Talk to me like I am stupid

[hipchickie]

Correct. You cannot play dvd's on the Wii. You will get a special disk from Netflicks that you insert to "play" the movie.

The movie's are streamed over the internet to your Wii. You will need to hook up your Wii if you haven't already.

My internet is through Verizon and my modem functions as a wireless router. I connected my Wii up through that. Very quick and easy to do.

I will be hooking up the Wii to the internet, just haven't done it yet.
Where did you get directions on hooking up the Wii to the router? Netflix site? Wii instructions?


Thanks so much to everyone who responded - this is all so helpful...

 

[Nayan]

I run a cable from my router to my Wii. Granted it's not the prettiest thing with wires running through my living room but it works . There's a small connector you can buy that hooks to the Wii and setup is as easy as plugging it in. Unfortunately you can't watch Hulu on the Wii as it doesn't support flash or java, but you can browse a few sites, like CNN.

 

[Nicoal13]

You cannot watch hulu.com through the Wii Internet Channel. Wii by itself does not support flash video.

Go to www.playon.tv

For about $40 you can buy software to install on your computer (there is a 2 week free trial). Then you set up the internet on your Wii. Go to the Wii Internet Channel and browse to playon.tv (add it to your faves on the WII).

This software allows you to watch hulu.com and several other channels through your Wii. Since you can't hook up your laptop to the tv, this is your only option.

We use it and love it.

 

[Nicoal13]

One other thing about Playon. You have to the computer that the Playon software is installed on, turned on in order for you to watch tv with it.

 

[brergnat]

Is all this hassle really worth cancelling cable? Cable is not that expensive...just cut down to the bare basic service, so you can get network channels, and then do the Wii streaming through Netflix.

However, be warned that the Watch Instantly feature on Netflix is VERY limited.

 

[redlawyer]

This thread is exactly what I need!!! We have a laptop without an HDMI output. The tv is an older flat screen, a monitor only, no tuner. My dh has hooked up the laptop (Sony if it matters) to the TV but the TV turns itself off after telling the computer to change the output. (Ctrl-F7 or preferences) The same thing does work on a newer LCD.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[PIERCEDRN]

Is all this hassle really worth cancelling cable? Cable is not that expensive...

To Quote Phineus and Ferb... "Yes... Yes it is."
This is the Budget Board.
Even $20 a month for basic adds up quickly to more disney trips. Why would anyone want to pay for locals? They are FREE and in HD?

Good luck getting rid of cable, as it was said before a computer with an HDMI output and a HD tuner is an easy solution if you have it, it will work as a DVR too.
If you have any other hardware questions you can PM me.
Bob

 

[Ava]

Is all this hassle really worth cancelling cable? Cable is not that expensive...just cut down to the bare basic service, so you can get network channels, and then do the Wii streaming through Netflix.

Why would you pay for network channels that you can get for free? I had basic cable for a while (mostly so I could keep my DVR) but then decided it wasn't worth the $30/month because all I really watched were the networks. I do kind of miss the DVR, but it's not a big deal to watch a show online if I'm not home when it airs.

We don't have a computer hooked to the TV either - I looked into it, but we have a Mac so I'd have to buy an adapter to be able to do it. Not worth it right now, we just watch together on the laptop.

However, be warned that the Watch Instantly feature on Netflix is VERY limited.

I haven't had Netflix for about a year now, but I had it for years and I always felt like there was a ton of content available on "Watch Instantly." They don't have new release movies, but there is a lot there, especially TV shows.

 

[Alesia]

I will be hooking up the Wii to the internet, just haven't done it yet.
Where did you get directions on hooking up the Wii to the router? Netflix site? Wii instructions?


Thanks so much to everyone who responded - this is all so helpful...

I just bought a wireless router. It cost $25.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

Here's a very powerful wireless router for 9.97 with free overnight shipping, yes it works with all networks. http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&accessoryId=44031
bob

 

[MickeyDisneyFan]

You might be able to get a few basic channels for free, when the guy came to install our cable modem he put a splitter and another piece of coax cable. I attached that to the back of my hdtv and scanned for channels, I get about 40 channels for free with the cable modem.

I still barely even watch that and stream everything including football and baseball live. All for the cost of the modem which is about 30 bucks a month.