7 years ago HDMI basically did not exist. Any 'new' digital connections with copyrighted video was done on DVI. Cable boxes, DVD players, etc. all used DVI for a couple of years.
You want to TRY using this cable:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231&cs_id=1023104&p_id=2404&seq=1&format=2
You do not want a VGA -> DVI cable as listed above, as the DVI input on the TV is not a DVI-I connector and can't handle analog video.
You can also consider a long list of other devices which are Netflix enabled to view Netflix videos from. Even some Blu-ray players have this capability now and may be worth considering for purchase.
Go DIRECT from your laptop to the TV using the cable listed above! Bypass any questionable activity from your A/V receiver. After you have a resolution which works on your laptop (quite possible!) you then put your receiver in line to see if that works.
If you start digital (HDMI) then you must end digital! (HDMI or DVI) You can't flip it over to analog easily.