So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Almost 3 years of completely uninterrupted service, but my UK DNS service (UNOTelly) finally gave up on me.

What is the current favorite right now? I have Tunnel Bear to fall back on, but really prefer a DNS solution over a VPN if possible.

Don't care if it works with stuff like UK Netflix etc but iPlayer is a must. Britbox has taken up a lot of the heavy lifting but I'm a sad individual who needs access to thrilling shows like Master Chef. :p

Hardware is a dedicated Window PC hanging off the back of the TV in the living room.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Big problem is that the TV channels are quite clever at detecting VPN and other 'solutions'.
You might like to try MULLVAD, though can't promise that it will work.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Yeah... it's pretty much whack-a-mole... I've been luckier than most. I have a couple of VPN solutions working currently but I do see better performance from a DNS solution generally.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

get a friend in the UK to run openvpn

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

The only people back there I could ask are my parents... And... yeah.. No.

After 20+ years they are just getting to grips with email. :)

Maybe next time I go back I could do something while I'm there, but that's a year away.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

You could call them and ask them to run msra (Microsoft Remote Assistant). Then you could install it from here. You may get away with just installing a proxy in the UK if you just want browser traffic, such as DDProxy

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

I'm imaginging a preconfigured Pi, in a box, with an on/off switch and wifi, or its RJ45. "Please plug in and switch on"...
Admittedly, you'd have to script the rest yourself/

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

And once it's working , share it out amongst your BE friends. :)

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Try SmartDNS at overplay.net. I've iplayer working on it.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

I just signed up to give it a try but I'm getting this error when I go to iplayer

This site can’t be reached

check.unblock-us.com refused to connect.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Ah tweaked a couple of settings and I have iPlayer working using overplay.net.

Thanks Lansbury.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

I will give it a try tonight when I get home.

If I can come up with some fire-and-forget device to hang off of my parents network then I may look into that as well. Nothing that involves having their PC turned on though. Because that is bad. Like leaving the T V plugged in. :)

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

I am about to junk my DirectTV.

Brother has Sky and wondered if signing in as him would work. HE does not use it on line. I have friends with no Internet who have Dish and could use their account info to watch their package.

I did get a Firestick and that seems to work ok most of the time.

Dish has a 'cheap' package that includes NBCSN, so might go that way.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

I use SkyGo on my phone and tablet with TurboVPN or SnapVPN.
Been working fine for 18 months.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

My UNOtelly gave up ages ago. I am currently using SmartDNS. Had a 14 day trial and seemed fine. I don’t really watch UK tv anymore though so doubt I’ll take up a subscription. Most of the stuff I watch seems to end up on YouTube.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

SMART DNS Proxy
https://www.smartdnsproxy.com/

Works great. We watched live BBC and on demand stuff from CH4 at the weekend.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Anybody used ExpressVPN seems to work well with ChromeBooks.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Up and running. Thank you. :)

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Filed away for the next time they catch up. :)

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

If BBC do block them, it doesn't take them long to be up and running again.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

https://www.smartdnsproxy.com/

I see its already had a mention, its what I use after UnoTelly let me down.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Maybe I can setup a DNS proxy on AWS in London... just a thought.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Very feasible. I don't know if the BBC has blocked AWS IP ranges?

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Still no problems here with using ibVPN.

But also subscribing to Britbox now, since it's easier and you get HD picture quality.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

More Red Dwarf coming to Britbox this month. :)

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

The new stuff on Dave? I thought it was awful :(

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

I haven't seen it so I cant comment yet.

I have 1 thru 10 on DVD, anything after that is new to me.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

The last series they did was horrid...and that's saying something after the last couple of series of the original run :(

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

I didn't like 9(?) Back to Earth much. It picked up a bit after that I felt.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

That’s reason right there for me to not sign up to the service.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

So at the weekend my trusted DNS/VPN (SmartDNS Proxy) failed on BBC iplayer for the first time in years. I raised a support case and was emailed back that they were working on it.
In the meantime I tried IPVanish and that wouldn't allow BBC either.
Anyway, within hours I had an email saying the issue was fixed.

Pretty phenomenal support. I'm not affiliated but really do recommend them.

https://www.smartdnsproxy.com

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Express VPN. I have Sky News on Roku, that's fine however they block the commercials on Roku. If you go through VPN and use the Android app you can see the TV Advertisements. Reminds me how popular Bingo is over there!

Mostly without VPN ... survival guide for footie: Talk Sport App will give you most footie commentary, BBC iPlayer Radio will not but is good for the pre and post match. Plus BBC iPlayer Radio will let you hear most talk shows on local radio. I used to work at BBC WM and I can still listen to Franksie over here in Nashville on the post match call ins ... and the West Midlander's: "I tell ya whut Franksie, bl**dy disgrace today, I tell ya, d'ya know what I mean?". It's great to hear some regional call ins when away from home. I have SlingTV and ESPN3 is doing great for Championship matches. I sometimes dip into some Kodi to get Final Score either on BBC or BT Sport. However the BBC Sport app is good for scores and vidi-printers etc. Antenna TV (ATSC non subscription) in most markets gives you free Premier League matches, F1 a bit of Wimbledon and a tonne of Golf legally on NBC, it's hit and miss what you're going to see. Oddly West Brom are on a lot, Villa were not but I see more Villa matches now they've dropped a peg or two to the old Division 1.

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

I saw this today for those of you using Kodi

How Your Amazon Fire TV Stick and Kodi Could Cause Legal Issues

Re: So, my UK DNS finally died
 

Good read, including comparisons to previous times where there was attempts to clamp down "The piracy issue is now so pervasive that it’s become normalized. But much like the file-sharing apps of the 2000s and the illegal streaming websites of the early-2010s, it’s not here to stay. The authorities are starting to clamp down."

Also, some references to the use of VPN/DNS services, one wonders if they'll be a legal clamp down ever, or if the whack a hole method is more effective.
....And therein lies the most significant gray area: geo-blocking. If you use a VPN or DNS proxy service, it’s possible to watch the BBC iPlayer app from outside the U.K. The same situation applies to countless other video-on-demand providers. Are you breaking any national laws by accessing the content from outside the intended country? No. But you are breaking each individual company’s licensing agreements and/or terms of use. Technically, the content creator could pursue you in the courts (though there hasn’t yet been an example of such a case).

In my opinion, most people will do the right thing if it was easy for them, Britbox is a good start, but if access to iplayer was available anywhere for a fee, most people who wanted to access it would pay. Likely the content agreements don't make it that easy.