Some TV sets have built-in capabilities for web access, and many Blu-ray players also have Web access and apps. Or by connecting your laptop to your HDTV with an HDMI cable, you can view anything that appears on your computer screen on the TV. You can also buy an adapter at most electronics stores to use an HDMI cable to connect an iPad or iPhone to a TV.
The devices below connect to your TV to stream content, and many have a broad range of features to choose from. Roku, for example, offers more than 750 channels. With Apple TV's AirPlay, you need a wireless connection to display what appears on your Apple device on your TV.
Roku
Boxes range from $50 to $100, depending on picture quality and other features
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Top streaming options: Amazon Instant Video, Blockbuster On Demand, Crackle, Hulu Plus, MLB.TV, Netflix, NBA League Pass, NHL GameCenter Live, Redbox Instant by Verizon, Vudu
Apple TV
$99
Top streaming options: Hulu Plus, iTunes, MLB.TV, Netflix, NBA League Pass, NHL GameCenter Live
Chromecast
$35
Top streaming options: Netflix, YouTube
Google TV
Boxes that support Google TV range from about $80 to $170
Top streaming options: Amazon Instant Video, Crackle, Netflix, Redbox Instant by Verizon
WD TV
From about $60 for the basic Play box to about $250 for the Live Hub device
Top streaming options: CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, MLB.TV, Netflix, Vudu
Wii
$130
Top streaming options: Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Netflix
PlayStation 3
Starts at about $270 (PlayStation 4, debuting at the end of the year, is available for pre-order for $400)
Top streaming options: Amazon Instant Video, CinemaNow, Crackle, Hulu Plus, MLB.TV, Netflix, NHL GameCenter Live, Vudu
Xbox 360
Starts at $200 (Xbox One, set for release in November, is available for pre-order for $500); to stream video content, you need a $60 annual Xbox Live Gold membership
Top streaming options: Amazon Instant Video, CinemaNow, Crackle, Hulu Plus, MLB.TV, Netflix, NBA League Pass, NHL GameCenter Live, Redbox Instant by Verizon, Vudu
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