This is part of a 3 post series which I will dedicate to saving money by spending money on technology. I consider my blog a personal finance blog with a fusion of many areas of interest that promote good finances, learning, and happiness. I hope these posts are not too tech-y and help a few of you out!
Post 1: Save Money by Connecting Your Computer to Your Television
Post 2: Save Money and Make Your Xbox 360 Wireless for $20
Post 3: Save Money by Streaming Television Through Your Xbox 360 or PS3
You can read my first post where I gave an outline of how to stream television shows and movies from your computer to your TV. In this post I will go over how to stream television shows and movies onto your TV using an Xbox 360 or a Playstation 3.
Why would you want to do this instead of the former?
- You already have an existing network for your computer and console to access the internet
- Your TV is further away than would be viable for hard wiring
- You already have a TV hooked up to your computer and you want to give a separate TV the ability to stream as well
This solution can also be put in place of cable for a $720 annual savings. However, there is a $40 registration fee associated with one of the tools used.
For me, this solution is worth the $40. Not only can I stream television and movies to my TV in my bedroom (via my computer hdmi out) but I can stream it to the TV in the living area. This is obviously the preferable solution for when people are visiting. Although not as flexible as just having your TV display your computer output, this solution still allows you to watch Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, CBS, CNN, and ESPN. They are working on adding more options.
Tools needed:
- Internet connection (cable, dsl, or FIOS preferred as streaming video can be bandwidth intensive)
- An Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 (wii coming soon!)
- A network (your internet connection goes into a router which is split between your computer, console, and other devices)
- PlayOn software
- A slight technology know-how
Procedure:
1. First, download PlayOn… the software which will stream the video through your console.
2. After installing it, go to Dashboard > My Xbox > Video Library for Xbox 360 and XrossMediaBar > “Video” for Playstation 3 (make sure “Media Server Connection” is enabled under Settings > Network Settings.
3. Voila! You should now be able to stream these services straight through your Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.*
*This is assuming that your network is configured properly and that your console can see your computer on the network. If you need help if this is not the case, make a comment and I will point you in the right direction.
Another Benefit
The program comes with a 14 day trial so give it a whirl and see if you like it! While I was installing the program I also went ahead and set up media sharing between my computer (You need Windows Media Player 11 and you need to enable media sharing) and the Xbox 360 so that I can play any of my music through my Xbox 360 in the living room.
When having guests over, if you have a decent entertainment setup this could be an optimal approach to utilizing your music library! If you are hosting a party, you can set up playlists on your computer without concern of an iPod getting stolen.
Feel free to leave comments with extra suggestions or problems.
I'm MLR. After graduating from college debt free, I decided to write a blog encouraging people to adapt responsible and sensible personal finance rules.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:39 am |
Great suggestion! I’m already using Playon to watch TV, movies, netflix, hulu, etc on my xbox 360. It works really well, and it’s almost like having a DVR without actually having a DVR. We just wait a day after a show airs, and then go onto hulu to watch it. Seamless, and free!
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March 24th, 2009 at 10:57 pm |
@BMM –
Yup!
And if the show isn’t on Hulu but is on another site, I just use the TV that is hooked up to my computer and use my TV as a monitor.
I see no need for TV anymore, pretty much!
Have you looked at Hulu’s selection of movies? I was actually quite surprised. Excited about a few of them :)
MLR
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April 8th, 2009 at 2:01 am |
haha
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April 8th, 2009 at 11:50 am |
Wow! what an idea ! What a concept ! Beautiful .. Amazing ?
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July 13th, 2009 at 6:10 am |
Cool article, im going to have to give this a go with my PS3!
- Gary Smith
Garry Smith´s last blog ..Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
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January 5th, 2010 at 5:37 pm |
Wow! Got to try it with my PS3 too… :)
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January 20th, 2010 at 7:49 pm |
So cool what you can do these days. I’ve got all the tools for this except the PlayOn software. Will give it a try.
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January 28th, 2010 at 4:15 pm |
Nice, i really like it thanks for the help and the tips. love it!!!
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February 6th, 2010 at 2:55 pm |
Wow I didnt know this playon stuff existed. I have netflix hooked up to my 360. This sounds awesome! If it will let me stream from my computer sites like HULU and other movies sites I am so in!
Watch Free Movies With Me´s last blog ..Watch | Halo Legends (2010)
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February 7th, 2010 at 4:07 pm |
I cannot get it on my ps3 can you give me some tips. It states media not found
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February 13th, 2010 at 2:28 am |
Awesome what can XBOX OR PR3 could bring to us these days
Men you rock, thanks you so much for this wonderful information.
I will try the steps above with my ps3. I will be back soon and made another comments about the steps that you have posted above once am done appyling it…
Cheers..
.
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April 23rd, 2010 at 1:29 am |
Thanks for all this info… Very helpful tips! 8)
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July 2nd, 2010 at 3:38 pm |
What an awesome idea! This is something I would definitely look into! Thanks for the information :)
Nichole´s last blog ..Youtube to Mp3
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July 8th, 2010 at 5:27 am |
great blog have to try this with my xbox 360. cheers.
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February 16th, 2011 at 7:31 pm |
Hi,
I am not at all a techie, but I really need to save money on my cable. Currently my tv and internet are through Comcast. I want to drop the cable tv entirely and install your #3 option. I could keep just the high speed Comcast internet subscription, but where I live I could get a fiber optics internet connection which is both faster and cheaper than Comcast. The problem is that I’m not sure there would be a router that would work with fiber optics. How would I connect the computer to the xbox?
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October 8th, 2011 at 10:25 am |
Using the Xbox is not the only way to stream to your TV. I use a PC as the streams are getting better. I posted at http://ilovelivetvonline.com about how to hook up your PC to your TV so all the family can watch anything online.
Cas x
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