Consumer Reports says to connect your TV to an online service, you need an Internet-ready TV or a device, such as a Blu-ray player, PlayStation 3, or X-box 360. There are other Internet-ready boxes you can buy that aren't too expensive, including ones from Roku, Apple TV, and Vudu.
Vudu offers 20,000 titles, between $3 and $6 each, depending on whether you choose to watch a movie in standard definition, high definition, or a higher-quality format it calls HDX.
Blockbuster has also gotten into the video-on-demand game. For $2 to $4, you can browse through about 10,000 titles—thousands more than what's available in a typical video store. The downside is that all are standard definition.
For the best picture quality, Consumer Reports says look to Vudu, whose HDX format comes closest to Blu-ray. And it also provides Dolby Digital audio output.
But no matter which service you choose, a few clicks can have you streaming movies in no time at all.
Getting a new Internet-ready TV? Be aware that many manufacturers have partnered with movie services, though not all services. Not ready to buy a new TV? Consider a Blu-ray player with Internet capability. Consumer Reports recommends the LG BD-370C for $150.
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