AppleTV4, RugbyPass and DNS4Me : very unstable

Forums › Online streaming services › AppleTV4, RugbyPass and DNS4Me : very unstable

matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#198250 1-Jul-2016 23:09

I'm having serious stability problems with my setup - of which there are two. The primary is an Apple TV4 coupled to a TV - the ATV4 runs the RP app and the DNS settings & iTunes store region (set to USA) for the ATV4 have been configured according to the RP guides. I can't understand why the DNS routing service doesn't need to be involved in this setup, but I've successfully streamed several matches with this setup. However, it seems unstable : today I went to use it to watch a match but the app displays the 'content not available ion your region" message. Checked the DNS setting and iTunes store region setting in the ATV : still the same. Reset the ATV : still the same : geo-blocked.

Tried two Macs : changed the DNS entries in the Control Panel, clicked OK then Apply then restarted : that renders both computers incapable of getting online.

Anyone know what's going on?? Is it DNS4me that's causing the issue?

Also, surely I can't tell RP that I'm in NZ using a DNS service to trick their server....???

1 | 2

I iz your trusted friend
5877 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 151

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1584434 2-Jul-2016 00:29

Did you check with DNS4me support?

Internet is my backyard...

«Geekzone blog: Tech 'n Chips Takeaway» «Personal blog: And then...»

Please read the Geekzone's FUG

matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#1584447 2-Jul-2016 06:51

Yes, they said "try the India server". All well & good if that fixes it - but it's not really a viable service if you need to keep changing settings, and can't watch a game when you want to - and need to consult support to get it operational again.,.until next time. Grrr.

Even if changing server to India via the DNS4me settings allows it to stream on the computer, what about my ATV app that won't work? I can't understand btw, how the DNS side of things is required on the computer but not on the Tv/ATV setup.

matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#1584452 2-Jul-2016 07:51

Just a warning to people thinking of using RugbyPass to stream rugby : I've found it a very unstable & unreliable setup. It could be the way I've configured it, however I've followed the setup guides to the letter yet it still seems display the 'you're geo-blocked' page at random and at will. The streaming quality is also pretty bad (I'm on Spark fibre with a 100Mb/s downsized), an ATV4, a Nighthawk router and a 4K TV...the ball 'stutters' whenever it's flying free via a kick or long pass.

I've had it functioning on both the Mac and the TV using AppleTV 4's RugbyPass app : and now both setups are down, and despite assistance from DNS4me, neither setup is working. Worse still, following DNS4me's setup guide for the Mac renders the Mac TOTALLY incapable of going online...not that useful!

dazhann

465 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 98

#1584463 2-Jul-2016 08:11

I've only had one issue whereI had to change from Singapore to India. Im using dns4me on ipad atv3 and laptop watched chiefs game last night no worries.

matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#1584507 2-Jul-2016 09:28

It was quite stable but has recently been bad. Must be something to do with my settings - maybe the new router?? How does one know which server to switch to when the current server stops cooperating? Just trial & error??

Dairyxox

1595 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 455

#1584812 2-Jul-2016 20:01

You can see which servers are having trouble here:

http://dns4me.net/check

India used to be good, but today its had issues. Try switching back to Singapore, its working fine.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#1584882 2-Jul-2016 21:46

I can't for the life of me figure out what's up with my setups - neither of them will show RugbyPass. I've tried multiple times using the AppleTV4 to run it : reentered DNS settings, switched iTunes store, restarted ATV....always the same message : "This application is currently unavailable in your area". Still don't really understand how having a DNS4me subscription has an effect on the ATV/TV setup - unless the DNS address I typed into the ATV is a DNS4me server address?? In any case, it doesn't work (for me) and the talk of trying different servers is irrelevant as that's not something you can alter in the ATV4 app - only on the computer.

Can't get the computer based setup to work either - so can't even watch rugby there, or stream it to the TV via the AppleTV. Why does my computer become totally incapable of going online when I change the DNS settings from 192.168.1.1 to the two addresses listed in the DNS4me guide? It didn't do this previously : it would allow access to RP via a browser, as well as other sites. Now, if I only have the two DNS4me addresses entered in the control panel, NOTHING works online at all.

I have www.rugbypass.com and rugbypass.com entered into the DNS4me user console 'custom domains' - having both there has worked before - maybe I should restrict it to one?? Have currently both to Singapore.

Dairyxox

1595 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 455

#1585016 3-Jul-2016 10:07

matt17:

I can't for the life of me figure out what's up with my setups - neither of them will show RugbyPass. I've tried multiple times using the AppleTV4 to run it : reentered DNS settings, switched iTunes store, restarted ATV....always the same message : "This application is currently unavailable in your area". Still don't really understand how having a DNS4me subscription has an effect on the ATV/TV setup - unless the DNS address I typed into the ATV is a DNS4me server address?? In any case, it doesn't work (for me) and the talk of trying different servers is irrelevant as that's not something you can alter in the ATV4 app - only on the computer.

You must setup your ATV4. You need to enter the dns address into the network settings. I dont have an ATV4 so I cant say if doing this is the same as the setup guide they have on DNS4me website. That is where you should start. If stuck you can try raise a support ticket there too. There may also be another level of blocking implimented (which region is your appleid account for example)

matt17:

Can't get the computer based setup to work either - so can't even watch rugby there, or stream it to the TV via the AppleTV. Why does my computer become totally incapable of going online when I change the DNS settings from 192.168.1.1 to the two addresses listed in the DNS4me guide? It didn't do this previously : it would allow access to RP via a browser, as well as other sites. Now, if I only have the two DNS4me addresses entered in the control panel, NOTHING works online at all.

Are you rebooting your machine after changing the dns server on your computer? You computer (actually most devices) will cache dns requests, so even after changing the setting they will remember the old address.

matt17:

I have www.rugbypass.com and rugbypass.com entered into the DNS4me user console 'custom domains' - having both there has worked before - maybe I should restrict it to one?? Have currently both to Singapore.

Singapore was working for me last night, and still today in a browser. Try rebooting your machine to flush the dns cache.

jat80

245 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 24

#1595367 19-Jul-2016 23:52

I have not had any problems whatsoever with dns4me, rugbypass and my ATV4. Been using it for the last 2 months and it's worked fine.

This is how i've setup mine:

Make sure you have a static IP address and add it as one of your Zones in dns4me.

Add www.rugbypass.com as a custom domain using singapore as the server.

On your ROUTER ONLY - add the DNS Server IP's. I have an ASUS RT-AC66U router. Follow the guides for your's as per the setupp guide under support tab on dns4me website.

Check the rest of the services you are using and any conflicts in yellow. I'm only really using BBC iplayer and the aussie on demand channels.

You should be good to go. There is no need to configure on your devices only on the router if using locally.

matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#1595435 20-Jul-2016 08:39

Thanks to both of you for your posts.

I've not been able to watch a single rugby match since I first had RP and DNS4me working during the ABs tests! I've almost given up getting it to work and was about to cancel both my DNS4me and RP subscriptions. I do wonder if my AppleID account is causing restrictions as well - when I switch to the US store (as instructed by DNS4me guide for ATV) it permits that - if I later go to rent a movie, it switches me back to NZ store. The basic problem is that when I try to run RP on via the ATV4, the RP app comes up saying it's geo-blocked. I did reset the ATV4 after changing the DNS setting, and setting the store - just as the guide said. It doesn't help that the DNS4me guide for ATV setup isn't updated to reflect the ATV4 unit.

I also don't really understand the ramifications of changing the computer's DNS entries to DNS4me servers - a computer savvy friend told them that's a BAD idea as ALL traffic will be routed through the DNS4me servers - a potential security compromise. Also, when I do set the computer's DNS entries to the 2 DNS4me ones (and remove the Spark one) I can't get the computer online AT ALL. Given that I don't want to watch rugby on the computer, can't I just leave the computer completely out of the loop in terms of DNS settings - and make them all in the ATV? Even if I have to switch between US and NZ stores when I rent movies/watch RP - I'd be happy with that as long as I can get RP to work!

Thanks for your ongoing help.

matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#1596759 22-Jul-2016 11:42

Ok, keen to have another go to get this thing working, as it's clearly something I'm doing wrong with the configuration.

I'm quite confused about exactly which devices (Mac, ATV4, router) need to be involved in this setup. I have no intention of watching rugby on the Mac (or any other devices - I'll only ever use the TV) so would gladly (and ideally!) leave the iMac completely out of this loop - is that possible? I know I have to make alterations to the DNS4me user control panels using the Mac, however if I can leave the Mac's DNS settings unchanged...perfect. Some explanation about which of my devices (and by device I mean TV, ATV, router etc) need to be involved and how, would be great!

1. How do I set a staticIP address? (am not sure if this is on the Mac, the router or the ATV)

2. Have added 'www.rugbypass.com' as a custom domain, and server set to Singapore in DNS4me configs. Have quit browser and restarted computer after doing this.

3. Will follow guides for adding the DNS4me server IP to my router : a Nighthawk R7000.

4. Checking for conflicts : is that via the DNS4me site?

5. I only have one AppleID - which I think is registered to the NZ Store. Should I create a new AppleID for the US store??

Have also lodged a(another!!) support ticket with DNS4me about this.

Matthew

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

dazhann

465 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 98

#1596771 22-Jul-2016 11:58

If your using a ATV just change its settings, follow instuctions for changing dns settings on dns4mes site. Add rugbypass.com to your domains on dns4me use singapore or india. Reboot atv . Should work!!

dazhann

465 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 98

#1596774 22-Jul-2016 12:01

I think you still have to create an account via your browser not the app.

matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#1596776 22-Jul-2016 12:04

Will try again - I feel like I've followed the same steps (very carefully) every time and nothing changes...still geo-blocked.

Am wondering if the new router (which has allowed me to successfully use the RP app on the TV) is being too clever and remembering the old DNS settings I entered into the ATV4?? I have powered down the router too - doesn't seem to have helped. I powered off (for 30s, by pulling out the power cord) the ATV4 after changing the DNS entry and iTunes store, several times...still no go.

Arghh!!

jat80

245 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 24

#1597683 24-Jul-2016 12:44

I would suggest doing a hard reset on your router to factory settings and start again.

Who is your broadband with? I'm with bigpipe and they have given me a static IP address (one off cost of $45 I think from memory) Ask your provider if they can give you one. Basically this means your external IP address never changes to the outside world.

Then follow my instructions as previously stated. There should be no reason why it shouldn't work. Remember, don't change your device settings, if you have, change them back to the default network settings.

DNS4ME only redirects traffic to there servers for the websites and streaming services YOU choose in the services tab. All your other normal traffic will not go through their servers.

1 | 2