Watching Netflix from PC to TV

[paJAMbla]

Sorry if this has been addressed but couldn't find it.

I'm considering a subscription with Netflix. I see they offer delivering movies to your PC as part of the package. I want to hook up my pc to my tv to watch them:

Here is my situation:

TV: 60" Pioneer plasma w/ D-Sub pc hookup; 1365 x 768 resolution
PC: 2.8ghz cpu
Nvidia 6800gs agp v.c.
Lite-on DVD rom

Here are my questions:

First I obviously want to know what kind of picture I will get from these downloaded movies...I read somewhere here that they are streaming files...you don't actually download them to your HD. ( I also found a post that said they only have B movies for pc viewing...don't know if that's still true.)

Secondly, if I'm using the TV as a monitor, do I need any type of software to pull this off?

And it appears there is only one hook-up option...is that right?

thank you

[flanzig1]

Well, hopefully you have an extra HD15(d-sub) connector from your video card. And that the video card drivers are updated to provide the wide screen resolution of the TV. Other than that, there is not much else needed unless you want to movies on DVDs. Then you would need a DVD player software.

[paJAMbla]

I did find another option. Don't know if it would be of any value but I can get a DVI-HDMI doggle for the video card and then plug an HDMI cable to both devices. If you're not watching HDMI material will that be any help or would it actually be a detriment?

[flanzig1]

You will need a HDMI connection on the TV, you said that it had a D-sub connection for a PC. With HDMI, you would still need a way to get audio to the tv.

[paJAMbla]

This tv has all kinds of connections...including HDMI and separate "PC" (d-sub).

[paJAMbla]

I pulled up the stuff on my video card, X1950pro, and it says it supports HDTV including HD and BluRay formats. What does this mean? Will the video card alone make a PC capable of playing these formats or do I need an actual drive that is bluRay or HD?

Also, would this be the right cable from video card to TV?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189056

(I realize this topic is changing a bit from original thread).

[flanzig1]

Those type of cables are for DVD players, A/V systems that output audio and video to the DVI connector. For audio, you still would need a seperate audio connection. The tv may not allow to have a HDMI A/V input and have a seperate audio input through RCA plugs.
For Blue-Ray and HD video formats, probably need a DVD that can play those formats.

[SonicVanguard]

To clarify Netflix's internet movie option - you can watch any movie they currently offer - something like 2000+ at the moment. Based on yoru rate plan is how many hours you can watch movies - for example, if you have their $16.99 rate plan you can watch 17 hours worth of movies on-line. (17 hours means you can watch as many movies as will fit within that time frame except the last movie - if you have even 5 minutes left of your 17 hours you can watch an entire new movie regardless of it's length.)

The movies are not downloaded - you use their player and their player only - they utilize encrypted MP4 streams that cannot be downloaded/copied. Their player will download 33% of the movie before the stream will start to play - you can pause the movie but cannot restart it without taking away from your monthly allotment.

Quality of the movies isn't bad but not near DVD quality. If you're watching them on a 60" plasma you will be disappointed. On my 22" LCD in my office the quality is acceptable - for fun I hooked my system up to my 60" Pioneer Elite plasma - quality was nothing close to acceptable IMO.