How to watch movies while in the hospital

[Anonymous]

I am in the hospital on a prolonged stay, and have been watching movies and tv through amazon prime to make the time go by a little faster. The hospital has wifi, but it is too slow to stream video. So, I end up using my mobile hotspot but I am blowing through my 40 GB data plan too quickly.

So, I'm looking for alternatives (here for probably another 3 weeks until my baby is born, so I have lots of time on my hands for watching movies). Here are some thoughts:

1. I can subscribe to Netflix or another DVD delivery service and watch DVDs on computer. Is Netflix the best DVD rental company?

2. I can purchase an app (which one? is there one?) to download videos I purchase online (through amazon prime?) to my computer so that I don't use so much data streaming video. I have a MacBook Air, but not an iPad. I found the Azul app, but it looks like that only works with iPad.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Can't you just buy and download movies from iTunes?

[Anonymous]

Also, if you can watch DVDs on your MacBook Air, I'd put the word out to friends and see who has DVDs around that they'd be willing to lend you while you're in the hospital. Then you wouldn't have to pay for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, if you can watch DVDs on your MacBook Air, I'd put the word out to friends and see who has DVDs around that they'd be willing to lend you while you're in the hospital. Then you wouldn't have to pay for them.

+1

[Anonymous]

You can get an external CD-DVD drive for the MacBook Air - it's about $80: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD564ZM/A/apple-usb-superdrive?fnode=5f

I've never tried to watch movies with mine, but the write-up says you can do so. It's light and connects easily via USB.

[Anonymous]

I would rent or buy movies or TV shows from iTunes. Download while you're doing something else/overnight - or send home to someone who can load them up. I would buy a season of something - and go through that.

[Anonymous]

I was in the hospital for a week, and I watched things through Netflix on my iPad. The hospital wireless was fine for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, if you can watch DVDs on your MacBook Air, I'd put the word out to friends and see who has DVDs around that they'd be willing to lend you while you're in the hospital. Then you wouldn't have to pay for them.

The library also has tons of DVDs.

You can purchase movies through Amazon or iTunes so that you'd be watching them off the computer vs. streaming them.

[Anonymous]

No advice, just good vibes for you on bed rest as you grow that baby one day at a time!

[Anonymous]

OP I was on bedrest while pregnant with my last DC and in the hospital for almost 3 months. I know your current lifestyle and the troubles that go with it!

Your best bet is to ask someone to bring you DVD's either from the library, their personal stash or as a gift to you. I tried downloading movies overnight with itunes via the hospital wifi and sometimes it didnt work because there would be an interruption in their service overnight and the download wouldn't complete. It worked but it wasn't the most dependable.

Glad to hear that you have a computer to keep you occupied. I wish you and your pregnancy all the best. Stay positive!

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,
I'm trying to get rid of these DVDs. You can have them for free (seriously). Making room for baby stuff/we never watch them anyway.

If you are at a nearby hospital I'd be happy to drop any of them off or you can have someone pick them up from me.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/emd/4498278574.html
Email me through CL if interested. Obviously this isn't worth your time if you are far away as it likely wouldn't be worth the travel, but thought I'd offer.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP,
I'm trying to get rid of these DVDs. You can have them for free (seriously). Making room for baby stuff/we never watch them anyway.

If you are at a nearby hospital I'd be happy to drop any of them off or you can have someone pick them up from me.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/emd/4498278574.html
Email me through CL if interested. Obviously this isn't worth your time if you are far away as it likely wouldn't be worth the travel, but thought I'd offer.

Good luck!

Sorry I'm in ballston/Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Get a regular external DVD drive. I got an LG one from Best Buy for $40 bucks. Send someone to the library or "beg" them to go to a place like The CD/Game Exchange (May have changed their name to The Record Exchange) in Silver Spring. They have 100s of DVDs for a dollar or two.

[Anonymous]

If it's too slow to stream, then it's gonna be just as slow downloading rather you use an app or buy the movies outright. The only option is to have someone at home download and then bring them to you.

[Anonymous]

Some options:

1. Buy some stuff on iTunes, you can download them to watch later. You can download while you're sleeping overnight, even if the wifi is slow.

2. MB Air doesn't have a built-in DVD drive, so you would have to buy one like PP mentioned if you want to watch DVDs.

3. See if you can increase your data plan on your wireless carrier (at least for your stay).

4. If not, sign up for a mobile plan that has unlimited data, just for your stay (maybe Virgin mobile or T-Mobile, or something without a contract and ETF).

In any scenario, you're going to spend some money. Just depends where/how you want to spend it!