I know this has been done to death, but it seems like there are new options coming available all the time, so I wanted to see if I'm mising out on anything.

Currently, I do one of two things:
1) download torrents to my laptop, and then stream the content to my TV from my laptop (using Chromecast)

or

2) access iPlayer, etc, using Hola Unblocker on Google Chrome... and also, stream this to my TV via Chromecast.

I've just been reading about the Roku HDMI stick, and how it has apps for iPlayer, Now TV, etc. So I'm wondering if I adjust the settings on my modem (vpn/dns?) I can probably do it this way. Anyone tried this?


We dont have a cable subscription, so all of our TV content comes from the internet one way or the other.

Is there an easier/better way?

(1) would work fine.

(2) would not - Chromecast does its own DNS resolution so any DNS rerouting (Which is what Hola and others do) doesn't work with the Chromecast. To get it to work you have to have custom firmware installed on your router that specifically redirects the Chromecast's DNS request to a custom one, then Chromecast will work.

For us, we are getting it two ways. One is, well, (1).

The second is that we have a desktop hooked directly up to the TV, and we pay $40/year for unotelly. It's similar to Hola, but a bit quicker and more reliable. The settings are done right in the router so we don't have to connect anything every time. When we log into Netflix it goes to the US version and when we log onto BBC it goes to the UK version - don't have to switch to be in one specific country or another, it just works. Then beacuse the computer is hooked directly up to the TV we just have a wireless keyboard/mouse to control it, so the Chromecast isn't required, and it gets around Chromecast's own DNS lookup thing.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, will investigate unotelly.

FWIW- 2 does work- i use it right now. Although if I connect to a VPN, then try to chromecast, it doesnt work.

Sorry, that's what I meant - it doesn't work if you're behind a VPN.

The reason is that Chromecast resolves against its own DNS server. So if you are behind a VPN and try to get something off iPlayer, iPlayer will deliver it to your device no problem. However, in the interest of performance, instead of pulling the video off your device (which means your device would have to download and then stream it out simultaneously which would be quite taxing), it instead says "Oh, you want to watch MasterChef Episode 10 from iPlayer! Excuse me while I nip over to iPlayer's server and grab that video for you." Which is why the DNS/VPN doesn't actually work - Chromecast isn't "behind" it. It goes to Google's DNS and asks that DNS to grab the video.

If you're not behind a DNS/VPN then it works fine.

You could setup a VPN on your router with proxyplayer.Co.Uk

We picked up a smart tv from the US last Xmas. I fiddled with the DNS then changed the country of origin and voila BBC iplayer, ITV player, 4OD, Demand 5 and UK Netflix plus others straight from the router to the TV. We live in the middle of redneck nowhere so our internet service ain't so hot but our new system cuts out streaming through computers, apple tv etc so our viewing experience is so much better than before.
Maybe not the cheapest option but we think it was worth every cent.

Sounds well worth it, especially if you're not paying cable/satellite service.

We do pay for a VPN for when we want to watch Brit TV on the laptop, computer etc but I believe we don't need it for our smart tv. Never had to activate it anyway so there's potential money saving as well.
Got change out of $500 for the tv from Best Buy .

Our cable package is around $100 a month. Only about $20 of that is for the football.

I watch 3 or 4 hours a week on Canadian TV. Unfortunately the others watch plenty of other stuff, so there's not much I can do for cutting back on that.

Even Blue Bloods I watch via streaming.


There ought to be some sort of resource where you can put what you want to watch and back comes the best way to go about it.

There is an android app - easydns - that lets you alter DNS settings on an android device. I use it on an 'android stick pc' and it works.

Roj

Why do you find the need to access UK tele as you put it?
You are in Canada so immerse yourself in all things Canadian.
Have you ever tried sitting on a frozen lake and drilling a hole and trying to catch a fish while sat in a wooden shack drinking copious amounts of beer?
The backyard BBQ on a warm summer evening drinking copious amounts of alcohol?
The weekend garage sales to attend where you can buy stuff from 25 cents to whatever you can knock them down to. If driving to these then copious amounts of alcohol is not recommended.
Enjoy the rich cultural things and impressive architecture in small towns or large cities. Have a perogie and cabbage roll lunch and don't forget the side chunk of kielbasa and then wash it all down with copious amounts of alcohol.

Are you that sad of missing episodes of TOWIE, Made in Chelsea or Jeremy Kyle?

All those things - yes - except perogies bleh

We are out in the Kawarthas and it is on our door step. Ice fishing should be called out for what it is - sitting outside in winter drinking beer - fish have nothing to do with any experience i've had of it.

TV. Personally, no. I watch US netflix. Why not watch Canadian TV? Adverts sooo many esp every 5 minutes in a movie. Some brit TV shows are still great - Grand Designs for example.

Roj

Why do you have to make a choice ???? ..........I look at it as the best of both worlds.............I live in a fantastic country in a fantastic part of the world..........I also love watching the tv that I have grown up with most of my life............In this day and age with technology you shouldn't have to miss out on the things you like just because you are in a different part of the world..............I can enjoy all of the things that you have mentioned above...as well as Ant & Dec's Saturday Night takeaway

The simple answer is it's got nowt to do with you how I spend my time

Wish I could "download" a nice cornish pastie right now!!