and more!

Buyer’s guideStreaming

What is InstantConnect?instantConnect is the best way to enjoy more content in your living room by connecting your TV, Blu-ray player, receiver, or gaming system to a place that has limitless entertainment possibilities: the internet. Newer components can connect to the internet or your home network and play video or audio content directly on your TV without having to go through a computer. you can stream movies or music and access social networking sites, news outlets, and sometimes even shopping sites through a specific set of applications, or "apps," built into the component.

every manufacturer uses a different name for the technology that connects to the internet and the suite of apps they include in their products. Panasonic calls it easy iPTV, sony calls it Bravia internet Video, and samsung calls it smart TV. To simplify matters, Vann’s refers to the ability as instantConnect across all the brands and products we carry.

Get ConneCted In 4 easy steps:

1 subscribe to high- speed internet through your local internet provider.

2 install a wired or wireless router to create a home network.

3 Add a streaming device such as a Blu-ray player or gaming console.

4 subscribe to content service through your content service provider such as Netflix or Pandora.

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Why would I want to stream media? instantConnect makes your regular entertainment more convenient. using your remote, you connect your component to the internet you already have set up in

your home. Then you pick a content provider. Netflix, Pandora, youTube, and Hulu are common ones. you may have to set up streaming capabilities on your account with some of these providers the first time, but after that, you can watch or listen instantly. Plus, you may have access to your home movies and photos right from your TV screen. you can even

connect with friends and family through Facebook or Twitter, letting you notify

people of what you’re watching while you watch it.

Is InstantConnect right for me? Do you currently have internet in your home?

Do you like to watch movies and listen to music?

Do you like TV shows on your schedule rather than scheduling your day around TV shows?

If you answered YES, then streaming or InstantConnect is for you!

you have to pay extra to get streaming content.Almost every provider will request that you create an account. some content providers, such as Netflix, are subscription-based. others, like Vudu or Amazon Video on demand, are pay as you play services. And some, like Pandora, offer a basic and limited free version plus a full-service subscription version of their services. Most of the user-generated content sites, like youTube, Facebook, and Twitter, plus the most news services, are completely free. The general rule of thumb is if you’d pay for it off-line (like renting a movie or buying an MP3), you’ll probably have to pay a little something to stream it as well.

the apps you have are the only apps you get.False. Just like almost all apps for your smartphone or iPad, TVs have app stores with new apps loaded regularly. you can search and download new apps, some for free and some for a small fee.

Common myths Content

instantConnect components come loaded with a suite of apps, that connect you directly to the most popular music, video, and social networking sites online. Most manufacturers also have an app store for more options to purchase and download. Almost any movie, song, or TV show you can think of is available online, and instantConnect will let you play it directly on your TV.

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productsTVs, Blu-ray players, receivers, and gaming consoles connect you to a new world of customizable entertainment. Built with internet capability and specialized applications, these devices are highly interactive and easy to control right from your remote.with the addition of just one of these components to your home theater system, you’ll have access to a whole new world of entertainment.

Common mythsa direct connection via a cable is needed to access the internet.while some streaming products may only accept a direct ethernet connection, most devices made in 2010 or later can accept a wireless signal either through built-in wireless connectivity or with the addition of a wireless adapter (sold separately).

When streaming movies, you have to store them on your device while you watch them.False. when you stream movies from an internet service like Netflix, they are actually hosting the movie for you. your device does not download or store any information. device memory will never be an issue or something you have to upgrade.

Can I web-surf using a streaming device?Not really. you can buy a google TV device that has the google Chrome web browser built in, but most streaming products are more limited. you’ll be using a suite of applications that connect you to very specific content sites. But the applications cover the most popular audio, video, news, and social networking sites, anyway.

it is important to note that each manufacturer has a different set of content sites they connect to. Most of the time, Netflix and Pandora are part of the lineup, but not always. if you have a particular online content site that you like best, be sure to check which sites are offered by the streaming device you’re thinking of buying.

there’s more on tV than television.The web is now a channelgoogle TV lets you access everything on the web. watch your favorite web videos, view photos, play games, chat with friends, and do everything else you're accustomed to doing online.

RoCk out In youR lIVInG Roomlisten to your favorite music on the best speakers in your house by creating a personal radio station on the fly with Pandora or listening to any song, any time, with Napster.

the ultImate pICtuRe fRameTurn the biggest screen in your house into a beautiful, high definition photo gallery. Now your TV can stream photos from Picasa, Flickr, and every other photo-sharing site.

What is Google tV?google TV is a software package that truly integrates the entire web with your television. you can browse the web just like you would on your computer, except you’re browsing on your TV even while you’re watching broadcast programming. say you’re watching a movie and you want to know what else the starring actress has been in. Just search her name in the google browser on the other half of your screen; you won’t miss a minute of the movie, and your curiosity will be instantly satisfied. only a select few manufacturers have built google TV into their products.

expanding your InstantConnect experience with Google tVMany current HdTVs use an ethernet or wi-Fi connection in combination with a suite of applications that get you to specific content sites like Pandora, Netflix, youTube, Facebook, or Twitter. But google TV places no limits on web exploration and expands usability; for example, you can use your Android phone or iPhone as a remote. you have to purchase a product labeled "google TV" in order to get this functionality.

please visit us at www.vanns.com/instantconnect for more information.

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