Internet video isn't limited to two-minute clips of dancing cats you watch on your PC. With an online video service, you can take in thousands of full-length flicks on your TV from the comfort of your living-room sofa.
To get started, you'll need to sign up for a service. Each lets you rent -- and all except Netflix also let you buy -- existing movies and TV shows, plus view new releases as they become available on DVD or shortly thereafter. (For example, Net-flix offers Warner Brothers' titles 28 days after they go on sale.) True, your cable provider offers video on demand, but it doesn't offer nearly as many movies as the online video services do.
You can use a video service whether you've got a small flat-screen TV ora complete home theater. To watch movies, you'll need a broadband Internet connection and a device that routes Internet video to your TV.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Fear not: Setup is simple, and the components are reasonably priced. In fact, you may already own all the hardware you need. Both the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360 are Netflix-ready devices, and the Nintendo Wii will be Netflix-ready soon. Many Blu-ray players have built-in support for Netflix and other movie services. And a Roku Digital Video Player ($80 and up) has a built-in Wi-Fi connection to receive Amazon Video On Demand and Netflix videos via your home's wireless router. Each online-video Web site lists the devices that work with its service.
Rent versus buy. Renting a video is usually cheaper than buying, but the clock is ticking. You typically have a 24-hour window to watch a film or show once you order it. For folks who like to pause a movie and return to it later -- or watch it more than once -- that could pose a problem. The alternative is to buy a copy, typically for $10 to $20.
Netflix does things differently. The rental-DVD-by-mail subscription service takes an all-you-can-eat approach to online viewing. Subscribers can watch as many online movies as they want with no time limit. Even if you're signed up for the basic, $8.99-a-month plan, which limits you to one DVD at a time, you have unlimited access to online films and TV episodes.
Faster is better. The greater the bandwidth, the better your movies will look on the big screen at home. Netflix recommends a 2- to 3-megabit broadband connection to get DVD-quality video, and even faster speeds to download HD content. And VUDU, which has the sharpest Web video we've seen, advises a 4.5-megabit or faster link for its HDX (1080p) high-def service.
Each service offers something for everyone -- from art-house films to action-adventure flicks -- with new titles constantly being added. And the best part is that in the time it takes to make microwave popcorn, your movie is ready.
-
Take Charge of Retirement Spending With This Simple StrategyTo make sure you're in control of retirement spending, rather than the other way around, allocate funds to just three purposes: income, protection and legacy.
-
Here's How To Get Organized And Work For YourselfWhether you’re looking for a side gig or planning to start your own business, it has never been easier to strike out on your own. Here is our guide to navigating working for yourself.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024 and 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How to Figure Out How Much Life Insurance You Needinsurance Instead of relying on rules of thumb, you’re better off taking a systematic approach to figuring your life insurance needs.
-
Amazon Big Deal Days Is Coming! We’ve Got All the DetailsAmazon Prime To kick off the holiday season with a bang, Amazon Big Deal Days runs Tuesday, October 8 and Wednesday, October 9.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
-
Five Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage RateBecoming a Homeowner Mortgage rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan with these tips.
-
Retirees, It's Not Too Late to Buy Life Insurancelife insurance Improvements in underwriting have made it easier to qualify for life insurance, which can be a useful estate-planning tool.
