Can i download films onto PC then external hard drive to watch on TV or do i need to burn to dvd?

Most people hook their computer up to their TV and use media center software like Boxee or Window Media Center. You can use an ipod touch, blackberry, etc as a remote if you have wireless internet. You can buy an infared media remote for 4 bucks on ebay. All of that is dependent on whether or not your tv has vga or dvi inputs or your laptop has s-video out. You can buy a vga to rca video converter on ebay for about 30 bucks if you don't have any of the cool inputs on your tv. If you can't hook your computer up to your tv, Philips and LG both make dvds players for about 45 bucks that have usb hookups on them that will read divx, xvid, etc. off an external drive. There's also a ton of different external drives that now have remotes, tv out and all the stuff built in. I know seagate makes one now. So what you're talking about isn't exactly possible. More than likely you aren't going to be able to plug your usb hard drive directly into the tv unless you have some super badass new tv with usb inputs (they do make them) but there are some other cheaper alternatives.

you can watch tv on your pc, I use this when I go camping.

I recommed you to use Leawo Free DVD Creator It can burn videos to dvd easily and quickly.You can find Leawo Free DVD Creator here: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&newwindow=1&q=leawo+dvd+creator&aq=f&aqi=g2&oq= Wish it can help, good luck!