🗳️ ELECTION 2024: THE MSE LEADERS' DEBATE Got a burning question you want us to ask the party leaders ahead of the general election? Submit your suggestions via this form or post them on our dedicated Forum board where you can see and upvote other users' questions. Please note that the Forum's rules on avoiding general political discussion still apply across all boards.

How can I watch Youtube and other online content on my main TV

Options
dx052
dx052 Posts: 382 Forumite
First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Post
in TV MoneySaving
Me and my partner spend about 85% of our time watching various things from my laptop, which is a 14 or 15" screen. We watch shows on Youtube, Hulu, like American stuff and also watch various films from my HD and stuff that I have downloaded, and we seem to watch only a couple of soaps a week on our main TV which is twice the size. Is there a solution that does not require me connecting my laptop with a lead to my tv and cutting out loads of wires to view these programs on my TV alone?. I have now connected the HD to the TV which helps. Is it also possible to connect a TV to router as a solution maybe as I am scratching my head?
«13

Comments

  • HeadAboveWater
    HeadAboveWater Posts: 3,941 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker Debt-free and Proud!
    Options
    HD = Hard drive on laptop I assume?
    Wealth is what you're left with when all your money runs out
  • Inner_Zone
    Inner_Zone Posts: 2,853 Forumite
    Options
    HeadAboveWater wrote: »
    HD = Hard drive on laptop I assume?

    If it does then it's misleading, should be HDD.
  • dx052
    dx052 Posts: 382 Forumite
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Post
    Options
    Yeah sorry, meant Hard Drive.

    http://www.sharp.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/gb/hs.xsl/-/html/product-details.htm?product=LC42LE40E&cat=111
  • penrhyn
    penrhyn Posts: 15,215 Forumite
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Options
    You could buy a Google or Apple TV box, or upgrade to a Smart TV.
    That gum you like is coming back in style.
  • martinthebandit
    martinthebandit Posts: 4,422 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post
    Options
    Am I missing something here? Why not just connect your TV to your laptop, that works for me.
  • iamtrev79
    iamtrev79 Posts: 25 Forumite
    Options
    It all depends on your TV of course. If it is a more modern TV with Wi-Fi you could try connecting it to your laptop, or to your laptop via a router. You could also use the Wi-Fi to connect your TV to YouTube if it has access to the internet or a YouTube app if it is a "smart TV". I'm guessing they are fairly new TV features though which you might not have on your TV.

    Another alternative could be to buy an external hard drive and have this permanently connected via a cable to your TV, so that you don't need to keep plugging your laptop in.

    just some ideas
  • red_flump
    red_flump Posts: 89 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Options
    You will need a box to plug in the TV to stream from the computer.

    I use an Apple TV, but then you would have to use Handbrake (free) to add your content to itunes. Youtube is an app on Apple TV. Works over your network (wifi)

    This looks good:
    Gigabyte WS100 SkyVision Wireless HD Video Streamer

    Clones your PC to your TV but needs to be in range (same room) as the transmitter plugged into your PC
  • 2010
    2010 Posts: 5,376 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary Photogenic First Post
    Options
    If your tv has got a HDMI socket on it, all you need is one cable.
  • marvin
    marvin Posts: 2,185 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary I've been Money Tipped!
    Options
    I have 1 very long HDMI cable (5 m I think it is) which is permanently connected to the smart TV for things I have to run via the laptop, I just pick up the end which hides down side of sofa when I need to connect it.

    I have a HDD plugged in the back of the TV which contains my music collection and any films I have downloaded.

    I usually have a NAS drive (Network Accessible Storage, A hard drive connected to the network not to an individual computer) but this went faulty and had to be returned will be buying a new one as soon as the other's refund hits the credit card account.

    The NAS can be available on any PC mobile phone in the house + my hard cabled networked SMART Tv.

    All of these are individual options depending on the TV available connections.
    I started with nothing and I am proud to say I still have most of it left.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 26,612 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Options
    dx052 wrote: »
    Is there a solution that does not require me connecting my laptop with a lead to my tv
    martinthebandit wrote: »
    Why not just connect your TV to your laptop, that works for me.
    OP doesn't want to connect the laptop.
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 8 Election 2024: The MSE Leaders' Debate
  • 343.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 450K Spending & Discounts
  • 236K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 609.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173.4K Life & Family
  • 248.6K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards