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Original poster

Shamelessly posting for traffic - can someone explain Amazon Instant Video to me?!

31 replies

QueenOfTheSkies · 21/07/2017 10:01

And i mean explain it as if you were talking to the biggest muppet on the planet?

I am a total technophobe - i call people on a phone, i watch programmes via a dvd on the tv, i take photos on a camera. i do not understand combining these activities onto one 'device'. i don't own and have never used an 'i' anything. Just to set the scene for how basic i will need this explaining!!

DH and i have been watching a series on DVD and have found out that series 5 and 6 are only available on amazon instant video. we really want to watch the rest but no idea how!

So please, in idiot terms, explain to me what/how i go about doing this?!

Thank you!

OP posts:
AuroraFloyd · 21/07/2017 10:02

Search for it on amazon, find the series you want, pay for it and click play.

Original poster
QueenOfTheSkies · 21/07/2017 10:04

but does that mean i can only watch it once for that price? and do i have to watch it on the computer? (only have a desktop in the study)

OP posts:
AuroraFloyd · 21/07/2017 10:06

If you rent it then you can watch it as many times as you want until it expires, if you buy it then it's yours.

You can watch it on the computer or download an app to watch it on your pho e/tablet/smart tv/games console like an xbox.

Original poster
QueenOfTheSkies · 21/07/2017 10:11

we dont have a phone (with that sort of capability), tablet or games console. how do i know if my tv is 'smart' - its about 10 years old so i doubt it?

We have a newer tv in another room which i guess may be 'smart' - is it standard on new tvs?

what do you download it onto to be able to watch it on the tv?

i know i'm the biggest techno-muppet but i genuinely have never used this modern stuff! i can just about handle basic internet!

OP posts:
catloony · 21/07/2017 10:14

Do you have a tablet - you can watch it on there - you need to download the app. You need to buy the programs on the computer, then they are available on the app on the tablet.

Does anyone have an Xbox or PS4, you can access Amazon on there.

Or you can buy the amazon Fire stick to plug in to your TV

catloony · 21/07/2017 10:14

Cross post, look at the Fire Stick - as long as the TV has an HDMI port, it just plugs in

Original poster
QueenOfTheSkies · 21/07/2017 10:15

we dont have a tablet, we have one small desktop computer.

can you explain about the firestick for the tv? how do i check if my tv can have one of those? how does it work?

OP posts:
Original poster
QueenOfTheSkies · 21/07/2017 10:15

x-post too!

do i have to plug the firestcik into the computer to download onto it - like a memory stick?

OP posts:
AgnesNitt1976 · 21/07/2017 10:18

you get a months free trial and after that it is £7.99 a month. Not all boxsets or films are under that price/trial though some you have to purchase or rent.

To watch you either can watch on your PC or through another device, failing that buy an amazon fire stick which costs £40 which you would put into your tv as long as it is compatible.

A smart tv has the ability to get on the internet to watch Netflix, amazon, youtube etc.

Graphista · 21/07/2017 10:19

You'd be able to watch it on PC I believe. Go to Amazon click for rent or buy as previously explained and play. It's more simple than you fear. And Amazon customer services are good if you get stuck.

AgnesNitt1976 · 21/07/2017 10:20

you don't need the fire stick for the PC only for the TV.

JakeBallardswife · 21/07/2017 10:22

You will need wifi to do this.

Original poster
QueenOfTheSkies · 21/07/2017 10:22

to be able to watch it on the tv would be better, dont fancy perching on the study chair to binge watch!

so a £40 firestick will plu into the tv - i just checked, we have a HDMI port on it. if i buy the stick can i then access/pay through the tv?! or do i download onto the stick from my computer and then plug it into the tv to watch?

OP posts:
random79 · 21/07/2017 10:23

Firstly, find how much the show you want costs on Amazon Instant Video.

For example, if you were to want to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 5 - you can "buy" it for £8

Buffy Season 5

You then need a device to be able to watch it on. That will include most modern phones, tablets and game consoles.

If you don't want to watch on a tablet/phone and you don't have any game consoles you have two choices, you can either get (you might have) a smart tv which features support for Amazon, or you need a cheap device that will plug into your TV with Amazon Instant Video support.

You can also buy things like the Amazon FireTV stick
(little usb like stick, plugs into the back of your TV)

If you paste what TV show you're after, and what the model of your TV is (should be printed on the back) then we can guide you further.

Original poster
QueenOfTheSkies · 21/07/2017 10:23

we do have WIFI! tv has BT TV set up which comes through the wifi i think? (setting that up comfused me too!)

OP posts:
random79 · 21/07/2017 10:24

Fire TV stick needs wifi and connects to that. You don't need a computer at all. It will then stream the show from Amazon. Be aware that if you have metered internet it will use a proportion up every time you watch some.

random79 · 21/07/2017 10:24

QotS - if your TV has BT TV setup, you might be able to do it on that. What model is your TV?

peachgreen · 21/07/2017 10:25

The Fire Stick is like a tiny computer that you plug into an HDMI socket in your telly (if your telly is a flatscreen it more than likely has an HDMI socket, but if you can tell us the make and model we can check for you). The telly then becomes the monitor for that tiny computer, just like your PC. You use your normal remote to operate it. You connect it up to the internet by going into the Settings, selecting your wifi and entering the password - just like you would on a phone or computer. Through it you can access all the TV shows and films available on Amazon Instant Video (as well as lots of other services like games, music videos etc).

You can search for the programme you're looking for and pay to watch each episode. It doesn't download, it streams instantly through the internet. So it's a bit like using a website. It's normally about £15-£20 for a series. Some of the programmes and films are free to Amazon Prime subscribers.

Original poster
QueenOfTheSkies · 21/07/2017 10:26

the tv show is Cougar Town, tv is a 32lg3000

thanks for the help so far!

OP posts:
peachgreen · 21/07/2017 10:26

You can't access Amazon through BT any more I don't think.

WonkoTheSane42 · 21/07/2017 10:26

The Fire Stick streams your purchases through wifi - you don't actually put any data on it. I think this is the best option for you as it is extremely self-explanatory when you get it.

Original poster
QueenOfTheSkies · 21/07/2017 10:27

peaches and random thank you! that is so much clearer!

OP posts:
peachgreen · 21/07/2017 10:28

Ooh I LOVE Cougar Town. Good choice OP.

That TV would work fine with a Fire Stick. They really are a great investment - we use ours every day.

BT TV no longer offers Amazon so I think a Fire Stick would be your best bet. Once it's set up it's really easy to use, and the set up is pretty easy too.

Original poster
QueenOfTheSkies · 21/07/2017 10:29

so fire stick, plug in, i assume it then 'loads' somehow so i can then navigate with the remote? can i pay through the tv then? or if i buy it on my computer amazon account will it then register on the firestick in the tv?

OP posts:
Original poster
QueenOfTheSkies · 21/07/2017 10:30

we love it too! hence the need to see the final 2 series!! thought i would be rather judged for admitting the show's name!!

OP posts:
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