How to watch Netflix without a smart TV

Over the past few years, streaming services like Stan and Netflix have slowly taken free-to-air's place in Australian living rooms. However, it’s never as simple as just getting Netflix – you’ve got to choose a plan, make sure your broadband is fast enough to handle streaming video and buy a smart TV compatible with popular streaming apps. Or do you?

Using a smart TV is just one of the many ways you can stream services like Netflix and Stan. There’s actually a huge range of options available if you want access to thousands of movies and TV shows on-demand from the comfort of your armchair.

These are the many ways you can watch Netflix Australia without a smart TV.

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Through a video game console (Xbox, Playstation and Wii U)

If you own either an Xbox (360 or One), Playstation (3, 4 or 5) or Wii U, you can already access Netflix. Each of these consoles has an online store where you can download games and applications, including Netflix Australia.

Simply download the application from the appropriate store (it’s always free to download), log in with your Netflix account details and you’ll be watching Netflix in no time. Though, if you’re unsure, you might want to have someone close by to show you how to operate Netflix with the video game controller. For more help on getting started, check out our step-by-step guide to setting up Netflix on just about any device.

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Through Google Chromecast

Google's Chromecast is a cheap and easy way to stream content from a smartphone or tablet to a TV. To stream Netflix through Chromecast, simply plug it into the HDMI port in the back of your television and change your TV’s output to HDMI (taking note of the HDMI port you plugged the device into).

If you need more help setting up Chromecast on your television at home, follow our handy guide to watching Netflix on Chromecast.

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Try using Apple TV

Like Google Chromecast, Apple TV is a relatively cheap (usually around $269 for 4th generation) way to watch a variety of media from any old television with an HDMI port (most from the last 10 years). If you do happen to own an Apple TV, check out our step-by-step guide to getting connected and setting up Netflix.

The convenient thing about Apple TV is that you don’t have to jump too many hurdles to get set up. So long as your Apple TV's firmware is up to date, the Netflix app should be ready to launch straight from your home screen.

If you want to learn more, check out our guide to Apple TV

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Connect a tablet or computer directly to your television

Though it may seem complicated, connecting your tablet or computer to your television can really be quite simple with an HDMI adapter. A range of adapters is sold to convert micro USB (Android tablets), lightning (Apple iPad), and many other connections to HDMI (and if you’ve got a relatively new PC, there should already be an HDMI output somewhere on your computer).

All you need to do is connect your computer or tablet to your TV with an adapter, change your television to HDMI output and you should see the screen from your tablet or computer mirrored on the television. Now all you have to do is access Netflix via your web browser or mobile app and you’ll be watching Netflix on the big screen in no time.

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