This tutorial explains how to watch Netflix Instantly on your HDTV by connecting your computer to the TV.
I subscribe to Netflix and mostly watch DVDs on the plasma HDTV. Watching Netflix on a tablet or PC is nice, but there are times when I’d like to take advantage of Netflix’s “watch instantly” streaming internet video service to view a movie with the family from the comfort of the couch on my HDTV and needed a way to hookup the computer to the TV without buying a lot of new equipment. My laptop computer has an HDMI port and all I needed is an HDMI cable.
How to Watch Netflix Instantly on your HDTV
Netflix from PC to TV
There are many Netflix Ready Devices on the market that make it easy to connect to the Internet and watch Netflix movies on your TV, the Roku Streaming Media Player
being one of the most popular. I do have an Xbox 360 that is Netflix ready but it’s connected to another TV downstairs in the game room.
Since I already have an HP laptop computer with an HDMI port, all I need to watch Internet video on my HDTV is an HDMI cable.
Netflix: Connect a PC to a HDTV
Here’s the computer to HDTV connection diagram to watch Netflix, YouTube, Hulu or any streaming Internet video on the TV. If you’re like me, you already have a:
- Netflix subscription
- broadband connection
- WiFi router
- computer with a HDMI port
- HDTV
The the only thing I needed buy was a 6-foot HDMI cable.
Netflix Instantly Computer to TV Connection Diagram
Choosing an HDMI Cable
I bought the cheapest HDMI cable I could find locally, a Dynex 6.5 foot HDMI cable with gold plated connectors from Best Buy for $39.99 over the objections of the sales staff who insisted that only the much more expensive Monster or Rocketfish cables would do. (At $39.99 the cables were way overpriced and 5 times too much!) The Monster and Rocketfish cables are prominently displayed and I had to ask where the Dynex cables could be found – way off to the side at end of an isle.
HDMI signals are digital – zeros and ones, similar in concept to the Ethernet technology, carry very little power and are less subject to interference. The Best Buy salesman was thinking (or hoping I would) about analog audio signals and speaker hookups that need hundreds of watts and big, expensive cables for the best sound. This is not the case with digital.
Try the cheapest HDMI cable first. If it doesn’t work, return it. In the digital world there’s usually no difference in picture/sound quality between the low cost generic and the expensive cable brand.
HDMI Cable Laptop Computer Connection
The computer HDMI port and cable are shown here:
Laptop Computer HDMI port and Cable
Insert the HDMI cable fully into the computer’s HDMI port.
HDMI Cable Plugged into the Laptop Computer
HDMI Cable to TV Connection
This is the audio/video connections summary from the User’s Guide for my Philips plasma HDTV. It has two HDMI ports labeled HDMI 1 and HDMI 2. Either HDMI port can be used, I choose HDMI 1 for the cable hookup.
HDTV Audio Video Connectors
The HDMI cable from the computer is plugged into HDMI port #1 on the back of the TV. (The other cables at the upper right are my existing DirecTV connections for S-Video and analog sound.)
HDMI Cable Connection to the HDTV
The Windows Vista and Windows 7 configuration steps are explained in How to Watch Netflix Instantly on your HDTV – Part 2.
Enjoy,
Bob Jackson
Copyright © 2017 HandymanHowTo.com Reproduction strictly prohibited.
Hi, I fell blessed that I found your post while searching for hdtv converter. I agree with you on the subject Watch Netflix Instantly on your HDTV – Part 1 | HandymanHowto.com. I was just thinking about this matter last Saturday.
I use a powerful free Tivo type software called MediaPortal.
http://www.team-mediaportal.org
It is truly free i.e. not a demo, shareware or trial.
At this point I would only recommend it for people who are computer enthusiasts. Although it is getting easier to use.
It is very powerfull, feature rich and fully configurable.
I only use it as a DVD dukebox (kids movies mostly) and a supersized TiVo (3TB or storage).
Hi – Thanks, this is great. I ran into one issue – sound was not through the TV speakers. How ever when I play other videos on my PC through HDMI the sound works well.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Sundeep
No sound is a problem for many readers; it either works right away – or at least after rebooting – or not.
Best bet is to check with your PC manufacturer to see that your audio drivers are up to date and search the manufacturers support forums for ‘HDMI’ and ‘audio’ for any known issues.
Please reply here if you find a solution with the particulars of your computer.
Thanks
Right click on the speaker icon in the lower right corner of your screen and it will give you options for sound mixes.
Great articule. I don’t have an HDMI port, but on my docking station, I do have a DVI port. Can I use an DVI to HDMI cable, and will that transmit the sound also? Thanks.
I haven’t tried DVI to HDMI, but my understanding is standard DVI does not have sound signals; you will need a second sound cable with RCA stereo jacks.
See these links:
DVI at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface
“Does DVI carry audio signals as well as video?” here:
http://www.cnet.com.au/does-dvi-carry-audio-signals-as-well-as-video-339270821.htm
Well how about a solution for those of us with new PCs but no HDMI port? Grrr. Perhaps a tutorial on how to use the ATT Uverse set top box and bring in Netflix that way??
> Well how about a solution for those of us with new PCs but no HDMI port?
Buy a Boxee Box – coming this summer (2010) by D-Link. It streams NetFlix and more! I was tempted by the Roku NetFlix player and I think Boxee will be a real winner with its huge variety of the supported media formats.
I may drop DIRECTV when I get my hands on a Boxee. My teenagers watch online content almost exclusively and my satellite TV viewing is down to maybe 3 hours per week for content I’ve saved on TiVo. 200+ channels of uninteresting blather for $95/month. Now if I could subscribe al a carte to the few channels that I like and skip the other junk for $30/month, that’d be a good value.
> Perhaps a tutorial on how to use the ATT Uverse set top box and bring in Netflix that way??
That’d be cool, but AT&T Uverse and Verizon Fios aren’t offered in my area.
Bob, I hope you win the lottery. You just helped an utterly confused tired working mom understand, in a very simple way, how to get Netflix watch instantly on my home TV. It’s guys like you that make the world better for the rest of us.
You should really consider a career in instructional design. I could use your expertise on the all the lame instructions on kids toys.
Again, I hope this nice gesture comes back to you, tenfold.
All my best,
Sara
I appreciate the compliments!
Thanks,
Bob
Hi I just got my LG LD550 HDTV it works great but when I turn on netflix I see the movie but I hear the sound from a regular tv show in the background not the netflix movie sound.Im also hooked up to a hdmi cable.
Is the Digital Output Device set as Default in Control Panel –> Hardware and Sound? What happened you clicked Test on the Advanced Properties tab as described in Part 2?
Is the sound coming from the TV speakers or your home theater system? Make sure the volume is turned up on the TV speakers and turn off your home theater system.
If that doesn’t work, look through the TV owner’s manual to see if the sound input source is selected independently of the picture input.
Lastly, make sure your PC audio drivers are up to date.
Hi Bob – old guy here struggling with the computer. I have Windows 7 PC and hooked up HDMI to HDMI computer to tv. Instead of the netflix movie the wallpaper from my computer shows up on the tv (no icons or anything else). Do you have any suggestions? Thanks!
Gene
Old guy? I’ve lots of gray hair, too!
Since you can see the Win7 wallpaper on the TV you’re almost there! Several suggestions:
* Try rebooting. I had to do this to get it working correctly on my Vista laptop.
* Change the computer screen to a lower resolution(s).
* Cycle through the Fn + F4 screen output selection keys (may be different Fn key on your PC): Computer only, computer + TV (HDMI), TV (HDMI) only.
There are several more troubleshooting ideas in the comments here and at the bottom of Part 2.
Please post back with what you find.
I have a visio wide screen with HD and hdmi capabilities.
Can I somewhow receive netflix movies directly to my tv, without going through my computer first? Is there some device that I can connect to my receiver on my tv and call up instance netflix?
thanks, Vic
Roku is a very popular, inexpensive and small internet appliance that supports WiFi for streaming NetFlix movies to your TV.
Here’s the full list of NetFlix Ready Devices.
Hi Bob– Looks like you are the man when it comes to Netflix streaming issues! Here is one for you. I just bought a Sony BluRay (BDP-S570) with Netflix. It’s connected to my mitsubishi 65″ DLP thru a standard HDMI connection (sound just comes out of TV speakers). For whatever reason, only certain Netflix instant access shows/movies have audio, but for most there is nothing. No sound at all, but the picture is fine. Have you ever heard of this happening? I’ve tried cutting the power off and on to the BluRay and also using a “faster” HDMI cable. But nothing has worked. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
It appears you need a firmware update from Sony for the BDP-S570 BluRay player to correct known sound problems.
Reference:
Sony releases firmware fix for sound dropout on BDP-S370 Blu-ray player dated August 27, 2010
My TV says to use the included VGA cable from the PC to the TV, as well as a cable for the audio. My PC doesnt have a HDMI jack either, so the VGA should work for you assuming you have VGA jacks.
HDMI is the best option if your TV supports it. VGA or DVI can also work.
What if I have XP and not Vista. Will these directions work for me?
The Control Panel configuration steps for WinXP will look somewhat different. I don’t have WinXP to illustrate the steps for you but these links at the Microsoft Answers WinXP forum should get you going:
1) WinXP HDMI Connection to TV.
2) WinXP Changing the Sound Output to HDMI
Hi we are trying to hook up netflix onour tv which is wifi and we need a code and of course i don’t remember it any way to change it or go around it of find it would be great. We called our internet and they think we have lost our minds. Husband having surgery soon he needs tv to watch and i need my mind back! can you help me?
So you have a WiFi enabled TV with on-board NetFlix support?
To activate your “NetFlix ready TV”:
1) Navigate the TV menu to the NetFlix icon or menu. See the NetFlix web site to find your TV and specific instructions for getting an activation code.
2) Select the NetFlix activation option on the TV. Write down the activation code.
3) On your computer, go to the NetFlix device activation web page and enter the code displayed on the TV.
Where do I find the Netflix icon on my LG LD550 TV? We don’t see it anywhere. When I look on the LG site, it says to find this info on the Netflix site; when I look on the Netflix site, it says to find this info on the LG site. Please help. We’re going crazy.
Strike that; we hadn’t finished the software update.
I have a Dell XPS M1210 laptop which does not appear to have an HDMI port [it does have 4 USB ports].
I’m interested in subscribing to NETFLIX but don’t know how I can stream from my laptop to my Sylvania HD set.
I get my cable & wireless interenet from Verizon FIOS and the cable box from FIOS has a UBS port in the front of the box. Would it be possible to use this feature to stream NETFLIZ from my laptop to the tv set.
Any advice you can offer would be most appreciated.
Thanks.
I’m not a FiOS subscriber, but my understanding is the FiOS USB ports are not active.
Since the Dell XPS M1210 laptop doesn’t have an HDMI port, you’ll have to get a VGA-to-HDMI converter box, for example the Atlona AT-HDVIEW VGA to HDMI Scaler/Converter (USB Powered) which costs around $80.
You’ll be happier, get better HiDef and save money with a Roku NetFlix player and hook it up to the TV with a HDMI cable.
I have Netflix and would like to start streamlining movies but I dont have any HDMI connection on my computer, is there any other adapter that I can buy (us to HDMI) besides the Roku Netflix player?
Computer to HDMI adapter/converters are available, although most cost as much or more than a Roku player and don’t perform nearly as well.
See the comments dated January 3, 2010 and April 28, 2011 at the end of the How To article for more information about HDMI adapters and specific products.
Have a Gateway PC that seems to meet minumum Instant Watch specs. HDMI output to HDMI input on a Samsung TV. Video is choppy on both PC and TV, otherwise fine.
What’s your guess on the choppy picture? PC settings? Something else?
Does one need a ‘Netflix’ ready device and activation?
Thanks
> Video is choppy on both PC and TV, otherwise fine.
If the video is choppy on your PC, it won’t be any better on the TV. Let’s try to fix your PC problem first.
Try the following fixes:
1) Log in to your Netflix account.
2) Click Your Account & Help at the top right corner of the screen.
3) Scroll down to WATCHING INSTANTLY ON YOUR TV OR COMPUTER.
4) Click Manage Video Quality.
5) Click Good quality (up to 0.3 GB per hour).
6) Try Watch Instantly and check the video quality.
If the video isn’t choppy, go back and to Step #5 and select Better quality (up to 0.7 GB per hour). Watch an instant movie. No choppy? Good, keep the video quality setting. If not, drop back down to Good quality.
What is your Internet connection bandwidth? If the Internet bandwidth is too small, say less than 1.0 megabits per second (Mbps) down, you’ll have trouble at anything than the “Good quality” setting.
Also check that you have the latest version of Microsoft Silverlight, no other background application are running (e.g. virus scan utilities) and no one else is using your Internet connection (e.g. someone watching YouTube videos on an iPhone, playing Internet games, etc.).
Let me know if this fixes the choppy Netflix streaming problem.
Thanks Bob I really appreciate the clear help.
I am able to operate at ‘better’ or best quality and get a good picture now. Only very slightly fuzzy.
I think I do have the latest version of Silverlight installed. (4.something.something). Unless 5 is out …
I have a good FIOS bandwidth. It normally howls. But it turns out that my kids were all playing around on the net from different parts of the house while I was setting it up. Good calls all around.
Many thanks,
BG
> But it turns out that my kids were all playing around on the net from different parts of the house while I was setting it up.
Ah, so your household maxed out on the FiOS 15/5Mbps Internet service. With so many connected devices in the house anymore (e.g. smartphones, game consoles, computers, IP media boxes, VoIP phones, IP cameras, etc.) it’s easy to max out your Internet bandwidth. I have four iPhones, three computers, Xbox 360, Roku Player, NetGear Skype phone, Insteon home automation and IP cameras. That’s about 15 Internet connected devices all competing for Internet bandwidth. This is why many ISP’s are worried and rolling out bandwidth consumption caps.
A partial solution for really important devices or services is to configure Quality of Service (QoS) policies on your Verizon FiOS router. See the FiOS user manuals for QoS instructions for your router.
For example, I configured my Linksys WRT54G WiFi router to give the Skype phone bandwidth priority so my wife’s calls to her relatives in Europe aren’t stomped on by my teenagers watching Internet videos.
What an e-world ! I thought we had a lot of devices, but it sounds like you have your own little analysis lab right in the house.
I will configure the router also. Again, really appreciate your advice. Netflix should be paying you !!
> you have your own little analysis lab right in the house.
Yes – my home LAN is becoming more like a small business network. I recently upgraded a NetGear GS110TP managed GigE LAN switch because the in-house traffic is becoming greater than the Internet link.
Take care,
Bob
Why must I have a router to watch netflix on hdtv? Is that always the case. Bob, you are a saint.
You can connect your computer directly into the broadband modem – no WiFi router required. Most people have more than one device that needs Internet access (iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle, laptops, etc.) and therefore have a WiFi router to provide wired or wireless Internet access to all the devices.
Do I need a standard, highspeed or cable with ethernet? These are the ones I see for sale. Thanks. I have HP pavilion with Vista.
Any HDMI cable will be fine – they’re all high speed digital. Try the “Amazon Basics” HDMI cable because it’s a quality reasonably priced cable. The $6 cable works just as well as a the name-brand $40 cable.
Hi bob,
I have a samsung tablet i should b able to connect the usb port into the tv from the tablet and netflix should come up right? I have a philips plasma tv i cant get it to come up
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn,
Are you using a MHL Micro USB to HDMI HDTV Adapter Cable? Plug the Micro USB into your tablet and the HDMI into the TV.
Or you could use the HDTV Adapter: How do I connect my Samsung Galaxy Tab® 2 (10.1) to my TV?
Thanks,
Bob
Hi Bob, I have a Sony blu-ray player. Hooked up to a Sanyo TV. We also have a DirectTV box. HDMI cable in port 1 from TV to DVR worked, however when trying to input back to TV mode we couldn’t do I need another HDMI cable for port 2? Thank you in advance and God Bless
Check the TV user manual about changing the input signal source. HDMI cables are inexpensive from Amazon and a 2nd cable may be the simplest solution.
I have an IP box that streams various channels. Unfortunately my TV does not have an HDMI connection. If I use an AV connection from the box to the TV I get a buzzing noise. Is such a connection possible? By the way, if such a connection is possible and also need a separate connection for sound, how would that be possible? The IP box only has USB ports available !!
> If I use an AV connection from the box to the TV I get a buzzing noise. Is such a connection possible?
The buzzing noise may be caused by a bad ground connection. Try plugging the IP box and TV into a quality power strip with power conditioning and filtering features, something like the Panamax PM8-EX.
You might try an USB to RCA cable adapter for connecting the IP box USB port to a TV that doesn’t have HDMI connectors. Whether this will work or not depends on the type of signal the IP box sends over the USB port. Check the technical specs on your IP box for more info.
Thanks,
Bob
Thank you very much Bob. Will give it a go and see how it goes. Regards, George.
I’m trying to help my daughter who has an OLD TV which still has great a picture & sound. ( Paying off college loans is a bigger priority than an HDTV. )
Her older PC has DVI- and USBs, but no HDMI. Her TV has RCAs, Cable-In, and that’s it.
We bought a Digital Converter Box (which has a USB for photos/movies, I guess).
I connected the Converter Box & an external antenna and after the Box ‘searched’, she gets about 25 local channels, and I’m thrilled for her.
BUT, the ultimate goal was to connect the ‘old’ PC to the ‘old’ TV so she could see Netflix on a bigger screen. I found a DVI-to-HDMI adapter/cable that I connected to an HDMI-to-RCA adapter/cable. I ran that to the RCAs on the TV BUT GOT NOTHING.
THERE’S ONLY a USB input on the Concerter Box (by Ematic).
Am I spinning my wheels trying to connect this PC to that TV?
Was the problem caused because I didn’t go to the PCs Control Panel and give it ‘direction’? (What directions should I give the PC, please?)
I’d hate to ditch a perfectly good TV! (I’d recycle it, of course!)
Would a ‘streaming stick’ into the Converter Box work?
Thanks SO VERY MUCH!!!
BonnieLee
> I found a DVI-to-HDMI adapter/cable that I connected to an
> HDMI-to-RCA adapter/cable.
The problem is the DVI-to-HDMI-to-RCA signal output is digital which your older TV doesn’t support. You’re thinking the DVI digital signal from the computer would be converted to analog NTSC on the RCA connectors, but it’s not. There are digital to analog TV converter boxes, but why bother?
The simplest and best solution is to buy an inexpensive Roku 1 box with RCA outputs for the older TV. It also has an HDMI port if you get a HDTV later. Plus you’ll get all the Roku channels. Streaming sticks require an HDMI port so those won’t work with your old TV.
Thanks,
Bob
Hi Bob, I have a Vizio (not sure of the model number) but it is internet ready but we don’t know how to hook up to the internet. We have WiFi established in the home for 2 laptops and 2 tablets but not sure how to hook up the tv. Would like to stream Netflix, please help.
Hi Suzanee,
See the Wirelessly Connecting VIZIO Smart HDTVs video on YouTube.
If you need further assistance, visit the Vizio Customer Support site and lookup your Smart TV model # for Internet setup and Apps instructions.
Thanks,
Bob
Can u sync Netflix from a galaxy 5 to your tv without internet. I have both old box type tv’s and new Emerson led hdmi tv’s?
Hi,
An adapter cable should work. See this question about the Samsung tablet. I don’t have a Galaxy 5 so please check the cable specifications for your smartphone.
Thanks,
Bob
Hi Bob, I have Netflix hooked up to our flat screen with a HDMI cable. We can see the movie just fine but the sound only comes from the laptop. How can we fix this?
Please see the comments for troubleshooting sound problems in Part 2 of the article.
Hello, i bought a flat screen tv, i do not want direct tv or dish or calbe, i have a dvd player hooked up to it, which works, picture and sound.
my problem my son gave me a streamer, i set it up so i have Netflix bu i have no sound? the streamer works with my wireless internet, he did no give me a hdmi cord as when he used the streamer he did not need one, it appears i need one but before i buy one i want to be sure that is my issue,Thanks so much for answering my question. Yolie
The streaming device should have detailed hookup instructions to the TV. An HDMI cable is best for the highest quality sound and picture.
my son no longer has the instructions for the streamer but i will get an hdmi cord and try it, i hope it will solve my problem, i will let you know, thank you for getting back to me Yolie
Check the streaming video box manufacturer’s website for the User Guide if you’ve lost the printed instructions. Look under Customer Support section or similar heading.
i have no idea but i got it to work i had plugged in the hdmi cord and still no sound then i unplugged cord and tried it and it worked i have sound now when i use netflix
I have a windows computer, that i play Netflix on through an HDMI on our TV. We recently got a new TV, the brand is “Emerson”. When I hook my computer up to the HDMI, my screen saver will pull up on the TV, but nothing else. I will click on netflix on my computer, but my TV will just stay as my screen saver.
Your computer is defaulting to Multiple Displays: Extend these displays.
I updated the computer external display configuration steps that should fix the problem. See Windows Control Panel TV Display Selection update in Part 2.
We have a Samsung Nexflix, Blockbuster, Pandora ready TV along with a Samsung blue ray player We also have wireless internet an a nexflix account. I cannot figure out how to get nexflix to play on the TV. Help!!!
Try the Samsung Smart TV support site for configuration instructions and live chat.
Thanks,
Bob
We have Netflix and can watch it on our PC and we got an HDMI cord for our tv. HDMI 2 is where the cable is
Hooked up, but we cannot get the HDMI 1 to work. Is it the tv or are we doing something wrong?
Is there an HDMI port on your PC? What type of HDMI cable are you using? e.g. A standard HDMI male to HDMI male cable?
Can I use my tablet to hook my nexflix to my Magnavox TV if so what I need
Yes you can with an HDMI audio/video adapter cable. Connect the cable to your tablet or smartphone and the other end to the TV HDMI port.
For Apple iPhone and iPad devices with a Lightning port:
Samsung Galaxy devices:
is there a way of connecting up netflix to my telly without using my computer, i thought i could use wifi if i have like a usb thing connected to the back of the telly
The Amazon Fire TV or Roku Streaming Stick will do the job nicely. Both use WiFi and plug directly into your TV’s HDMI port.
Hi Bob,
I was going to get a Smart TV, did, samsung and had so many problems I returned it. That was 10 days ago. Now thinking to get a regular TV. I’d already started my free first Netflix month, upped my cable with TWC to be wifi, changed Ubees for that, now having trouble even finding a good REGULAR TV. If I do find one, then what more would I need? Will I have what I need to get Netflix on a TV that is not Smart? Oh, and also someone said I need an adaptor now that there’s wifi, because I’m having trouble with Internet connectivity on my desktop. Hope you have the time to answer all of this?
Thanks in advance,
Nancy
I personally would not buy a “smart” TV with integrated WiFi and on-board apps. Reminds me of the old days when certain TV’s had a built-in VCR player. Why would I not buy a smart TV? Because technology ages quickly, TV manufacturers quickly lose interest in providing software upgrades and most TV’s aren’t worth fixing after the warranty expires.
Better IMHO to buy a high quality “dumb” TV with plenty of HDMI ports and use a Roku, Apple TV or other player to watch streaming video including NetFlix, Hulu, Amazon, YouTube, etc. The streaming players do the job so much better, connect to the Internet via WiFi or Ethernet cable, provide long term product support/software upgrades and it’s simple to replace the player or upgrade to the latest model.
Not sure what screen size or price range you have in mind but Consumer Reports rates the LG 55LF6000 TV as a “Best Buy” and it’s rated 4.3 out of 5 Stars on Amazon.com:
Thanks, Bob, you’re the best!
I have been trying to find the answer to this question: Do I have to have cable service to get Netflix on my HDTV? (Cable service is not in my budget, but I would like to watch movies on my television through my laptop connection).
A broadband Internet connection is all you need to stream Netflix. For example, I disconnected DirecTV years ago and only have cable Internet service.
i have a sanyo flat screen how do i get netflix to my tv through wifi
i have a wireless router
I recommend getting a Roku streaming player.
I am holidaying in the usa how do I get my canadian netflex to work here on my smart tv?
You’ll need to subscribe to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service to make it appear you’re watching from an IP address in Canada. Unblockus is an example service.
I’ve not had the occasion to test the various VPN services so this isn’t an endorsement, rather a suggestion.
Do be aware if Googling for “free” VPN services because if you’re not being charged for the service, then you’re the product! BTW – Unblockus is a fee-based service.
Hello I have an apple I pad how do I play Netflix on my tv from the I pad kind sir
You can with a Lightning Digital AV Adapter cable. See this other comment for details.
Hi Bob,
After I hook up the hdmi cable from the pc to the tv and turn on a movie. will it automatically display on any channel that the tv is on? Or do I need to find a particular channel?
You only need to choose the HDMI input source (e.g. HDMI 1, HDMI 2) on the TV to view the movie on the PC. In this mode the TV isn’t tuning to a “channel” but selecting a “source” and the source is displayed immediately.
The Vizio TV Help explains the differences between coax cable input using a cable box/antenna versus an HDMI input source.
Hello Bob,
We are trying to stream from a Samsung tablet to a Emerson tv. Purchased the cables but it is not working with the HDM1
DeAna Long
I’m an Apple iPad user and lack experience with the Android tablets. Try another selecting a different HDMI input source on the TV. This Samsung Support article may help: http://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00045357/997426138/SM-T810NZKEXAR
I have a problem neither my internet provider or Vizio techs cannot figure out. We have great download speed of around 14Mbps we can receive live streaming on our Dell computer or my Apple iPad just fine.
We bought a new Vizio 55″E model smart LED TV and signed up with Dish and they installed a new system with Hopper DVR. The first couple of days we streamed Netflix on our TV just fine. The next time we tried the TV shows download up to 25% and just spins until it flashes not connected to the Internet.
When I check the Internet connection it shows connected but only a download speed of less than one half of one Mbps. Needless to say not enough to stream anything. The same happens when I try and use the Dish Hoppe. Our computer or my Apple iPad shows a download of over 13.5 Mbps in speed. Our router is only about 20′ from our TV and the Hopper. Any suggestions on why the TV will not talk to the router? The download speed anywhere in the house is over 13 Mbps.
Our internet provider installed the router and we are about 1/2 mile from a clear view of the tower.
Thank you
Hi Joe,
I’m not the best person to ask because I canceled my satellite TV subscription years ago (saved nearly $1500/year for something the family rarely watched) and never subscribed to Dish. You may find help in this Hopper discussion “Internet And Server Connection Failed” on DBSTalk.com. Also try running a ~20 foot Ethernet cable between the router and TV/Hopper in case it’s a WiFi issue.