streaming internet to tv

[llamacide]

I'm a noobie... and I apologies if this is a rehash of old discussions but heres what I want to do.... I have a Macbook Pro... I want to stream, wirelessly if possible, internet TV and movies to my HDTV and/ or just hook the laptop up to the TV directly.... so, do I have to buy an Apple TV or what are my other options wirelessly? or, if I just go the cable route, what are my options? and what is the most cost effective for all..? again, sorry... I'm a moron when it comes to this stuff :D... I just want to explore my options.....
thanx all,
tbyrd

[Chris Rogers]

I connect my laptop (PC) to my HDTV via HDMI. I got my HDMI cable of off amazon for $1.75. I have my movies stored on an external hard drive which I acess wirelessly via airport extreme.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, you can somehow manage to connect a macbook (I'm just assuming this is what you have) via HDMI.

Until I get my Apple TV I'm stuck with my crApple TV

[llamacide]

r u connecting ur laptop to another computer to stream or is ur external HD connect freely to ur airport? I only use a Macbook. I'd love to have my Macbook free and stream from an internet source to my computer, but not sure if thats possible.... or is it?

[Chris Rogers]

r u connecting ur laptop to another computer to stream or is ur external HD connect freely to ur airport? I only use a Macbook. I'd love to have my Macbook free and stream from an internet source to my computer, but not sure if thats possible.... or is it?

I stream from my external HD that is connected to Airport.

With my PC I also use my TV as a second display and I can watch/stream netflix movies from their site as opposed to buying their box. I can also surf the web yadda-yadda.

I'm kind of new in this area but I learn a lot of things through trial and error. I don't have a macbook (yet) so I can't really try at the moment.