A VPN routes ALL of your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to the VPN providers site. This can be useful for protecting your privacy as well as changing your region for ALL internet traffic. Whilst powerful and useful this will have a huge effect on latency (crappy for gaming or video chat) and often a slight decrease in bandwidth.
DNS is basically the protocol the internet uses to turn URL's into IP address. A Service like GetFlix or uFlix etc simply tricks the website () into thinking that you are requesting it from another location, but still routes all of the traffic direct to you (So no increased latency by going through the middleman in another country). These services only modify locations for Netflix and Hulu etc and all other sites will still think they are in Australia.
It's all very fraught at the moment. Netflix is intermittently trapping attempts to get around geo-blocking. Not very time, not every user, but enough to make it almost not worth the trouble.
Traditionally, smart DNS services have been the best. Unblock-us, GetFlix, etc. only a few dollars per month, with no performance degradation, so better than a vpn. Still worth trying, but all waging a constant battle against Netflix tech at the moment. Still, they all have free trials... Try one and see.
Looking with interest at the new Borderless Internet attempt. They've stopped taking beta users for now, but the signs are hopeful.
Yesterday there was mention of VPNs and I chimed in that I just use the freebie thrown in by GetFlix (the guys who give you NetFlix region-switching, BBC iPlayer access etc.). Anyhoo, their 'lifetime' sub for USD39 is back on Stack Social.
Just note that although they still circumvent the NetFlix geoblocking (with some jiggery-pokkery) who knows how long that will be the case. But if you want to take a punt that it continues working, or don't care if it stops because you use other things like Hulu, BBC iPlayer or even are just after a cheap VPN sub then it's worth looking at.
One option is to VPN into Canada. The Center Court matches (about 8 hours of footage) are all available to rewatch on , no login necessary.
If you don't have a VPN, a free trial of a DNS switching service like GetFlix would also get the job done.
I’ll second this. I bought the lifetime membership. GetFlix is great. I use their VPN service too.
Looks like it’s still on sale here:
Edit: nope, sold out ��
In recent times I've used PIA (good), NordVPN (not as good as they should be, really), (super-cheapo option, like £1 a year) and the freebie that comes with GetFlix smart DNS service in the last few years.
I dropped PIA a while back and didn't extend NordVPN when it expired as I found a combination of my cheapo and GetFlix was fine. As Getflix is faster than that gets my normal traffic, just downloads go over as that's an overseas server so more private.
EDIT: Also /r/vpn
Why use a VPN? A simple change of the DNS address is enough to allow quick access to whatever region.
You can often get trials to test it out and I recently purchased a lifetime membership to GetFlix for less than I previously paid for Unotelly.
As I said above:
GetFlix give you give you VPN along with their normal service. They have specific p2p friendly VPN servers.
Or move to Usenet like the big boys.
So there's a deal on OzBargain at the moment for a 'lifetime' (30 years) GetFlix sub at USD39. Good value if you're into that kind of thing, that not much more than their annual pricing. A bit more set and forget than VPNs.
For Netflix and Hulu, you don't need a VPN (although a US VPN will work).
The simplest (and by far the cheapest) solution is a DNS service. This is how GetFlix and Unblock-Us work. They simply make your IP address appear to be in the U.S. but otherwise don't affect your connection. NOTE: they do not secure your connection in any way but can be used in addition to a VPN.
Only way I figured out is to get ESPN+ through Hulu and use GetFlix for DNS.
Can confirm I can sign in to ESPN+ and stream pre season games. Quality is pretty crap though, but after 5 mins it kicks in and gets a bit better
This is one of the only examples of media content being better outside of America. We buy GamePass in Australia each season directly from the NFL.
It’s expensive as balls but it has every game streaming live with no blackouts, all the extra stuff like Redzone and SportsCenter, and the back catalogue of all games. We got to watch our mighty Bengals lose their only Super Bowl shot back in the 80’s. Those shoulder pads at the time. Damn.
If you need to change your location I’d recommend the DNS based service named GetFlix. It doesn’t use a VPN so it’s not slow and not automatically blocked.
I used GetFlix because if their very detailed website. I set it up to get CBS All Access, and was surprised when it worked with Netflix.
If you end up getting it, use a VPN address that, says "YES" under the SmartDNS section
Gave up, resubscribed to VPN, game is sluggish but playable.
BTW: I'm using GetFlix through one of the Montreal endpoints to circumvent (what I believe is) Comcast's busted routing/infrastructure. I've used GetFlix before for other reasons; they are pay, but they're not that expensive. Japan endpoint was sluggish as heck, Montreal isn't bad.
I use GetFlix full VPN which has the added bonus of being able to adjust regions for things like BBC player, Netflix (used to be able to at least) and others. It's got a tonne of VPN endpoints and is pretty cheap.
Depends what you want to do. Easiest way is to use GetFlix, change your DNS settings on Apple TV to the ones on the GetFlix website.
You'll also need to create a US apple ID if you want to download apps from the US store (HBO go etc)
Netflix doesn't work anymore since they started cracking down on VPN/SmartDNS accounts
Interestingly I recently found my Netflix region spoofer, GetFlix, was bought out by a VPN company called Global Stealth that operates from Turkey.
So my VPN provider is a Turkish company. Not sure how to feel about this. I'm leaving towards ambivalent.
Another vote for GetFlix, never had a problem.
If all you care about is netflix and overseas content (BBC, etc), GetFlix is an amazing choice.
It's not a VPN, it's just a DNS spoofer thing. That's an upside though, it wont slow down your internet. I think experimentally they also offer a full VPN too.
Stock standard VPN's dont base their entire marketing around unblocking netflix whilst thats basically the one job GetFlix has, they work very hard at keeping netflix up.
This is something you don't get to type that often :)
Use a Geoblocking service like GetFlix or VPN so you can access TenPlay.
Just select an Australian server from GetFlix/VPN Provider to fake that you are in Australia.
Your other alternative is to check out Channel BT.
You can pay monthly, and there are cheaper alternatives for example Smart DNS Proxy (). And there may very well be a service local to your country that is cheaper still, for instance the cheapest for me in New Zealand is GetFlix in Australia. Just make sure you're looking for DNS unblockers rather than VPNs.
Are you using the VPN at the router? Because if it is just on your laptop then the Chromecast isn't using it so Netflix won't work.
Really a smart DNS is the way to go. If GetFlix is still USD39 for 30 years (that's right) on Stack Social I'd bite their hands of and use them. As a bonus this subscription also gives you standard VPN access too.
Depending on how techie you want to get it isn't hard to have the best of both worlds. Most P2P products allow you to bind to a specific interface or IP so you can have general traffic go direct over your main connection and P2P over a VPN if you set it up right...
I manage all mine at the router but you could simply use a VPN client on your PC but tell it not to be the default route (therefore won't generally be used). Then set that VPN interface in your P2P client so that it is used there.
I'm pimping the fuck out of this deal but the deal includes access to their unlimited bandwidth VPN servers - some of which allow P2P. They ain't the quickest but it's safe if nothing else. But this process would work with any VPN provider you like.
I wouldn't jump ship to something that's $50 per year when you can get a lifetime sub to GetFlix for $39 on StackSocial.
You're buying the smart DNS really, but they also give you full VPN access in that price too (presently anyway).
GetFlix. It is primarily used for accessing other Netflix regions but they offer a VPN to customers with a huge selection of regions (US,UK,NL,AU etc) so if you have Netflix, Getflix is a no brainier! Unblock other regions and get a VPN out of it too.
Been using GetFlix since Netflix came to AU and it's amazing as a DNS proxy to flick between AU, UK, US etc. Haven't used their VPN service yet, but this is awesome to hear.
What is the use case for this as it relates to Netflix? Is it for when an ISP is actively detecting and blocking DNS proxy access to steaming services? Or is it for non-steaming purposes?
GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix GetFlix
Did I mention GetFlix yet?
Super cheap and much better and faster than a vpn if you just want to watch Netflix/Hulu/BBC etc.
Late response is because I only now i have experience of both products.
SmartDNS is baster and more stable in my experience and works fine with UHD. I'm yet to see Control D been able to handle UHD stream.
On the other hand Control D has actively been developed and has incredible granular control. . Meanwhile SmartDNS is not even able to fix Disney+ . That is 2+ years without any development. All questions to support are fobbed off . I have been using smartdns for 4 years and have not seen any upgrades or config changes in that time. User interface is extremely outdated.
GetFlix is probably worse as they have all the right switches but they don't do anything. So the function is not there. Support will tell you to test this and that but the functionality is not there , you can see that on lots of forums. What is there works. A bit worse then SmartDNS but better then Control D.
With GetFlix DNS it’s a very simple change to network settings on the AppleTV. Just change the DNS setting to manual and insert the best DNS server. GetFlix offers East, Central or West servers so depending on your location insert the best option. Very simple and works great.
VPN masks where you are coming from - usually. But some providers still figure out you are using a VPN and block the service. There is another thing called a Smart DNS which routes your request to a foreign server as opposed to the closer server - one such service is GetFlix (no affiliation/no hot linking). Paying for this service allows me to watch US content… ironically I rarely use it as most the catalog has made its way to Oz now.
I suppose that would be the case unless your VPN provider offers an ad blocking DNS host (I use Windscribe and they do). If not, then I guess you’re stuck manually switching off DNSCloak when you want to access your GetFlix routed content. It’s not a totally seamless solution, I’m afraid.
I use GetFlix. It's not a VPN and it works on any device that you manually change your DNS settings. I have a Sony smart TV and it works perfectly. The explanation is rather technical, but there's no software to install. I've been using it for two years without any problems.
Correct me if I’m wrong but it sounds like most of these issues are only in the US service where they have restrictions. I use GetFlix because it’s DNS based rather than a VPN so it doesn’t get blocked or have performance issues. Pretty sure you can get a free trial if I’m remembering correctly. I use it all the time on my Apple TV and it works a charm.
What you're asking for is achievable but given this isn't really your forte you might have more joy trying a DNS-based geo unblocker such as Unlocator, GetFlix etc. You don't want to be messing around trouble-shoooting VPN links etc each time you want to watch a game if that's not something you enjoy and understand the ins and outs of.
I'm pretty sure they use the same network, because when SmartDNS has network issues, so does GetFlix. I also find GetFlix unblocks the same channels as SmartDNS although they're not listed on GF website.
Worked well.
Partner only give me a couple minutes to do it else wanted to watch the backup series we’d started. GetFlix windows instructions may be slightly out of date - or else I was having one of those days.... anyway a quick google sorted it.
Thanks!
I don't know Getflix specifically, but VPN services can only use a limited pool of IPs to connect to the original services. Technically, it's possible that Netflix is throtteling traffic to known VPN IPs. They are cracking down on VPN services for a few years now.
Of course, Getflix also might be experiencing internal perfomance problems. Does the problem persist if you change your Getflix region? If not, It's probably Netflix.
IMHO, you cant't really be sure what's causing this. I'll check back here for better replies of people who know what they are talking about ;).
Also, read this: "GetFlix is a smart DNS proxy service that made its debut heralding a fast and cheap means to unblock Netflix. That didn’t last long, and now the company is stuck with an embarrassing name that brings up painful reminders of when its users were blocked a few months later."
I agree that it absolutely shouldn’t be this hard. They really make you work for it to take your money. I had it explained to me that the reason for the blackouts is that NFL already sold the exclusive rights to local broadcasters and aren’t allowed to compete with their clients basically so as soon as you get off shore there’s no issues.
Frustration aside, is it worth it? If you’re a football fan and you use it as much as we do I’d say yes. The US dollar is stronger against the AUD too so you’d be paying about $190 USD for the whole season. GetFlix is maybe a couple of bucks a month. They may have a free trial or something which would be worth doing to make sure it works properly.
If you’re into broadcast + streaming and want a decent library of content, Sling is pretty good. It’s a US service so of course you’re only going to get US content and it’s not available here so you’ll need to use GetFlix, a US credit card, and a VPN to sign up. It’s more pricey than most other streaming services as it’s essentially a cable TV replacement. You can get add on premium channels too like HBO and Showtime. It’s nice to be able to watch some things as they air live
Not OP but I use the same. Can be on your router, can be on the device itself. It's just changing the DNS servers as opposed to making a VPN connection.
Personally I use a PiHole with conditional forwarding using a config provided by GetFlix themselves:
ETA: Rereading your OP it might be that the iplayer app is ignoring whatever DNS settings you have and forwarding requests to Google DNS servers, I know that used to be a thing. You would need to look in to blackholing requests to gDNS if that's the case.
I’ve said this elsewhere but I’ll repeat it here because I searched for years until I found a decent region unblocking service. I’m in Australia where there’s no HBO.
GetFlix works a charm for me. It unblocks through DNS rather than VPN so there’s not the same performance issues and also it isn’t thwarted by Netflix’s VPN blocking. You can centrally configure it through their website and it works on all your devices just by changing the DNS address.
I’ve had very very few issues with it over the last couple of years and would definitely recommend it. It’s pretty cheap too. I know this totally sounds like an ad but I’m just excited to have finally found a solution and share it.
I use GetFlix which has a standard VPN service as well as Smart DNS. The nice thing about the DNS is the region settings that let you change channel groups on the fly depending on what service you're interested in.
I use it on my UK Apple TV in the US to watch Zattoo in Switzerland and it works perfectly.
I highly recommend it.
Thanks for the input.
The IP logging via Smart DNS isn't something I was aware of, particularly as certain providers claim not to keep logs but rather have a sign in and verify current IP address and then proceed I said though, logging is not something I was aware of other than for account verification.
My main issue at the moment is that GetFlix and similar services just "work", easy access to the players without endlessly cycling the connection on/off hoping to hit an unblocked VPN server.
Thats a tedious albeit straightforward process for me ;) but when the wife is in a "wanna watch Iplayer" kinda mood, it doesnt help :P
It depends on whether your load issues are due to your ISP or just to distance between you and Japan. Comcast has this periodic freak-out where they stop efficiently routing Granblue traffic for me, and in those cases a VPN helps (the VPN matters, ExpressVPN works for me, but GetFlix's VPN didn't pass through all the traffic properly and caused various issues like frozen honor displays during raids). But it's not going to help unless there's a problem that's not just "Japan's far away".
It does but not VPN - you must use SmartDNS service. I can recommend GetFlix I am very happy about it. If you wanna support me you may use this affiliation link to "czech" it :D
The way I did it (From Aus tho) was via the Official channel On-Demand website. and used GetFlix (A SmartDNS service), tho a VPN with a server in NZ would do the trick.
Was free to sign up and watch.
Watched it with a VPN in the States. Oddly, if I watch with a VPN, toggle the VPN off, then try again I get the content up available. But other episodes stream fine, so I suspect it's a caching thing. Using VPN Unlimited, have also experienced solid performance with GetFlix.
I got NordVPN monthly subscription today based on comments from this thread that it works fine on desktop devices. It absolutely does not.
There are no servers in my country, but only some close to me. Nevertheless, that shouldn't be an issue since I was using DNS from a different continent through GetFlix and it worked much, much faster. I was just waiting 2 minutes for Netflix to load and it didn't. I feel I am back in the 90's.
YES!!
Okay
I think we are getting there.
The issue I'm having now is how to connect my Pi to the OpenVPN of the GetFlix servers.
I have the following:
How can I connect my VPN to that? The instructions on the getflix help article are really confusing for me, because I don't have more in depth knowledge, I'm not sure how to translate the steps from, say, unbuntu to the Raspbian system ��
By sheer coincidence I see that the USD39 lifetime subscription to GetFlix (who I use as my main VPN provider) just happens to be back on Stack Social right now.
Uh, yeah it does. If I am using their DNS servers on my router, and they are slow, then it makes everything slow to initiate.
In fact, with ExpressVPN, who I cancelled and moved to GetFlix since last posting, had really slow DNS servers to the point that chrome would say that it could not find the address, but then the page would load a second later.
Not fun.
Based on your experience I guess people should avoid aft then.
GetFlix is my choice presently and is only $39 for life which includes full VPN access as well as smart dns. I can confirm that it works perfectly with static route dropping of Google DNS as well as DNAT with both Android and IOS clients.
Simplest answer hasn't been given yet... Use a smart DNS service such as Unlocator, adfreetime, GetFlix etc. Far better than messing around with network wide VPNs, laptop as a gateway etc.
Also, as you've discovered, no extension based solution works with Chromecast so forget all about those like mediahint etc.
I signed up for GetFlix (smart DNS) via Stack Social, USD39 for life (well, 30 years). Their subscription also includes VPN. So for USD39 / 30 years you can get OpenVPN via GetFlix.
YMMV, VPN is a beta so may just disappear. As far as I'm concerned it's worth a punt. Even if I only get a year out of them it was value for money.
Cut and paste from a previous comment...
> I'm pimping the fuck out of this deal but the deal includes access to their unlimited bandwidth VPN servers - some of which allow P2P. They ain't the quickest but it's safe if nothing else.
>What type of internet connection have you got (ADSL, Cable, NBN...)?
ADSL2.
>What is your average downstream speed?
1.7MB a sec.
>Who is your ISP?
TPG.
>What device(s) do you use to access Netflix?
Sony Bravia.
>Do you use a VPN or SmartDNS to access non-Australian catalogues? Which service are you using, and how well does it work (optional)?
It's not perfect and we're generally getting 480P, but that's good enough not to watch fucking ads.
I'm from Australia and a popular VPN down here is GetFlix, which costs me about $3 a month.
I understand Unotelly and Unblock-us are popular VPNs in the UK and they're similarly priced ($3-$4 a month).