The days of only watching video on the television and listening to music only on the radio are over. Even devices as small as mobile phones can play live television. But living room entertainment is far from dead, and with the increase in the amount of Internet content (both free and premium), the need for methods of streaming that content to the television has increased.
Fortunately, there are a variety ways to get Internet content, from movies to the latest songs, playing on your home theater. Some methods are easy as purchasing a box, while others are more complex but offer a wider range of customizable options. This list should help you decide which is best for you.
The Set-top Box
This is the easy, pre-packaged method of getting Internet content on your television. The name comes from cable boxes that used to sit on top of CRT televisions. Despite the name, most of these small devices are now found under or next to flat-screen TVs rather than on top of them.
They usually come with a variety of connection options: coax, component video, hdmi, etc. The features, such as HD playback and the amount of customization allowed, depend on the software. Some allow you to stream content from your desktop computer to the TV. They may also support direct streaming from content providers like Netflix or Amazon.
Photo by james.thompson
The advantages of the set-top box are that they are usually easy to setup and start using, and they do not require much configuration or maintenance. The disadvantage is that you are usually stuck with whatever content the manufacturer decides to offer. You may not be able to add your favorite podcast or content service provider.
Popular set-top boxes are Roku Player ($69.99) and Apple TV ($229). Many other hardware manufacturers also sell set-top boxes, including Asus and Western Digital.
Gaming Console
The days of Nintendos and Playstations just playing games are long gone. Every gaming console aims to provide varying degrees of multimedia entertainment.
Nintendo Wii users can stream Netflix Watch Now content. Sony Playstation 3 users can watch Netflix, MLB.TV, YouTube, and more. Xbox360 users can watch Netflix, Zune content, Last.fm music, and others. Both Playtation 3 and Xbox 360 users will also soon be able to watch Hulu Plus shows.
All three consoles can control their multimedia content with their standard wireless controllers. They all also offer web browsers where users can access additional content. Nintendo Wii’s video is standard definition (480p) only, whereas Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 offer HD (1080p) video.
Blu-ray Players
When is a Blu-ray player not just a Blu-ray player? When it provides a complete Internet media experience. Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, and other Blu-ray Disc players offer a wide range of Internet streaming media options.
The services and content offered depend largely on the manufacturer. As such, you will likely be at the mercy of the manufacturer when it comes to updated content and streaming options. Because of the current competitive nature of the industry, however, you can expect to receive good service.
Popular services offered on Blu-ray players include Netflix, Amazon On Demand, Blockbuster On Demand, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Pandora, and much more.
For the price, Blu-ray Players may be a good option if you already watch DVDs, want to be able to watch Blu-ray discs, and want Internet streaming video and music. One purchase will get you all of that in one box.
Internet-Connected TV
Many televisions are hitting the market with Internet capabilities built right into them. Like Blu-ray players, they have much of the same content, such as Netflix, Amazon, Blockbuster, Hulu, YouTube, Pandora, etc.
Many also offer widgets, such as Yahoo! Weather and others, like TV Guide, that integrate with your television experience.
The big advantage to an Internet-connected TV is that there is no additional box required. Like the boxes, however, you are still restricted to only the content the manufacturer chooses to offer. But for many this will be perfectly acceptable.
Mobile Device
Mobile phones have truly come a long way, and we now have phones with the processing and memory power similar to desktop computers of less than a decade ago. Many of these phones that have 1Ghz+ processors with 512MB of RAM or more, also have hdmi output and can play 720p video.
With great power comes great possibilities. If you can get streaming music and video on your phone, you can now play that phone content directly on your television.
The advantage is serious portability. If you have a YouTube video you want everyone at a party to see, you can just plug your phone into the TV, even if the TV is not yours. The disadvantage is that it may not be practical for standard living-room setups. There is no remote control for your phone, and if you get a call in the middle of a movie, your viewing will be interrupted.
Notebook/Netbook
Many laptops and even netbooks can play 1080p video and have hdmi output ports. With the installation of media center or home theater software, you can play Internet content, downloaded videos, and even play DVD or Blu-ray discs. Furthermore, you have the possibility of connecting a remote control for easy playback.
The advantage to the laptop-streaming setup is that you have a wide range of customization options, depending on the software you use for content. You can also open a web browser and play anything directly from it. The big disadvantage is that it ties up your laptop, and if you are on the move and someone at home wants to watch content with it, they are out of luck.
HTPC
HTPC stands for Home Theater Personal Computer. It is a computer specifically designed to sit in your living room. It usually does not require a keyboard, mouse, or other peripherals to stay connected to it, and normally uses a remote control for navigation.
Because the software varies widely, the possible options for configuration are vast. Some software may only play one type of content from one provider (like Hulu Desktop), while other software may play anything you configure it to play (like XBMC). Some will record television and act as a DVR, like MythTV or Freevo, while others are primarily designed specifically to play online streaming content, like Boxee.
There are two ways to get an HTPC. The first is to purchase a computer designed to be one. Often times it will come with Windows Media Center or other software installed. The other option is to build your own custom box or purchase a box with no software on it.
At one time, an HTPC had to be at least as big as a VCR. Now, you can purchase a low-powered one that is as small as a hardcover book.
Hulu still looks awful, I see. Wake me up when it's not choppy, more like… Netflix.