Options for viewing computer contents and browsing on my TV

[bobland]

I will be ditching DirecTV, probably next month. I refuse to continue to pay to view commercials and pay for zillions of channels I'll never watch. I have a Roku with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Roxbox. I'll probably buy Playon and that should cover enough. But...I'd still like to have access to my computer on the TV as my wife is a ranked sprinter and likes to watch track events that are not broadcast.

Additionally, if anyone has experience with OTA antennas, feel free to chime in. Funny thing is, it's not the money as much as the feeling of getting ripped off both ways: paying for commercials and paying for stuff that I don't want.

My Roku has fits and starts. If you use an XBox or other console, let me know how that works out for you. I'm reluctant to get Hulu for this reason. Sometimes, while watching a movie on Netflix, the screen blacks out. It's probably some kind of interference either electrical or paranormal but annoying just the same.

 

[Lee]

Hi bobland,

Understand about the commercials. With the new Smart TV's there is just about no reason for DirecTV or Cable One (except cable internet). As to Netflix blacking out that is probably because your internet connection is not fast enough causing the need for Netflix to reload the buffer (this happens a good deal of the time when using WIFI instead of a direct internet connection.

Hello from Stanly . . .

 

[josearedux]

if you are anywhere close to OTA broadcasting towers HD HomeRun Dual is good "cable cutters" solution, I have an antenna on my roof which has a coax running to the area where my FIOS router and primary TV are. Once setup the dual allows me to watch OTA anywhere in the house via wireless. I can record 1 station and watch another. WMC works very well with it for recording and viewing. I get ~35 OTA stations (I am 10 miles from Philadelphia)
There are rumors that an even better version is in the pipeline. Cost is ~$70 if you wait for sales, I got mine from Amazon. When streaming only about 20 Mb/s are needed.

 

[bobland]

Well...not quite. What I'm looking for is an alternative to cutting a hole in a wall so I can use my TV as a monitor. We only have 1 TV and don't plan on getting more...maybe upgrading to a larger one somewhere in the distant future.

I want to use my computer, in its entirety, while sitting where the TV is located (more comfy then my "office like chair."). I could do that now if I cut a whole in a wall and run a cable from my PC to the TV (HDMI, Composite?). To make this hole neat I'd have to do some fancy wiring which I don't think would come out looking well, so I was hoping for a wireless solution.

I also don't want to watch local TV on my computer. Also again, I'm aware of a few local companies that do this but I'm assuming it will cost an arm and a leg so I'd like to find a solution-on-the-cheap first.