What Is Best equipment for downloading films?

[yellowwood]

I got a gift certificate to Netflix, and we have access to downloading films. I read that there are several technologies to do that? Should I buy one and, if so, which one?

[Fumesucker]

1. A family member just got a Roku box to hook to the TV, it works quite well..

You can also stream movies straight to your computer if you wish to watch them that way rather than on the TV.

A lot of more modern TV sets allow a direct connection to the computer through a VGA port or HDMI cable, adapter boxes are also available that will let you connect practically any TV to practically any computer.

What is best for you depends on what you already have and what you want to do.

[Uben]

3. I love my Roku

HAd it for a year or so, and it allows me to watch any Netflix movies on my Mitsubishi 73" HDTV. We gave 1 year subscriptions to Netflix and a Roku box to the kids for christmas and they love theirs, too. We must have over 200 movies on our instant cue!

[ejpoeta]

5. we got two rokus a couple months ago and dumped directv.

you can definitely stream netflix. and if you are streaming only you can watch on up to 6 devices at one time! there are several internet streaming devices out there like the roku. only drawback with the roku that I can see is that it only plays mp4 format videos if you stream them from your computer or get the one with the usb plug. but that is not a big deal.

[golddigger]

15. Can you get youtube?

[NuclearDem]

2. If you have an Xbox or PS3 with connection to the internet, you can use that with Netflix

There's a specific disc you'll need from Netflix to activate it, but I've been using it on my Xbox and it's worked wonderfully.

[ejpoeta]

4. wii too can stream netflix. you do not need a disc for it anymore just download a channel

from the shopping channel on your wii for free. kids use it all the time. i love that the gaming devices have this ability. my sister ended up switching to netflix because they can't get blockbuster to stream except on specific devices and netflix streams on almost anything.

[eShirl]

6. another vote for Roku for streaming Netflix instant watch movies to your TV

we already had a wireless router for our computers, so connecting it up was almost as easy as falling out of bed

(also connects with a regular cable if you like)

P.S. we also get free channels on Roku, like Youtube and Crunchy Roll (Japanese anime with English subtitles) http://www.roku-channels.com/

[elocs]

7. I use a Roku set top box. Check out our DU Netflix Streaming & DVDs Group

where you will find many people who stream Netflix and use different methods to do so: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=441

[Statistical]

8. If you already have a Wii, PS3, Xbox, or TIVO they all stream netflix movies.

Otherwise you may want to look into either:
a) "Roku" a dedicated movie streaming box.
b) Bluray player. Many bluray player also stream netflix.

[eShirl]

9. Netflix Ready Devices

http://www.netflix.com/NetflixReadyDevices

also (as someone mentioned) you can stream it to your computer without any additional devices... but it is not the same as downloading, you wouldn't be able to burn it to a DVD (well, maybe you could figure out how to do that -- but it would probably be illegal)

[OwnedByFerrets]

10. I LOVE my Roku!

[Pab Sungenis]

11. TiVo.

Or Wii. Both have good applications, and have other uses. (TiVo as a cablecard or digital OTA TV DVR, Wii as a game console.)

[Loki]

12. Roku all the way!

Quick set up and you are ready to watch movies.

[William769]

13. I have Roku.

And I love it!

[DCKit]

14. My sister bought one of the newer Samsung BD players...

and (with a fat/fast Internet connection) it was freakin' amazing.

$134 without a HDD, $270 with.

[Motown_Johnny]

16. If your video card has a TV Out you can connect your computer

directly to your TV

[MattBaggins]

17. Bittorrent works quite well.

[Cheap_Trick]

18. Most blu ray players that are BD Live capable are able to stream NetFlix

It's usually one of the apps that's installed on it. Mine also include VuDu, a NetFlix clone.