my new favorite thing

bh2720

Amazon Instant Video that is FREE when you have Amazon Prime. How did I not know about this until this past weekend?!

I know I sound like a commercial, but there are a ton of movies and tv shows and did I mention that they are free? Yay! Amazon will rule the world one day...

The only annoying thing is that I can't watch them on my iPad (I know, first world problem), but somehow I'll get by ;-) 

kastle

YES.  Being able to watch Foyle's War for free pushed us over the edge to get Prime!

VARedhead

Is there a way to watch them on the tv, rather than a computer? Or do you have to connect the computer to the tv? I'm not technically savvy with this stuff, but have not been taking advantage of this either.

kastle

VARedhead:

Is there a way to watch them on the tv, rather than a computer? Or do you have to connect the computer to the tv? I'm not technically savvy with this stuff, but have not been taking advantage of this either.

Yes, there are several ways to do it.

One is to hook your computer to your TV (this involves using some cables, I don't know the exact details, but if you go to an electronic store, they should help you get what you need).

Another is to use a device that connects your TV to the internet. Like AppleTV, Boxee Box or one of the many Android/Google TV devices (I think ours is logitech review or something, but it's discontinued now).  We use this device to also stream Netflix.

stargirl0508

Some of the new tvs have an amazon app built-in.  At least ours does.  It's connected via wi-fi and can stream (amazon or netflix or hulu too) right through a menu on the tv.  I think our DVD player (blu-ray, also newish) has the app/fuction as well.

ch ch ch chia

Upstairs, we have a Sony Google TV - no extra boxes required.

Downstairs, we have a Logitech Revue.  As kastle mentioned, they're discontinuing them.

Both of these devices are AWESOME.  We can also watch YouTube, I can post to the Nest, and can basically do anything on the TV that I can do on the internet.

There are other devices, as PP's mentioned... one thing I like about the Google versions is that they're open systems, so they don't have a lot of limitations on the apps and stuff that you can download. 

KelXoXo

kastle:

Another is to use a device that connects your TV to the internet. Like AppleTV, Boxee Box or one of the many Android/Google TV devices (I think ours is logitech review or something, but it's discontinued now).  

Actually, we have a Boxee, and got it mostly for the internet aspect, but also hoping to watch Amazon shows and movies through our Prime account, and Boxee doesn't support it yet  Lots of forums out there complaining about this, so hopefully they get an app for it soon! 

WinesNotWhines

I have to admit, I haven't been thrilled with their free choices. But I like that I can "rent" movies through them very easily. It almost makes up for the Netflix debacle, which means I don't get DVDs in the mail anymore.

starbucksaholic

Darn, I have prime but through my mom. You can't do this if you're a "guest" on someone else's account. Very cool though!

kastle

WinesNotWhines:

I have to admit, I haven't been thrilled with their free choices. But I like that I can "rent" movies through them very easily. It almost makes up for the Netflix debacle, which means I don't get DVDs in the mail anymore.

Yup, we cancelled Netfix DVDs & signed up for Prime.