Netflix, Apple TV and International Content

Forums › Online streaming services › Netflix, Apple TV and International Content

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#177379 31-Jul-2015 13:08

Apologies for the perhaps novice questions, but Mrs Dastardly has informed me the three little Dastardlies are crying out for more kids content and Netflix could be an easy option.

So I have 2 Apple TV's and will be getting an Ipad so will be looking at viewing on a range of devices.

So setting myself up a Netflix account....can I register online using my desktop in NZ, log into Netflix on my Apple TV's and then reset the region to UK or USA and get their content?

I suspect its not as simple as that as so many use Unotelly or equivalent.

So do I register on the Netflix site of the country I want to view the main content...ie USA? And I do this with Unotelly? if I try to go to it now it defaults me to Netflix NZ?

Once Unotelly is working all I need to do is re-zone the Apple TV's to the country I require via the Apple TV?

I think I'm looking for a bit of an idiots guide to this so it would be great if someone could fill in some gaps for me....

I know people pay their Netflix subs abroad....is this to get the overseas content?

Does Netflix on Apple TV play in 5.1 by default? And HD subscription is pretty key too....!

Talk me through the steps guys..!?

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

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Hammered
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#1356003 31-Jul-2015 13:15

Have a look at this thread: www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=151&topicid=173455

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Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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robjg63

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#1356011 31-Jul-2015 13:23

You can set your region on your apple TV all you like - it *should* install the apps for the region you set it to, but when you try and actually fire them up they will do a geo check and the apps wont run.

You HAVE to use a geo unblocker (dns4me/unotelly/unblock-us) to bypass the geo blocking.

You can register with netflix NZ and them change your 'location' using unotelly (or whatever you set up), the app will then think you are in the USA/UK/Whatever and should show you the appropriate content for that region.

Unotelly have some pretty good guides on how to set stuff up.
Apple TV here http://help.unotelly.com/support/solutions/articles/9481-setting-up-unodns-on-your-apple-tv

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Boris50

20 posts

Geek

#1356034 31-Jul-2015 13:50

It sounds a bit confusing when you read up on it, but once you start it all falls into place and makes sense. Netflix and the geoblocking services both have free trials so you can try before you buy. I'm no geek either but the basic steps that I followed are (not with Apple TV myself but helped a couple of people at work):

1. Sign up for a NZ Netflix account. No need to register overseas now that the service is offered in NZ.

2. Sign up for a geoblocker like Unotelly. Small heads up, Unotelly wouldn't work on 1 workmates Apple TV no matter what he did. Changed to Unblock-us and no issues. Other workmate used Unotelly with no issues, go figure!

3. Follow instructions from Unotelly to set up individual devices. All you're doing is manually changing the devices DNS to that supplied by Unotelly.

4. Use Unotelly Dynamo to select what Netflix region you want. I use my computer but there's also apps available. Then when you login into Netflix on any other device eg. Apple TV, it will play content from that region.

5. Changing iTunes location on Apple TV is optional. It makes available other USA only apps like Hulu but isn't required for Netflix as this is available in NZ.

6. Netflix is HD (maybe not on the cheapest plan?) and I receive DD+ 5.1 on my Bluray player app. Don't know about Apple TV compatibility with DD+. Also I think some web browsers are restricted to 720p or something, best to use an app.

7. Another heads up that I discovered recently. If you're watching a program available on NZ Netflix then change Unotelly region to NZ. Streaming quality should then be perfect 1080p. Streaming quality is less consistent from USA region and can often dip as low as 480p. That's my experience on Spark VDSL anyway.

8. Don't forget use of Unotelly opens up other UK & USA channels with kids programs from BBC etc.

Hope that helps.

Cheers, B.

chiefie

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#1356039 31-Jul-2015 13:58

I sign up using Apple TV and paying through iTunes subscription. And i use DNS4me as I find them easiest and cheapest and great service.

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DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#1356059 31-Jul-2015 14:22

8. Don't forget use of Unotelly opens up other UK & USA channels with kids programs from BBC etc.

.

Thanks for the guide, yes it does help quite a bit.

I'm guessing your saying this from an IPad perspective as I understand there is no BBC IPlayer app for the Apple TV? So airplay streaming like from your IPad to your apple TV when watching things off BBC IPlayer??

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#1356317 31-Jul-2015 20:16

ok - all good so far and Im using Dynamo to change regions.

But how do i know I'm actually switching regions and getting UK or US content??

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#1356328 31-Jul-2015 20:35

...and what do i need global servers for??

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

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DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#1356343 31-Jul-2015 20:56

...any ideas why every show I try ad watch says "This title is to available to watch instantly, please try another title"....its really quite annoying.

I seem to be able to change regions using Dynamo....but cat actually watch ay shows?

Help!

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#1356362 31-Jul-2015 21:45

A reboot has allowed me to view shows.....so far so happy...

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#1356390 31-Jul-2015 23:22

Changing regions still causes loads of This title is not available to watch instantly error messages...

My experiment with Unotelly isn't going too well so far....

And in terms of HD quality.....its not that good to be honest....Watching Grimm and the HD quality was kind of rubbish...!

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

grant_k

3539 posts

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Trusted

#1356398 1-Aug-2015 00:03

DickDastardly: Changing regions still causes loads of This title is not available to watch instantly error messages...

My experiment with Unotelly isn't going too well so far....

And in terms of HD quality.....its not that good to be honest....Watching Grimm and the HD quality was kind of rubbish...!

Try viewing some HD content from BBC iPlayer to see if your internet connection is up to the job. If you're unable to stream HD content without buffering then you have insufficient speed. If on the other hand you find that HD content works fine from BBC iPlayer, then it points to a problem with Netflix.

P.S. You don't need to bother using Dynamo with BBC iPlayer. It just works although I see that there is a 'BBC Streaming' option in Dynamo. I've never had to use it though, so probably you won't either.

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1356451 1-Aug-2015 05:12

Boris50: It sounds a bit confusing when you read up on it, but once you start it all falls into place and makes sense. Netflix and the geoblocking services both have free trials so you can try before you buy. I'm no geek either but the basic steps that I followed are (not with Apple TV myself but helped a couple of people at work):

1. Sign up for a NZ Netflix account. No need to register overseas now that the service is offered in NZ.

2. Sign up for a geoblocker like Unotelly. Small heads up, Unotelly wouldn't work on 1 workmates Apple TV no matter what he did. Changed to Unblock-us and no issues. Other workmate used Unotelly with no issues, go figure!

3. Follow instructions from Unotelly to set up individual devices. All you're doing is manually changing the devices DNS to that supplied by Unotelly.

4. Use Unotelly Dynamo to select what Netflix region you want. I use my computer but there's also apps available. Then when you login into Netflix on any other device eg. Apple TV, it will play content from that region.

5. Changing iTunes location on Apple TV is optional. It makes available other USA only apps like Hulu but isn't required for Netflix as this is available in NZ.

6. Netflix is HD (maybe not on the cheapest plan?) and I receive DD+ 5.1 on my Bluray player app. Don't know about Apple TV compatibility with DD+. Also I think some web browsers are restricted to 720p or something, best to use an app.

7. Another heads up that I discovered recently. If you're watching a program available on NZ Netflix then change Unotelly region to NZ. Streaming quality should then be perfect 1080p. Streaming quality is less consistent from USA region and can often dip as low as 480p. That's my experience on Spark VDSL anyway.

8. Don't forget use of Unotelly opens up other UK & USA channels with kids programs from BBC etc.

Hope that helps.

Cheers, B.

If you have an Apple Mac and use safari then you get 1080P all other browsers are limited to 720P.

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rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1356452 1-Aug-2015 05:14

DickDastardly: Changing regions still causes loads of This title is not available to watch instantly error messages...

My experiment with Unotelly isn't going too well so far....

And in terms of HD quality.....its not that good to be honest....Watching Grimm and the HD quality was kind of rubbish...!

Hi try unblock us you get 7 days for free.

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#1356484 1-Aug-2015 08:28

grant_k:
DickDastardly: Changing regions still causes loads of This title is not available to watch instantly error messages...

My experiment with Unotelly isn't going too well so far....

And in terms of HD quality.....its not that good to be honest....Watching Grimm and the HD quality was kind of rubbish...!

Try viewing some HD content from BBC iPlayer to see if your internet connection is up to the job. If you're unable to stream HD content without buffering then you have insufficient speed. If on the other hand you find that HD content works fine from BBC iPlayer, then it points to a problem with Netflix.

P.S. You don't need to bother using Dynamo with BBC iPlayer. It just works although I see that there is a 'BBC Streaming' option in Dynamo. I've never had to use it though, so probably you won't either.

Ive got WXC Fibre for my internet provider which gives me pretty good internet connection speed, I'm pretty sure its not my internet provider..

When the kids are in bed tonight I'll try Unblock-Us and play with that system.....

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

Boris50

20 posts

Geek

#1356576 1-Aug-2015 12:16

Yeah, as I said my work mate had issues with Unotelly/Apple TV but Unblock-Us is working perfectly for him. I don't use ATV so can't comment further. I gather he had to restart the ATV after first setting up but fine after that. He said the Unblock-Us setup instructions were clearer than Unotelly.

With regard HD I can't get consistently when accessing overseas content, but perfect for NZ. My speedtest is 21mbps. Spark and probably most NZ ISP's have measures in place to improve Netflix performance of the NZ catalogue, but doesn't apply when streaming from an overseas location. No issues most of the time with iBBC player but can buffer sometimes at peak times. Note you need to change video quality under the settings to HD. Do you get an iBBC app on the ATV if you change itunes location to UK?

Hopefully you'll get things working smoothly, but in my experience you may just have to accept a streaming quality compromise when accessing overseas content. As I said, select NZ region on your geoblocker where possible, rather than just leaving on USA by default. www.lemontv.co.nz is a good way to search content and check what Netflix region it is available on (or Hulu, CBS etc.).

Cheers, B.

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