Re: Internet t.v???
 

Simyo also does 5G and WiFi calling now.

Re: Internet t.v???
 

Thats good to know …. Cheers.

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What's missing still is the option to switch to eSIM.

But 5G is indeed working well and I believe the 12GB plan has been hiked up to 20GB at no extra cost. Plus Simyo tend to give out huge bonus amounts of data from time to time, even recently you can get an extra 50GB for free as a "summer bonus."

Re: Internet t.v???
 

eSIM is available and you can switch it online within a couple of hours or less.

Re: Internet t.v???
 

Just picking this up again as I have had time to test it. (I know it’s not for everyone but for those interested)

In my testing both in Spain and UAE the hub works seamlessly and enables you to connect your device via WiFi or Ethernet and all of the common UK apps will work perfectly.

I have been testing it using an AppleTV via Ethernet and also using UK apps on an iPad connected via WiFi. There are no adjustments needed to the device you are using, the hub does everything.

In my view good value for money for an almost hassle free solution.

Re: Internet t.v???
 

How is it any different to putting a SmartDNS in your existing router?

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It’s an option for people who can’t do that.

There are of course many options to get UK channels, this is perhaps a solution for those who dont have the knowledge or patience to fiddle around. It was originally suggested for someone looking for a simple solution.

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I can see that now. It’s a good option for technophobes. Over two years it’s not a lot more expensive than the average DNS solution or VPN. I must admit, entering the DNS numbers is a bit of a pain!

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Im certainly in the camp of being happy to mess around with tech but this is super simple to use and as you say its not a great deal more expensive and any changes required are managed on the company side. I had a couple of questions to ask their support and they were very quick to answer and very helpful. I think its a good option for anyone using more than one device or anyone like me where my wife likes to just turn the Apple TV on and watch TV and if I’m away and the Smart DNS needs to be reset she struggles.

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Notdunroamin €25 per is very cheap - just asked them about my renewal and quoted €76 inc IVA. Maybe you get the better price when you ask to cancel subscription!

At that price I’ll probably switch to one of the mainstream VPN companies as my 10 year old Samsung TV brought over from the UK doesn’t work with the BBC, ITV, C4, C5 apps anymore so Smart DNS is less relevant now. Using SmartDNSProxy on iPads is OK but their VPN appears limited to one concurrent device.

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Smartdnsproxy often offer good 2 year deals. I recently signed up for Surfshark VPN for just over €2/mth. Great app and easy to use. Re your Samsung TV, why not use a cheap HD Firestick for not much over €20 on offers?

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Yep a Firestick is possibly on the cards at some point. Need to understand best option and whether I need to buy one in the UK or one from ES will be fine.

Will likely be Surfshark or NordVPN if I jump.

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If you assign your Firestick to your UK Amazon account there should be no problems where it was purchased. If you buy in Spain it will assume it is located in Spain unless you reassign it. The Surfshark VPN s an app and easy to install. Setting up the Smart DNS is slightly more complicated. The problem with a Smart DNS is that if the DNS server goes down (it happens) you lose your Internet access which can be very confusing as you tend to assume other causes (I have had this a couple of times).

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I prefer using a DNS service for streaming UK and Australian channels but not every device is easy to set up. Apple TV is a joy to use, but the Chromecast for instance has become a pain.

A decent alternative is to use a VPN, possibly with a second router that is configured and used solely for this purpose: to stream tv.

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If the on demand apps still worked on the TV I would have stuck with DNS service but as they don’t work can look elsewhere. I’m technically minded so don’t mind jumping through hoops.

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The question is why isn't the DNS working on your TV? Is it the DNS service that's at fault or do the apps on the TV somehow bypass the DNS settings?

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DNS works fine. TV is an older model and UK on demand apps are no longer supported so the smart TV is now dumb. BBC iPlayer was the last app standing and looks like that has stopped working. As above will look at a Firestick at some point. In the meantime VPN will work fine on tablets for any required on demand.

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You definitely need an additional device then. Personally I'd prefer to use the Apple TV because you can input DNS setting directly on it, bypassing the need for a VPN. All UK and Australian TV apps stream perfectly on it.

Depending on the tablet, you might be able to use DNS on it as well.

If you're currently using VPN then it must be a good one because streaming apps have been cracking down on access this way.

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If it still works (I did it in 2019) the trick was to sign up for a free 7 day trial then let it expire. They then offered me a discounted deal which I ignored, they come back with an even better deal which I also ignored, and finally they offered me a lifetime 70% discount for $24.90 +vat (= €26.62) which is what I took them up on. That works out to a fraction over €1/mth!

Lifted from my A/C page:
Active
Original Subscription Date Tuesday, October 15, 2019 (24 Months - $24.90 + VAT)
Payment Status Paid (expires on Wednesday, October 15, 2025)
After Service End7 free day(s)

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Nice work :cool:

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Sounds like an excellent deal! Is everything still working perfectly to this very day?

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Have been looking at various options including Fire Stick, Roku stick. Also found a Freesat 4K TV box non recordable that has on demand apps included. Looking at manual I can’t workout if you can set a smart dns in the network settings. I could replace existing Freesat box with one of these rather than adding another device/remote into the mix.

Wondering if The Guy can shed any light?

Re: Internet t.v???
 

Have you considered one of THESE as a Smart DNS alternative mentioned further up this thread. You can then connect any streaming device of your choosing without the need to tinker with DNS settings.

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Yes looked an interesting product as hadn’t heard of it previously. Tweaking DNS isn’t the issue for me - lack of apps on old model TV which Streamlocator wouldn’t solve. Fire stick would solve as would AppleTV but the Freesat option looked interesting as maybe a straightforward switch and same number of remote controls and power sockets.

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Treat yourself to an updated TV …… plenty of great deals around 😁

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But will every new TV allow you to input individual DNS settings? Even the Chromecast doesn't have this setting...

On the upside I do believe that apps on the TV itself offer the best viewing experience. Never a problem with frame rates, etc.

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Some TV’s you can, the Smart DNS website shows instructions for setting up certain makes. The only thing I’ve found with built in TV apps in the past is that they are not updated as frequently although that does depend on the OS of the TV. Typically you’ll get far less issues with apps on an Apple TV or Firestick (this applies regardless of where you are using it).

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This is certainly a concern, as most decisions are made depending on how many actual users are affected. I would think though that the major tv manufacturers are top of the priority list when it comes to app upgrades so I assume that the likes of LG (or Samsung) will be heavily-prioritised. On a side note the BBC doesn't seem to care much about Apple TV because it remains the sole device where subtitles have been broken for over a year now and nothing has been done about it... :)

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iplayer has various issues on various devices because not surprisingly the BBC doesn’t seem to plough enough into development work.

I’ve tried many different devices (and many methods to get UK tv as an expat) over the years and always seem to circle back to an Apple TV, it’s not perfect by any means but suits us well, particularly as we almost exclusively use other Apple products and they integrate well, particularly my AirPods as my hearing isn’t brilliant when I want to watch sport :) and best of all I can unplug it, pack it and set it up again with ease when we travel, firestick is also good from this aspect and I keep one setup just in case it’s needed.

Re: Internet t.v???
 

Havnt seen any options or method to change the DNS settings on the Freesat 4k boxes, so the easiest way is via a router with the dns settings set up on that.

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Ok thanks. Is there settings for fixed IP. Seems like a fairly basic requirement.

My router admin is password protected by fibre company so no access to meddle.

Will try wireless extender settings next.

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My default device is also the Apple TV as I also predominantly use other Apple devices, namely phone/tablet/desktop, though I do have a Chromebook for travelling. As you mentioned it's also great to travel with and I have yet to find an easier device to input your own DNS settings.

I have a few Chromecasts around the house but those are going in the bin as they simply aren't up to scratch. Playing with their DNS is next to impossible, there used to be a work-around but I'm not even sure if it's possible any more...

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After reading this thread I found a stream locator hub on ebay. Brought it with me to tenerife. Can only say it's the best and easiest way to get UK TV apps to work.
Wife uses it and it works flawless.
Had never heard of it before. Thanks.

​​​​

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This? https://www.streamlocator.com/

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Yep that's the one.
I have the hub but they also offer an app, but I've never tried it.
Will be watching Bolton today on it live.
Come on you whites.

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To echo what’s been said about the hub, I’ve been using it now for 2-3 months (I have one in Tenerife and one in UAE) absolutely trouble free and all UK apps work superbly. I use mine with an Apple TV hard wired to the hub. I used to struggle with my Discovery+ app (which gets me all my rugby ) with other methods but with this it just works, so I get all my rugby in UHD with no interruptions.

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Sorry, late in catching up, YES still working flawlessly!

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I got a subscription to teeveeing for my pensioner father - once you log in it's really simple, tv listings etc.

You can try it on your phone for a week for free first ?

Obviously you need an Internet connection, and a android box - we got ours from aliexpress for 20 euro.

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I'm in the StreamLocator Discord group. I wasn't sure if you guys were aware that StreamLocator has launched its SmartDNS service alongside its app. This means that their services now work on Apple Devices without the need to buy the hub. They also offer a free 7-day trial, and I've been told the servers are the same between the hub app and SmartDNS, so you can try it out before you spend extra on the hub.

You might be able to get a link to their discord if you think it's beneficial.

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Interesting but this drifts away from the simple solution that people often ask for.