Ask Our Expert

Streaming from PC to TV

Our Broadband Expert says...

Dear Paul, if your TV has a socket for a VGA cable - which most flat screen TV’s will have - then you can simply connect your PC or laptop to your TV, select the correct input and watch streamed content on your television.

For an even better connection - with a sharper sound and a clearer image, and the ability to carry high definition content - you could also try a HDMI cable. However, while newer TVs will have a HDMI socket, only a selection of the latest computers will, so this might not necessarily be an option for you.

However, if you have an older CRT television - with a deep back - then it’s very unlikely that you’ll have a VGA or HDMI socket to connect your PC to. As an alternative you can buy a scan converter for around £65 which will allow you to connect the VGA cable from your PC to the RCA phono socket on your TV - though the quality may be quite poor.

Streaming via a games console

If you have a games console like the Nintendo Wii or Sony PlayStation 3 you will be able to use its built-in web browser to watch internet television programmes from sites like the BBC iPlayer, Channel 4’s 4oD and YouTube. This is also the case for many other websites using Adobe’s Flash Player to stream content. However, because you have to install software from the Zattoo website before being able to watch its TV content, Zattoo isn’t compatible with these consoles.

Direct to your TV with Virgin Media

If you’re a Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com) customer you can forgo your PC completely to watch BBC iPlayer and ITV Player - Virgin Media customers get direct access on their TVs.

Broadband and download allowances

To stream content at a decent quality - so the programme doesn’t keep stopping to buffer and load - you really need to have a broadband connection of at least 2Mb. According to recent research by Ofcom, the average actual download speed for customers on an up to 8Mb package is 3.6Mb - which will be more than enough for streaming video content from the net.

Read our Complete guide to speeding up your broadband.

However, you also need to bear in mind the fact that streaming might be slower at peak times when lots of other people are all downloading from the same site.

You should also keep an eye on your broadband download limit. Even though you’re streaming content rather than specifically downloading it, all the data received by your modem will still count against your monthly download limit and you could end up being charged for exceeding your allowance, or have your connection throttled if you go over your fair usage policy - even if you have an “unlimited” broadband package.

Install our free Broadband Download Monitor to keep an eye on your downloads and even set alarms so that you never exceed your limit.

Compare broadband packages

NB Best buy tables (orange background) are always current.

Examples in the text of the article (white background) are correct at time of publication.

Ask us a question

If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at OurExpert@broadbandchoices.co.uk

Compare broadband deals

Save up to £363* when you include TV and calls with your broadband

CLOSE [X]

*Enter your postcode to find the best broadband deals in your area. We value your privacy, please see our privacy policy.

Why we need your postcode