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

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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).

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...

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.

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.

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.

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...

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/

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.