Netflix made big news when it announced it would offer a streaming-only plan.
But consumers who prefer to stream their content will learn that just as with cellphones, they will often have to sacrifice quality to get convenience.
Watching Netflix movies through your Wii? If you use the standard composite cable that came with your unit, the best quality you’ll get is 480i, approximating the image of a standard-definition broadcast. You can improve the picture quality by purchasing a special component cable for the Wii.
The Apple TV does pass through high definition, but only at 720p resolution — not the 1080p resolution that is part of the Blu-ray standard.
Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Roku’s XD and XDS models can both pass through a 1080p signal, as long as the broadband speed is fast enough.
If the streaming option is appealing, check to be sure you have the right equipment and broadband connection. After all, part of the reason you bought that large 1080p set was presumably to get the best picture possible. You would not want to be disappointed.
