Wireless TV?

[Barony]

So, I have spent too much time thinking about this. I see the future as being able to sit in my house, grab the remote and watch a movie that I could go to the theater and see in the comfort of my own house (sort of a pay per view). I'm also assuming that this could be fed through the internet. Is there a TV or product capable of receiving wireless internet that could make this dream come true?

[Shack]

Sling has gotten it down if you have sat. or cable. I think in a year or so, TV and sat. & Cable companies will have it down.

Heck the Slingbox Pro will feed HD right to your smartphone. Solves the "how do I watch" sports questions. Down side is the Slingbox is over $200 and the app is like $40. You still need to pay for a cable source also.

[BobT]

If you have internet Netflix already provides the option for instant viewing.

[Shack]

Maybe he is just looking for a Netflix or Zune and jas not found it yet? Netflix is not wireless, part of getting its signal to your tv can be though. IMO "not" wireless TV. I would call the new 4.1, 9.2, 11.1 digital channels more of a true wireless than Netflix. Wireless TV to me would be able to have the option to watch any signal you get currently to your tv via coaxial, USB, comps, HDMI or what ever, you could get with out the use of those cables in some fashion and to any tv or device in your home.

Netflix is cool and I own & watch it, but it has it's limits. Your right Bob, but the last I checked the Internet connectable TV's are not offered with internal Wi-Fi. You have a teather of sorts. Watching via Xbox, even though I am getting the Netflix signal via Wi-Fi, I only get it on that one TV unless I had Xbox's on my other TV's. It s the closest thing to Wi-Fi cable, but for just one TV.

Other down side to Netflix is, still very cool and I watch all the time via my PC & Xbox, is it does not have new releases, sports, current "any" shows (new), and no news. If they had actual Wi-Fi connectable tv's, you could stream news and some sports, but used Zune to get new releases and then use Netflix for the filler. Witch I can do right now via Wi-Fi, but if I want to switch TV's I have to pack it all up and move it. Plus you want to see a new show on HBO or other cable branded station, you outta luck.

Like I said this is coming and in an expensive form could be out their. When I asked at local big box TV stores last winter, a Wi-Fi true wireless (minus the power cord) was not offered. You wither had to plug in a card via USB, LAN it, or just run a Cat 5. Nice part is you can get on the net with out a "box" and just the tv. Very close.

[Scott K]

Wireless transfer of tv signal is a ways off, but streaming live via internet is here, but most internet companies cant handle the bandwidth right now, unless you have fiber optic in your area. Fiber optic lines are the future, of tv, and internet, it will just take a while for it to get routed to all of the areas.

[DTro]

Last I checked, satellite was wireless

[Scott K]

Last I checked, satellite was wireless

lol, ok you got me there. I was thinking without the satellite dish on your roof, just a direct link to your tv.

[Shack]

Last I checked, satellite was wireless

Last time I checked , Dishnetwork has the huge honkin wire they ram threw my wall that comes to a rather large big black or silver box (the color depends on what room ), which then I run my own purchased wire/cable to the inputs on the back out the TV. Wireless signal to your home, yes. Wirless when it comes in the house, no!

Can't watch it in my rec-room down stairs because I do not want to pay for another feed, run my own honking wire and drops the $500 for a receiver or of course sign another contract . Not to mention tethering to a honking saucer they installed on the front corner of your house, right above the main living room bay window. At least the neighbors know what kind of satellite company you are paying every month.

When the weather turns bad outside summer or winter, the satellite signal is long gone, but as long as we have not lost power, we have local digital channels and Netflix via the Xbox.

In Europe they have/had Sky Box. It was great wireless TV for a price. The downside, I thought I heard, you could hack the signal with some ducktape, a paper clip and a smile. Not good for business.

[BobT]

Maybe I misunderstood his question, which when I read it doesn't really have anything to do with the topic he chose. His topic is wireless TV but his question is about being able to watch movies in his home without the aid of a CD/VHS player. The latter is already available with pay-per-view and at much lower cost with programs such as Netflix, which I agree has its limitations. If he's thinking about being able to watch movies of his choice without some kind of subscription, I don't see that happening because the movie makers need to make money somehow and unlike television, radio, and internet advertising is not a big part of their income.

[spearchucker]

This isn't making much sense because TV has always been wireless in some form, at least receiving signals. Analog TV and now Digital TV in the UHF and VHF band as well as Satellite TV are examples.

It sounds to me like he wants wireless HDMI or component connections from devices to the TV, but I'm not sure. I'm sure it will be there, but it takes a ton of bandwidth as there is a lot of information traveling down an HDMI cable (video, multichannel audio, and ethernet (HDMI 1.4)).

As for streaming internet content or local LAN content to a TV you are better off using wired ethernet anyway as it is faster and more reliable. I have CAT6 connected to both of my TVs and can watch content from my media server. Also easy to connect a laptop to the TV via HDMI or VGA connectors.

[Barony]

Maybe I should have clarified things a bit. I just remodeled the house and now have reservations because I didn't run any ethernet cable to my cable jacks in the new family room in addition to cable. My question is can I watch Netflix w/out ethernet? Does it come through the cable (which, after reading a few posts, looks like it does)? I will be upgrading to digital cable when the Xmas present arrives in a 52" box, but as of right now, I do not have a digital signal because I have a 10 year old TV.

I just wonder where we will be at in 10 years when it comes to viewing movies that you have to go to theaters to watch. It would be great to watch a movie like "The Other Guys" opening weekend ppv at my home, via cable or the internet, and me regretting that I never ran ethernet cable so I can't. I can still get ethernet to the family room, but it involves a lot of sheet rock removal in an unfinished room in the basement.

[CJH]

Maybe I should have clarified things a bit. I just remodeled the house and now have reservations because I didn't run any ethernet cable to my cable jacks in the new family room in addition to cable. My question is can I watch Netflix w/out ethernet? Does it come through the cable (which, after reading a few posts, looks like it does)? I will be upgrading to digital cable when the Xmas present arrives in a 52" box, but as of right now, I do not have a digital signal because I have a 10 year old TV.

I just wonder where we will be at in 10 years when it comes to viewing movies that you have to go to theaters to watch. It would be great to watch a movie like "The Other Guys" opening weekend ppv at my home, via cable or the internet, and me regretting that I never ran ethernet cable so I can't. I can still get ethernet to the family room, but it involves a lot of sheet rock removal in an unfinished room in the basement.

If you have wifi, then you could hook up a wifi enabled device that is capable of streaming Netflix or one of the other services. Some new TV's have this capability, as does some Blu Ray players and the Playstation 3. Ethernet is always better and more stable, but if you have a "N" connection with fast internet service it shouldn't be that big of a problem with HD content - lower quality content even less. (the quality of your internet service will play a part in this)

As far as watching opening weekend movies, its anybody's guess. It's probably a ways off yet, however I have heard the movie companies are leaning towards allowing it a few weeks after opening. So its getting closer. They are well aware of consumer's preferences today that a majority of people would rather watch them at home. I personally haven't been to a theater in 2 years.

[DTro]

I've watched a few movies on Comcast that were "same day as theaters". Not blockbuster titles, but good movies. I think it was like $10.

A cable jack and cable box is all you need for this.

[Shack]

Maybe I should have clarified things a bit. I just remodeled the house and now have reservations because I didn't run any ethernet cable to my cable jacks in the new family room in addition to cable. My question is can I watch Netflix w/out ethernet? Does it come through the cable (which, after reading a few posts, looks like it does)? I will be upgrading to digital cable when the Xmas present arrives in a 52" box, but as of right now, I do not have a digital signal because I have a 10 year old TV.

I just wonder where we will be at in 10 years when it comes to viewing movies that you have to go to theaters to watch. It would be great to watch a movie like "The Other Guys" opening weekend ppv at my home, via cable or the internet, and me regretting that I never ran ethernet cable so I can't. I can still get ethernet to the family room, but it involves a lot of sheet rock removal in an unfinished room in the basement.

Well welcome to the future Barony. This is old hat stuff now.

Like I explained in my post, I run Netflix to my basement via Wi-Fi & seamlessly watch TV shows and Movies with via the Xbox. I would love to send Dish-Network down their via Wi-Fi but there is no option other than Sling and my laptop right now. I could run another feed and lease a receiver, just do not want to be stuck in a contract for another two years when I feel things are changing with other companies. I think if I did pursue anything, it I would Slingbox Pro and Sling Catcher option. For about $400-$500 I can watch any cable or satellite signal I subscribe to anywhere I can get a Wi-Fi signal. I am talking in the world. Smartphones also and I am sure Netflix also via the Sling Catcher.

We could go down the path Apple TV (fingers crossed) , but we will let you work with Netflix. For the Price, Netflix is well worth it for what you get. I am hoping they or someone else takes it a little further so my satellite bill of $70.00 a month can drop below $20 per month. You do need the internet though, but I do not see my family dropping high speed any time soon.

[pureinsanity]

I can get wireless movies through my ps3 ;0

[spearchucker]

It really shouldn't be that hard to run ethernet cable without tearing up sheetrock. I did it my house. It is pretty easy to fish the wire especially if you already have coax going to the outlet. I have everything hardwired from my office where the router is using CAT5E and CAT6 cable. I have 2 outlets near each TV in each living room. Took only a few hours. This is a lot more reliable than WIFI and can provide gigabit ethernet to supporting devices.