How do VPNs like unotelly work?

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TeaLeaf

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#1320282 9-Jun-2015 13:21

free

i like that word. good idea.

how long is it free for?

heylinb4nz

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#1320287 9-Jun-2015 13:25

TeaLeaf: So it sounds like there is some manual administration required when swapping between geographical IPs, like iplayer to netflix for example?

Unotelly have an android app, really quick to update your IP and change regions for specific channels.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#1320306 9-Jun-2015 13:57

so if i dont set the DNS in my router i have to change it per device? then i have a website i change global settings depending on what site/channel im accessing?

is that correct?

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#1320313 9-Jun-2015 14:11

Yes.

littleheaven

2130 posts

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#1320322 9-Jun-2015 14:23

Basically Unotelly will give you a primary and secondary DNS number. Put that into your router if you want all your devices to access the service, or just into the devices you want to use it on. After you've done that, all the region switching control is done via Unotelly's website. You just go to the Dynamo page (their name for the dynamic DNS) and there are groups of services, with each group divided into sets of channels. Just select the set that contains the channel you are interested in for each group. Changing it is as easy as clicking the button above a different list. There can be conflicts where two channels you want are in different options within the same group, and you're forced to choose one over the other, but the options are many so that doesn't often happen.

Personally I've just put the Unotelly DNS into my AppleTV, one old iPad and the old PS3 that I use for streaming the UK channels (it has the apps), and then I have a little HTPC on normal DNS for local content. Some people have had the odd issue with local stuff getting blocked and I'm not techy enough to resolve that issue so I just avoid it instead :o)

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#1320337 9-Jun-2015 14:41

cool, i just followed its instructions but glad to know i got it right.

we do turn the router off time to time so with dynamic IP we might be better off putting the unotelly DNS in the router? rather than updating the devices (3-4).

i dont watch anything local, gasp.

i would like to watch the NRL weekly though some how, Im not sure what services i can subscribe to, to watch that sport and if unotelly can help me.

littleheaven

2130 posts

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#1320456 9-Jun-2015 16:53

TeaLeaf: cool, i just followed its instructions but glad to know i got it right.

we do turn the router off time to time so with dynamic IP we might be better off putting the unotelly DNS in the router? rather than updating the devices (3-4).

i dont watch anything local, gasp.

i would like to watch the NRL weekly though some how, Im not sure what services i can subscribe to, to watch that sport and if unotelly can help me.

If you cycle the router it changes your IP address - all you then have to do is reset it in the UnoTelly control panel (there's a button you click to fix it). I believe you'd have to do this regardless of where your DNS settings are stored. One click fixes all. If your IP changes a lot, there's an auto-updater programme you can download from UnoTelly but I've not looked into that enough to explain it properly.

The NRL has a list of broadcast rights here - note near the top of the page it says there's a free live streaming site and provides a URL. I can't check that out from work but it might fulfil your requirement. http://www.nrl.com/WATCHLIVE/WatchOverseas/InternationalBroadcast/tabid/10443/Default.aspx

As for other sports, they can still be a bit of a struggle, but it looks like Sky might soon be doing weekly streaming packages if you have a specific event you want to cover.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

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TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#1320497 9-Jun-2015 18:10

nice thanks for that.

i cant seem to get my 50" sony smart TV to use the unotelly DNS settings. I set it up as per untotelly instruction, but when i click on the Netflix app, it now says it cannot connect. bizarre. any ideas?

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#1320527 9-Jun-2015 18:34

never mind, i had to reset the tv to pick up my new IP. lol nub.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

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#1322585 11-Jun-2015 08:44

one thing im semi confused by with the unotelly setup page. what does channel 1 and channel 2 mean?

and all other websites have their own region to choose underneath?

now that im getting use it, im considering chucking the DNS in the router so i dont have to add it additional devices.

Spyware

3761 posts

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#1322588 11-Jun-2015 08:48

TeaLeaf: one thing im semi confused by with the unotelly setup page. what does channel 1 and channel 2 mean?

and all other websites have their own region to choose underneath?

now that im getting use it, im considering chucking the DNS in the router so i dont have to add it additional devices.

Better to build your own DNS server and forward the relevant traffic only.

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

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#1322590 11-Jun-2015 08:49

TeaLeaf: one thing im semi confused by with the unotelly setup page. what does channel 1 and channel 2 mean?

and all other websites have their own region to choose underneath?

now that im getting use it, im considering chucking the DNS in the router so i dont have to add it additional devices.

i put the dns in the router --- wasn't sure if my connections would slow down but appears to be just fine.

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1322651 11-Jun-2015 09:43

surfisup1000:

i put the dns in the router --- wasn't sure if my connections would slow down but appears to be just fine.

No, it shouldn't make much of a difference because all your standard traffic still goes through the normal channels, it's just the lookups for those particular services that are affected by the Unotelly DNS settings, as I understand it.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#1322683 11-Jun-2015 10:18

i still dont get why there are 3 channels and individual site preferences. when they say channel, do they basically mean for the below sites which region do you want?

robjg63

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#1322703 11-Jun-2015 10:37

I switched to DNS4Me a month ago - it was cheaper - thats the only reason.
I think they actually have the interface a little clearer in DNS4Me.
The use of the term channel is a bit confusing in Unotelly.
Basically there are certain 'zones' that you can choose (maybe they should have called channels - zones).
Anyway - these channels or Zones seem to point to certain content delivery networks (CDNs).
As far as I could work out - if you turn on the ability to unblock a certain provider it sometimes breaks another provider.
I think basically you cant enable absolutely everything you want all the time.
I recall that you cant unblock BBC without it breaking TV3 on demand (from memory).

So Unotelly tried to present this as channels you could select.
...I am sure someone will be able to correct my clumsy explantion.....

DNS4Me let you select anything you want to unblock from a list - but it you try to unblock (say) BBC it would show all the sites that this might break highlighted in yellow - with a bubble that shows what this may 'break'. Personally I find this much simpler to understand. But its just my preference I guess.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

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