Any budget way to stream Netflix through XBox 360?

[maggiew]

We tried last night to set up Netflix streaming through our XBox 360 that we have in the family room. But apparently you need XBox Live Gold ($59.95 per year) to stream Netflix. Is this the only way to do this?

I have a Wii hooked up to the TV in my bedroom and I am able to stream Netflix on that with no problem. I signed up on Netflix.com and they sent me a CD for the Wii and Voila, I was streaming. No yearly Wii type membership required??

Why the difference?

Maggie

 

[SandrA9810]

Microsoft has always charged for online connection. There's no way around it.

You're easiest solution, buy a second set of hook-ups for your Wii so you can move it between the rooms easier.

The other option, is if you have a laptop, to see if there's a video output (s-video for older ones, HDMI on new ones) and connect your laptop to the TV directly. There's a program you'll need to download from Microsoft called Silverlight or something like that to play the video output.

 

[kelly1218]

If you check your dashboard...they were offering a deal for Live Gold.

I've gotten good deals on Amazon.com for the yearly fee too. Once as low as $33!!!

 

[Juliet25]

My DH got the gold membership on a Black Friday special for around $30. Obviously that doesn't help you now, so just for future reference...

 

[maggiew]

Microsoft has always charged for online connection. There's no way around it.

You're easiest solution, buy a second set of hook-ups for your Wii so you can move it between the rooms easier.

The other option, is if you have a laptop, to see if there's a video output (s-video for older ones, HDMI on new ones) and connect your laptop to the TV directly. There's a program you'll need to download from Microsoft called Silverlight or something like that to play the video output.

I think we will just go the laptop way. Or move the Wii back and forth. But I like the Wii in my bedroom so that I can do the WiiFit.

Thanks,
Maggie

 

[tinker&belle]

If it is a long term solution, you could get a Roku box for about the same price.

 

[mill4023]

Not sure if you're in the market for one, but a lot of Blu-Ray players are able to stream Netflix.

 

[SandrA9810]

If it is a long term solution, you could get a Roku box for about the same price.

I've also seen a Sony box similar to a Roku box. Although I don't know the cost of it. Give or take another year, these types of devices and blu ray players should come down in cost to make it more affordable for more households.

 

[SalandJeff]

We stream Netflix through our Sony Blu Ray player that has built in wifi (under $140 when we got it at Costco). My sister streams hers through an Apple TV box ($99 for the box). I think it makes more sense to buy a Blu Ray player or Apple TV and pay only once, rather than paying Microsoft every year.

 

[heatherbynum]

On my dashboard, they were showing a great deal of paying 2.00 for two months

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

They sell XBox Gold memberships at Costco. I seem to recall it was $48 a year.

I signed up on Netflix.com and they sent me a CD for the Wii and Voila, I was streaming. No yearly Wii type membership required??

Keep in mind that the Wii doesn't stream in high def. Personally, I'd buy a ROKU (which I have and use all the time).

 

[maggiew]

OK. I guess I don't really understand the benefits of the Roku? Isn't it something that I have to spend money on to buy a box plus then I have to pay a monthly subscription?

I already pay for my cable tv plus netflix. I don't really want to add more? But maybe there are other benefits I don't know about???

Maggie

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Go to roku.com for an explanation of how Roku works. You just buy the box, which can stream from Netflix, Hulu+, Amazon, etc. You only pay for the streaming services (ie Netflix).

 

[HM]

If you don't have a bluray player at this point, I'd be thinking about that as an option over the Roku. You can play regular DVDs on it as well as bluray DVD, and you can stream Netflix, Blockbuster, Pandora, and Youtube on it. That's what we use in our family room.

We do use the XBox for streaming Netflix in the bonus room, but my son needs the XBoxLive to play a lot of his games, so we already have that.

 

[maggiew]

Go to roku.com for an explanation of how Roku works. You just buy the box, which can stream from Netflix, Hulu+, Amazon, etc. You only pay for the streaming services (ie Netflix).

So if you are already paying for Netflix, there isn't another fee to stream Netflix movies on the Roku box?

Maggie

 

[cglaura]

So if you are already paying for Netflix, there isn't another fee to stream Netflix movies on the Roku box?

Maggie

Correct, you are just buying the box. Then you can stream your Netflix, HuluPlus, etc. There are a alot of free Roku channels too..Weather, Old Movies (very old b&w), Anime, etc.

I love my Roku!

I have the least expensive $59.99 model, since my tv is old and HD would be wasted on it.

If you are an eBates member you can go through that and get 3.5% back. I think Sunshine Rewards has a cashback too.