Netflix is streaming video content, delivered over the Internet. You don't download anything - you just use either a computer or a streaming device like Apple TV or Roku to connect to the Internet and watch whatever you want, just like cable TV except you control the time and place you want to watch rather than letting the cable channels do it. The Netflix servers push the content out to you in real-time.
Netflix requires a decent quality broadband Internet connection and it doesn't have "everything". It does have a lot of recent movies and TV shows, including international content. But for $9.95 a month, it will save you a fortune on cable TV bills and DVD/Blu-ray rentals or purchases.
I was a skeptic about streaming video at first, but Netflix and Dramafever (Korean/Asian movies/TV) have changed my mind.
Thanks Mr. Jeeves
Just as good an answer on netflix as I would expect from the “ask mr jeeves” search engine. :)
If you have a modern TV, it will receive the video directly from your home wifi access point / router. You don’t even need to buy an external Apple TV or Roku box. I have all three (Panasonic plasma that has Internet connectivity), a Roku, and an Apple TV. I use the Roku most of all — great interface and reliable (but the down-button on the remote volume control for the headphones doesn’t work). OG — you DO have to purchase your content separately. I buy my content mainly from Netflix, Amazon (Prime) and Apple. I still get a DVD/Blu Ray occasionally from Netflix because their disc collection if FAR FAR bigger than their streaming library.