Before you jump right in, there are a few things to consider when you start making the switch to Online TV. The first and probably most important factor is your internet connection. If you are using a dial-up connection, your speed is slow so the video and sound quality will suffer dramatically. You should consider getting a high-speed, or broad band connection. I recommend contacting your local cable company first and seeing what option it offers. The next best option is using DSL through the phone company. This tends to not be as fast as a cable modem, but both should work just fine for streaming online TV. Not only will this allow for watching TV online, but your entire internet experience will dramatically improve.

Next, consider what and when you plan to watch. Do you plan to stream Live TV, older TV shows, movies, music, news, weather, or something else? There are great options no matter what you want to watch, but you should consider when you plan to watch also. If you plan to watch during times when you are already using your computer, you should maybe consider a multiple monitor setup or streaming PC to TV options.

If you computer is less than 10 years old, there is a good chance it can handle online TV. I have an old laptop that I got in 2001 that can watch online TV. It is recommended that you have a newer computer-within the last 4-5 years-but its not needed. If you plan to hook your computer up to a plasma or LCD TV, it is recommended that you use and HDMI cable. Check to see if your computer and TV have this type of connection:

If you have these ports, all you need is an HDMI cable. Buy the cable online! You will save ~$20 versus buying it at a electronics store. If you do not have this type of port, you can use and s-video or video out port to accomplish the same thing. HDMI will support high-definition however.

If you plan to watch movies, there are a few really good options. You may consider Hulu. This is a free service that offers a wide range of movie options to watch. You can easily stream Hulu to TV without much effort. It has advertising and the selection is not that great. I use Netflix. It has an unlimited subscription where I can choose from 17,000 titles to stream from the internet to my TV at anytime. It is a monthly subscription service, but offers a great selection and no advertisements for a very low monthly fee. Take a look at our reviews to at the top of the menu to the right to see other services that are available. Most have a one-time-fee and give unlimited access forever without anymore fees.

There are many options if you want to stream TV on the internet or watch your favorite movies online. Once you have the basic setup needed, the rest is pure enjoyment.