube, the Roku-type streaming devices which often come with a hand-held remote control the way a cable box does can be easier to use, though less flexible, than a Chromecast.)
Just in general, by the way, you can probably bring your laptop to the retail store where you're going to buy the TV and ask them to actually show you the steps to plugging in a cable via the laptop's HDMI port, for example, using their own cable to show you it works. And they probably have at least some streaming devices set up so that you can see how those are used before you buy them.
posted by XMLicious at 7:51 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
Almost all TVs now are smart TVs, so for most functions you won't have to plug in your laptop or get an external box.
We followed Wirecutter's recommendation for the TCL with built in Roku. The 32" is about $140 and is available at about any store you can think of. The setup is amazingly easy. If the Roku isn't enough you can link your laptop later with a cable or Chromecast.
Also, don't worry about picture quality. If you've been watching on your laptop, all TVs will look amazing to you.
And if you want to save a few bucks, used flat-screen TVs are often under $50 on Craigslist in my neighborhood.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 7:53 AM on October 12, 2018 [4 favorites]
We followed Wirecutter's recommendation for the TCL with built in Roku. The 32" is about $140 and is available at about any store you can think of. The setup is amazingly easy. If the Roku isn't enough you can link your laptop later with a cable or Chromecast.
Also, don't worry about picture quality. If you've been watching on your laptop, all TVs will look amazing to you.
And if you want to save a few bucks, used flat-screen TVs are often under $50 on Craigslist in my neighborhood.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 7:53 AM on October 12, 2018 [4 favorites]
The 32" is about $140 and is available at about any store you can think of.
Wait for a sale and you can get a 50" TCL for $140. TVs are crazy cheap now.
I also recommend a ROKU tv (any brand), since all the internet/netflix type functions are built right into remote, and they have a decent (not perfect) free channel.
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:10 AM on October 12, 2018
Wait for a sale and you can get a 50" TCL for $140. TVs are crazy cheap now.
I also recommend a ROKU tv (any brand), since all the internet/netflix type functions are built right into remote, and they have a decent (not perfect) free channel.
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:10 AM on October 12, 2018
One thing to take into consideration is where you will place the TV -- if you're going to put it on a small
tabletop, measure it. Some TVs have wide feet, some have a central pedestal. You can also do a wall mount.
nthing a TCL Roku if you are primarily streaming, and there will be no tangle of cords, just plug it in.
posted by sageleaf at 8:23 AM on October 12, 2018
tabletop, measure it. Some TVs have wide feet, some have a central pedestal. You can also do a wall mount.
nthing a TCL Roku if you are primarily streaming, and there will be no tangle of cords, just plug it in.
posted by sageleaf at 8:23 AM on October 12, 2018
Can I go to Target, buy a TV, and plug my laptop into it?
If your computer has HDMI output, then yes.
Do I need some other kind of device?
Not if your computer has HDMI output and you're happy plugging it into the TV. If your computer doesn't have HDMI output (see the alphabet soup of possible connections above) you'd need an adapter of some sort. If you want to be able to use the computer from where you sit, but have the picture on the TV, you might want some sort of dongle that connects to the TV's HDMI port and lets your computer send stuff to it wirelessly. In the Apple world that's an AppleTV; in the Google world that's a Chromecast; in the more open standards world it's a Roku. Look those up and see if one of them fits your needs better than the others.
Am I going to have to spend an hour trying to get my TV to connect to my wifi?
Depends on what you want to do. Our smart TV has apps for Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and a whole bunch of other things. They mostly don't suck*, and we use them. If your TV comes with apps that don't suck and you use a supported streaming service, then sure, set it up. If the apps suck but you want to use streaming services, see about getting a dongle, as above. If you don't use any streaming services at all, and you're plugging your laptop in every time, then no, you don't need to set up the wifi on the TV at all.
* The Sling app sucked, but we only used it for a month for the Olympics. The Amazon app had a period where it would occasionally just stop launching, forcing me to remove it and reinstall it. The current version doesn't have that problem, but they seem to have left out part of the support for the remote control, so it's not perfect. The Netflix app, on the other hand, has been and continues to be solid.
posted by fedward at 8:30 AM on October 12, 2018
If your computer has HDMI output, then yes.
Do I need some other kind of device?
Not if your computer has HDMI output and you're happy plugging it into the TV. If your computer doesn't have HDMI output (see the alphabet soup of possible connections above) you'd need an adapter of some sort. If you want to be able to use the computer from where you sit, but have the picture on the TV, you might want some sort of dongle that connects to the TV's HDMI port and lets your computer send stuff to it wirelessly. In the Apple world that's an AppleTV; in the Google world that's a Chromecast; in the more open standards world it's a Roku. Look those up and see if one of them fits your needs better than the others.
Am I going to have to spend an hour trying to get my TV to connect to my wifi?
Depends on what you want to do. Our smart TV has apps for Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and a whole bunch of other things. They mostly don't suck*, and we use them. If your TV comes with apps that don't suck and you use a supported streaming service, then sure, set it up. If the apps suck but you want to use streaming services, see about getting a dongle, as above. If you don't use any streaming services at all, and you're plugging your laptop in every time, then no, you don't need to set up the wifi on the TV at all.
* The Sling app sucked, but we only used it for a month for the Olympics. The Amazon app had a period where it would occasionally just stop launching, forcing me to remove it and reinstall it. The current version doesn't have that problem, but they seem to have left out part of the support for the remote control, so it's not perfect. The Netflix app, on the other hand, has been and continues to be solid.
posted by fedward at 8:30 AM on October 12, 2018
After watching on my laptop for years, I got a Roku. It's a USB wifi enabled device. Most sources that provide streamable content online have created a Roku channel. Choose the channel and watch. I watch the news on the CBS Roku channel, Amazon Prime, and just watched Ghostbusters on Roku's channel. Many tvs now have Roku, netflix, etc. acess and wifi built in, and that's handy.
I also have a Mohu leaf digital antenna. TV is still broadcast over the air. I get several networks, sadly, not PBS.
posted by theora55 at 8:36 AM on October 12, 2018
I also have a Mohu leaf digital antenna. TV is still broadcast over the air. I get several networks, sadly, not PBS.
posted by theora55 at 8:36 AM on October 12, 2018
We use a Roku + a not smart TV that we acquired when we still had DirecTV.
The TV is a Sony, 10ish years old, and the external Roku was about $100 on Amazon. Our set up requires two remotes, one to turn the tv on and control volume, the Roku remote for app and then viewing selection. Two remotes might be annoying for you, after about a day we just got used to it so it's nbd.
Someone above mentioned TV speakers; we're not audiophiles in the least but we do notice that we have to adjust the volume during action scenes or if there's dramatic music involved in the scene - that is particularly annoying. We live with it but if it's the kind of thing that will bug you, you may wish to do some research about how to address that issue.
posted by vignettist at 8:53 AM on October 12, 2018
The TV is a Sony, 10ish years old, and the external Roku was about $100 on Amazon. Our set up requires two remotes, one to turn the tv on and control volume, the Roku remote for app and then viewing selection. Two remotes might be annoying for you, after about a day we just got used to it so it's nbd.
Someone above mentioned TV speakers; we're not audiophiles in the least but we do notice that we have to adjust the volume during action scenes or if there's dramatic music involved in the scene - that is particularly annoying. We live with it but if it's the kind of thing that will bug you, you may wish to do some research about how to address that issue.
posted by vignettist at 8:53 AM on October 12, 2018
Assuming you mainly just want to stream, go to Target, buy any old TV with an HDMI port and then buy a Chromecast at that very same Target. Take them home, plug them both in, plug the Chromecast into the TV, turn the TV on, follow the on-screen instructions for getting your Chromecast connected to your wifi. Fin. It is dead simple.
How it works is that the Chromecast directly connects to your wifi and can use any other devices on the same wifi network to give it instructions. Instructions such as, "This movie I am about to press play on in Netflix? Put that on the TV instead." The nice thing is that with most streaming services you then don't need to keep your laptop or phone on because the Chromecast takes it from there. The Chromecast is a little single-function mini-computer and it gets the URL of what you want to stream and your log-in credentials from your phone or laptop and then runs with those on its own. However, if you do run across something that the Chromecast won't natively stream (like Prime because Amazon is a competitor of Google and they don't want to make easy for you to use a Chromecast instead of a Fire Stick), you can still tell it to cast your entire browser tab to your TV, no matter what's in it. In that case you do need to keep your laptop on somewhere in the house, because the Chromecast isn't acting in lieu of your computer, it's just mirroring the display.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:43 AM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
How it works is that the Chromecast directly connects to your wifi and can use any other devices on the same wifi network to give it instructions. Instructions such as, "This movie I am about to press play on in Netflix? Put that on the TV instead." The nice thing is that with most streaming services you then don't need to keep your laptop or phone on because the Chromecast takes it from there. The Chromecast is a little single-function mini-computer and it gets the URL of what you want to stream and your log-in credentials from your phone or laptop and then runs with those on its own. However, if you do run across something that the Chromecast won't natively stream (like Prime because Amazon is a competitor of Google and they don't want to make easy for you to use a Chromecast instead of a Fire Stick), you can still tell it to cast your entire browser tab to your TV, no matter what's in it. In that case you do need to keep your laptop on somewhere in the house, because the Chromecast isn't acting in lieu of your computer, it's just mirroring the display.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:43 AM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
No one yet has talked about using a memory stick to watch content that exists as files. I have an archive of ripped DVDs and whatnot and sneakernet them from my computers to my TCL TV via a USB stick, and watch them with a native app.
The question, however, is "What is the shortest path to me watching a movie on a larger-than-laptop screen?", and honestly the shortest is buy a TV that natively supports Netflix or Amazon or whatever streaming service has the movies/content you want and just use that, no laptop required (assumes you have an internet connection available). Watching a disc (DVD/BluRay) is a slightly longer path which has been mapped in previous answers. Seconding The Wirecutter's recommendations.
posted by achrise at 9:45 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
The question, however, is "What is the shortest path to me watching a movie on a larger-than-laptop screen?", and honestly the shortest is buy a TV that natively supports Netflix or Amazon or whatever streaming service has the movies/content you want and just use that, no laptop required (assumes you have an internet connection available). Watching a disc (DVD/BluRay) is a slightly longer path which has been mapped in previous answers. Seconding The Wirecutter's recommendations.
posted by achrise at 9:45 AM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you're not sure if your laptop has hdmi, do what my 85 yo grandmother does and take a picture of all the inputs on your computer with you when you buy the TV. That way you can say to the sales person "make it speak to this" and they can establish whether you need any other adapters.
posted by cholly at 1:17 PM on October 12, 2018
posted by cholly at 1:17 PM on October 12, 2018
People are making this complicated because they are answering your question too literally. Yes, you can plug a laptop into a TV, but you don't need to anymore.
Get any TV , even a cheap one. I doubt you will find one without Netflix, Hulu, Prime logos all over the box/site, which means that's all you need. Plug it in to power and it will walk you through connecting to your wifi..
You need an account on a service like Netflix, Hulu, Prime, Sling, YouTube Live - I'm assuming you already do and watch on your laptop. The services will walk you through logging in on screen. Boom, you're set.
Everything else is gravy.
Yes, you can get a gadget like Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast, but they do about the same thing your TV already does. (They look and work a bit nicer - we use a Roku now, but were just fine without it and using the plain smart TV.)
posted by troyer at 2:11 PM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
Get any TV , even a cheap one. I doubt you will find one without Netflix, Hulu, Prime logos all over the box/site, which means that's all you need. Plug it in to power and it will walk you through connecting to your wifi..
You need an account on a service like Netflix, Hulu, Prime, Sling, YouTube Live - I'm assuming you already do and watch on your laptop. The services will walk you through logging in on screen. Boom, you're set.
Everything else is gravy.
Yes, you can get a gadget like Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast, but they do about the same thing your TV already does. (They look and work a bit nicer - we use a Roku now, but were just fine without it and using the plain smart TV.)
posted by troyer at 2:11 PM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]
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If you're just looking to watch netflix or something, many tvs let you install those apps on the tv itself.
posted by galaxypeachtea at 7:22 AM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]