I've been running two virtual machines acting as proxies on my HTPC, each connected to a VPN (US/UK), and running individual programs and web pages through the relevant proxy on my laptop, desktop etc. Awesomely, OverDrive has found an infinitely easier way to watch international content, at a fraction of the price - but you'll need a router that lets you specify connection DNS addresses, and you should have a static IP preferably.- Sign-up to Unblock Us - unblock your favourite video and social websites for $5 a month.
- Once you run through their setup, your IP will be registered with their service.
- You can now use their DNS servers, so add those addresses to your router's connection config (instead of automatically using what your ISP assigns). Presto, you're done. The smarts are at their end with where/how domains are looked up. Now you're connecting 1-1 to your media destination, rather than an extra hop (or more) via a bottlenecked VPN machine. HD streaming, no buffering, and automatically works on every device on your network.
To make it clear: this is still a direct internet connection, and operates no differently than using your ISP domain name servers. There is no performance sacrifice, just a different place where lookups are made.
And yes - this works. Had Hulu Plus and BBC iPlayer going at the same time last night with no proxy/VPN etc settings done. Just a machine on my network. So easy, so quick, so good.
iPad did Pandora then HuluPlus then Netflix - all fine with no settings required.
Torrents? lol - what's on Torrents that's not on Usenet beforehand? ;)
Besides, you're missing the point. The point of using this, or a VPN, is to watch not just recent broadcasts, but LIVE TV as well. And then there are shows that hit websites moments after airing, like The Daily Show.
Things you can watch that you couldn't otherwise: - Netflix
It more depends on how popular the file is, thus how many people are seeding it, the location of those seeds in relation to you, and each seed's upload speed.
All of those factors are entirely redundant with Usenet as files are server hosted with 20-50 simultaneous connections available. Critically, you don't have to upload (i.e. share) any illegal data, and each connection down is highly encrypted.
So do I have to have a static IP, can I not just run the setup when/if my IP changes?
Edit... WOOT!
Quote: [TABLE="width: 100%"] [TR] [TD="width: 80%"]Dynamic IP is not a problem. The only limitation of dynamic IP's is that you'll need to visit http://check.unblock-us.com/ every time it changes. Web browser will be forwarded there automatically when you trying to access Netflix, Hulu & other supported sites, but you need to remember about this check when you watch movies on Roku, gaming consoles and other "browserless" devices and applications. [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]
There seems to be hundreds of these VPN services about now, everyone is using them, not just for watching BBC anywhere but for privacy for downloading things. Laptop Telly is pretty fast for TV connections.
Dailytvtorrents.com is wkd for all uk us tv shows to download, I use PommyTV_com though for BBC iplayer / Hulu access though. One way or another you end up paying something to watch TV, worth it if you use it alot though I guess.