Much of this stuff makes my head explode but

How is this a problem?

You start it and you sit down. You don't have to keep "doing things" so you. It's no different to when the controls were on the TV and we didn't have remotes. Think of the exercise.

There's a reason why embedded operating systems exist. Running a heavy OS like Windows 7 on a laptop, using that as your media centre *is* overkill and bloat. I suggest you have a look into some OpenELEC / XBMC setups out there, which kick to pieces anything Windows 7 can do.

The only thing I can't find a working plugin for is 4OD, but then I can just download what I want to watch.

Overkill is buying new stuff when your laptop, some cables, and an old tv will do the job

Aside from all the technical stuff giving me a headache just from reading it and not having a clue what you mean by 'bloat' the set ups that several people have mentioned also sound like overkill just to get a bit of TV.

I'm happy enough with my laptop and watching everything I want to on that.
Exactly

MediaHint works on 4OD though.

Dude, i obviously hit a nerve! You appear to be one of those frustrated IT folks i daily interact with, who don't get out of their cubicle's enough to talk to real customers about why they're implementing things. You should understand that i hope, if you actually use your CCNP in an Enterprise environment. They also mostly don't have a sense of humor, which pretty much sums up you're now attacking me, even if from a standpoint of limited understanding. Shame that, as to hold a CCNP you must have some intelligence - even if no common sense, another failing of many IT folks i work with.

I'll finish this thread response then we're done, as it's now only you and I that are getting any value from this conversation.

A good Consultant presents all the technical information on which to base decisions. When i stated that a media laptop connected to the TV was an excellent solution for most people when combined with a VPN solution, i was speaking to the needs of most people - if you read the thread - who just want to connect easily without specific devices.

Moving on, your last statement about hypervisor management is an error. I deploy virtualized Microsoft solutions on VMware in many designs - read for example what it means here: Is Microsoft really saying "don't virtualize" Exchange? | Tony Redmond's Exchange Unwashed Blog I'm not going to bother with anything else as you are not qualified to comment.

I couldn't care less about the intricacies of the VPN setup - your missing the point that the customer just wants to connect in as seamless a fashion as possible - you've obviously never done any technical pre-sales.

With regards to Plex, there are plugins for OpenELEC that PLex will run on. I don't really ever use PLEX, because it's a pain in the arse and i have a fantastic media laptop with 16GB RAM, a raging fast SSD and all my content is displayed wonderfully. Not sure why you think running Win 7 on an SSD with 16 GB RAM means I should be suffering from bloat. It's a high-performance machine and delivers.

I couldn't care less if you hold a CCNP. The fact that you hold a network-centric qualification doesn't appear to have assisted in your other skills from developing. I'm sure the Cisco sales rep provides you with all the bedtime reading you require. And in case you hadn't picked up on my subtle references, i run my own MS consulting company as a Microsoft Certified Enterprise Architect. Please feel free, dude, to check out my website.

Have a nice life, dude.

You lectured me on what a VPN is. Did you even read my comments? Maybe, but did you understand them? No. You were lost at my reference with regards to site-to-site or split routing over GRE/IPSEC. To think you should then lecture me on a VPN...honestly!

No, it's not. Without giving too much away, I used to work for one of the big three virtualisation vendors. Stick to your limited MSFT knowledge, like the other ignoramuses.

LOL - boasting about your MSFT qualifications. Hilarious. Must Consult Someone Experienced.

Again, your references to how VPN connections work at a CCNP level are completely irrelevant to the thread, which hinges around the least complicated way for a Canadian based device to connect to UK content with minimal setup. I never claimed to have an expert understanding of VPN solutions, but then, i don't need to. I go and talk to the network guys about that. Your proposal does not meet the requirement of the person who started the thread... instead you present an option but can only back it up by saying you're a CCNP. Well Horace, most people are not CCNPs. Which proves my point. I didn't lecture you, i merely laid out the correct technical argument - which was to present the most simple way to connect to UK content with a guaranteed SLA on quality - which the thread starter could not achieve with their existing configuration.

And if i ever see a Statement of Work written by Horace, i'll be sure to stay away, certainly with regards to virtualization because you couldn't have done a great deal of deploying the stuff :

The vSphere Cloud Operating System: Extra Layer, Extra Cost? - Windows Virtualization Team Blog - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

Microsoft solutions are not always the best...which is why i choose to be an independent consultant. But everyone runs it, everyone uses it and i can assure you that MS architecture will be around for a long time to come.

My wife says i'm being childish by pushing your buttons, so i think we can all agree to end the thread now. Happy Canada Day.

Surely the most simple solution would be for the cable/satellite providers to carry BBC/ITV etc etc but that would mean you might have to pay for them where basically everyone is trying to get UK TV for free or very little cost such as using a VPN.
I wonder if ze Germans, Dutch, French and a host of other nationalities do as much whining as the Brits do about watching their TV programmes.
Next thing you know there will be someone complaining about the price of cheese in Canada.

The BBC should make their services available on a subscription basis, as currently there are a lot of expats who are streaming their service live using modern technology with no way to prevent or collect revenue for them doing this.

If I was a lay person (ie, non technical) I'd be happy to pay a reasonable subscription to the BBC if it meant I could stream it from Chromecast / Roku etc. As it is, those who are technically able get round the geo blocks with ease, whilst those who can't are stuck unable to watch the service but willing to pay.

I think that people complain about everything I miss the quality of BBC documentaries, there's no comparison in NA as you know. That's the only reason i watch it and for some of the sport. I also prefer UK commentary on world cup games and i need Sky F1 for the motor racing. I know how to get around it technically, which was the whole point of this post i guess...but on the other hand i think the BBC is missing out on a no-brainer revenue stream, because believe it or not, there are those expats actually willing to pay to watch Strictly Come Dancing and other such tosh.

or, alternatively, they just use MediaHint (or similar) or the numerous other sites that allow live viewing.

Assuming that the time difference doesn't render it useless

That's beyond most people, believe it or not. Plus, you can't use it for things like Chromecast (not unless you know how to perform a DNAT on your router, as Google statically assigns the DNS entries on their devices - again, outside the abilities of 99% of people).

FL... who's whining?

This thread originally had some interesting advise/recommendations about watching British TV until it went off course.

Bristol... that Unotelly is very good so far.

? So just to recap......
I still can't get BBC using expatshield. I can get ITV and Channel 4. Has anyone got a solution that a moron like me can use?

Pay for a service that works. The most recommended ones in this thread are unotelly and mediahint.