"Streaming Hulu from computer to TV...

HDMI cable transfers both video and audio
dvi/cable is for camera use not TV use

i use hdmi to watch netflix on the HDTV using the laptop


a VGA or other dvi 'break out' cable, is a multi cable system

OP did not ask about dvi

The whole streaming internet to TV field is heating up.

Smart tvs with internet apps, play stations and 360's that stream video from internet to TV, small boxes like ROKU, and the newest, but not the last "Chromecast"

Streaming Video



Some almost the same cost as a high end HDMI cable but done wirelessly.

NHIrish wrote:
If you set up a wireless network, you can use a roku or wdtv live box...but you will need loads of bandwidth if you are using a cellular connection to the internet. I read somewhere that an hour of movie download is about 2 gb on your wireless service.

You won't need to stream from the laptop...the box will connect through your wireless network.

We like to stream video and use a Roku because it avoids the necessity of running cables from the laptop to the TV and it also avoids tying up the computer when we are watching a video.

Our experience is that the data usage is significantly less than the commonly cited 2GB/hour. When we need to limit bandwidth we set our Netflix account to a lower quality video (which is still quite watchable) and we find that our usage is ~1Gb/2 hours (roughly one movie). If you use a streaming service, such as DirecTV Cinema, that insists on sending signals as 1080p your usage will be significantly higher, but it needn't be.

Streaming is easy on any 4G connection and can be acceptable on 3G if the connection speed is faster than ~1Mbps.

And still another way . . .

Buy a $99 AppleTV & connect it to your TV. You'll also need a WiFi hotspot in your RV that your AppleTV and PC can connect to. Finally, you'll need to download iTunes to your PC.

Now you can use Apple's AirPlay function to stream movies from your PC to your TV wirelessly via iTunes -- without using any Internet bandwidth.

You can preload movies (mp4 format) on iTunes so you don't have to stream them over your WiFi. Using AirPlay, iTunes streams your video (and music if you want) to the AppleTV box using your WiFi hotspot -- note that this process uses NO Internet bandwidth. In fact, it will work even if your WiFi hotspot doesn't have an Internet connection.

Finally, if you do have an Internet connection, AppleTV allows you to stream video from the iTunes store, Netflix, HuluPlus, HBO GO, You Tube, Vimeo, Flickr, etc.

If you set up a wireless network, you can use a roku or wdtv live box...but you will need loads of bandwidth if you are using a cellular connection to the internet. I read somewhere that an hour of movie download is about 2 gb on your wireless service.

You won't need to stream from the laptop...the box will connect through your wireless network.

kab449 wrote:

Before I leave I download the movies or shows I have on my Direct TV Genie onto my tablet and play them through the HDMI output to my flat screen. Don't need WiFi.

How do you download from the Genie? Sounds like a great idea.

It depends if the graphics adapter or chipset has integrated audio. Most newer graphics adapters with HDMI out do. I believe MacBooks have done so for at least 3+ years. The option should show up in Managing Sound Devices as HDMI playback, and audio needs to be set for 48khz.

1492 wrote:
... I haven't seen many PC notebooks that can route sound through HDMI? Not likely with desktop PCs outputting from a graphic cards.

I have a home-built desktop with an ATI video card, Acer netbook, Toshiba laptop and Droid Razr phone that all output audio as well as video via hdmi. I believe a device with hdmi that doesn't support both audio and video is the exception, not the norm.

Seattle Steve wrote:

This depends on the computer. My MacBook Pro outputs video and audio through HDMI.

Yes, that's one advantage of more recent MacBooks. I haven't seen many PC notebooks that can route sound through HDMI? Not likely with desktop PCs outputting from a graphic cards.

My Microsoft Surface tablet outputs audio and video through the HDMI mini connector. It does require an adapter to be compatible with the HDMI standard cable termination.
Before I leave I download the movies or shows I have on my Direct TV Genie onto my tablet and play them through the HDMI output to my flat screen. Don't need WiFi.