Netflix is among the most used platforms to watch streaming movies and TV series. You just need a subscription to enjoy a large catalog of content on different types of devices: smartphones, tablets, fixed and mobile computers, and of course the TV.
In many homes Netflix has replaced the classic TV channels: the enjoyment of the film and TV series is at any time of day, without having to wait for the evening appointment. The best way to watch Netflix, however, remains the television, comfortably relaxed on the sofa or in bed. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to set up Netflix on their TV, especially if it's not smart and doesn't support apps. Fortunately, there are plenty of solutions to connect Netflix to your TV set. Surely you've heard of the Chromecast or other dongles, but there are also solutions for devices that don't have an HDMI port. Here's how to do to watch Netflix on your TV.
How to watch Netflix on smart TV
The easiest and most direct way to watch content is to have a smart TV, which is a latest generation TV in which you can install all kinds of applications, including Netflix. To do this, simply connect your TV to your home Wi-Fi connection and search for the app in the search bar. Once you've found it, download it and start it up. In the initial screen you'll have to enter your credentials and that's it. The Netflix home screen will display all the available content.
Many smart TVs released in the last few years already have the Netflix app installed by default, and there is an ad hoc button on the remote control that allows direct access to movies and TV series.
Watching Netflix with your DVD/Blu-Ray player
Not everyone has the possibility to buy a smart TV, but don't worry: you can watch Netflix on your home TV in other ways too, perhaps using a dvd/blu ray player. Of course, you need to choose a player that supports Netflix. The market offers many such devices, which also allow you to watch other video streaming applications such as YouTube or Amazon Prime Video. Such devices often have a special remote control in which there is also a button to directly access Netflix.
After buying and assembling the player, you need to connect it to the TV and connect it to the home Wi-Fi network. Just like what happened before, just install the app and you'll be ready for a few hours of streaming entertainment.
How to watch Netflix with Amazon Fire TV Stick
Let's now talk about the stick normally used to watch Amazon Prime Video, namely Amazon Fire TV Stick. This is a system that also consists of a Bluetooth remote control, which improves the user experience. Not to mention that there is also a 4K version of this product. In addition to the two services mentioned, you can also watch other video streaming services such as DAZN or Disney + or even listen to music on Spotify or Amazon Music and so on.
It is based on the Fire OS system, which is Amazon's customized version of Android. Installing it is really simple: just connect the device to the HDMI port of the TV and power it with the included USB cable. Using the remote control, you can follow the installation procedure that also asks for a password to access Wi-Fi.
To complete, you need to enter your Amazon credentials and that's it: you have access to the various apps. Some are pre-installed on the device, just like it happens with smartphones, but you can add others up to 8 GB available. To watch Neflix, all you have to do is launch the app, enter your credentials and that's it: you'll be able to watch movies, series and other content.
Set Top Box to watch Netflix on TV
The market offers many types of set-top boxes (also known as STBs). They are small devices that can be connected to the TV and, through the home connection, turn it into a smart TV, when possible, even with 4K resolution. They are very easy to use: just connect them to the TV through the HDMI port and then to the home Wi-Fi network. The operation is practically identical to that of the Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Many set-top- boxes use the Android operating system: just enter the online store, search for Netflix and install the app. That's it: you can start watching Netflix on your TV.
Watching Netflix on TV with Google Chromecast
Now we come to one of the most used solutions among those who don't have a smart TV. Google Chromecast is an HDMI stick that can be purchased in electronics stores for less than 40€.
After mounting the device and connecting it to Wi-fFi, you need to install the Google Cast app on your smartphone or tablet and then configure the Chromecast on your TV. This way, the mobile device will act as a remote control and stream content towards the TV. As for Netflix, you need to install the app on your mobile device and launch the desired content from there.
Watching Netflix on TV with a console
If you're a gamer and you have a console at home like PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and different models of Xbox One then you can take advantage of them to watch Netflix on TV.
Turn on the console and view the Home with all the apps installed. If you haven't done so yet, download Netflix and launch it on your TV. Enter your credentials and save them. From now on, you'll always have the platform's icon to select with your controller. You'll access the entire Netflix catalog in just a few steps.
Connect your computer to the TV
Do you have a computer at your disposal? If so, you can connect your PC to the TV via an HDMI socket. When you do this, the content on your desktop will be automatically transferred to the TV screen.
Access the Netflix platform from your browser, log in and you'll have the platform's Home on your TV screen with all the content ready for you. You'll have to move with the mouse, just like you do when using your computer, and select a movie or TV series you want to watch. This will be projected on the TV.
Watching Netflix on TV without HDMI
The solutions reported so far required the existence of an HDMI port in the TV. Not all devices have it, so here it is necessary to get around the obstacle by buying an HDMI to SCART adapter. On e-commerce sites you can also find inexpensive ones, spending little more than 10 euros.
Using it is very simple: you insert it into the SCART socket, so as to transform it into an HDMI output.
This solution can then be used together with the other products we have listed, such as Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV Stick and others. It is a double purchase but will avoid making a major investment for a new smart TV.