Advice sought: How to get BBC iplayer in NZ

Forums › Online streaming services › Advice sought: How to get BBC iplayer in NZ

gustov

197 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 35

#192186 1-Mar-2016 10:45

I would like to stream BBC via its iPlayer but my LG smart TV has WebOS and is locked to the APAC region of countries and can not be switched to the UK to download iPlayer. This issue is confirmed by the FAQ on UnoTelly. No problem with Australian channels as it falls within the APAC region.

My question is: what third party devices are NZ readers successfully using to download and install iPlayer and then stream BBC to their TV's (using their preferred DNS service)?

It has been suggested to me that a cheap Samsung Blu Ray player is an easy option as you get the Samsung Smarthub which can be set to other regions.

Are there other options - Roku? Apple TV?

Please share your experience of a real-life working solution to help me make the right choice about what I need to purchase to stream BBC to my TV. Please include your device name and model number so I get the right device!

Any and all advice gratefully received.

1 | 2

1170 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 778

Trusted

BigPipe

#1502019 1-Mar-2016 11:09

PS3 would be my pick.

(with an unblocking service like unblock-us or unotelly of course)

It's dead easy to setup, and great quality. If you don't own a ps3 you can pick one up pretty cheap second hand from trademe. (less than $150, sometimes a lot less) And of course it has other uses like being decent blu-ray player, and good for games.

It can also stream plex, netflix and a multitude of other services.

bigpipe.co.nz
https://www.facebook.com/BigPipeNZ
https://twitter.com/BigPipeNZ

shk292

2915 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2040

Lifetime subscriber

#1502022 1-Mar-2016 11:13

I use an Xbox 360 and a WD Live TV, although the Xbox sometimes doesn't like connecting to the Xbox live system when Unotelly DNS in use.

If you don't need a games console then the Samsung BD player option would be my favourite; the WD units are quite old and slow now (I just got one extremely cheap when The Good Guys closed down)

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 327

#1502024 1-Mar-2016 11:15

The Apple TV4 has the iPlayer app and it works great. Nice interface, smooth to use, good quality picture. I was just commenting on the weekend about how good it is. You'll need a UK iTunes account to download the app (easy enough to get if you can provide a UK address and phone number) but it's free and once you've downloaded it, it'll work regardless of what region the Apple TV is set to or what other apps you have on your home screen. I have US, UK and Australian all mixed together with the Apple TV set to New Zealand. They all work happily side by side.

If you already have a PS3 then, as the previous poster suggested, that's also a great option. Channel 4 has an app for that too. Like the Apple TV, you need to create a Playstation Network account for each region to download the apps, but once you've done that they work regardless of what region you're logged into.

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

silverlake

142 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#1502026 1-Mar-2016 11:18

I'm using and I recommend a Now TV box;

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertainment/digital-and-smart-tv/smart-tv/now-tv-hd-smart-tv-box-entertainment-bundle-10136496-pdt.html

You will need to buy it in the UK, or hopefully get someone to buy it in the UK and set it up there before sending it to you. It does require that someone registers the box with a UK address. A bank account with a UK address is used for verification. Nothing gets charged to the bank account unless you choose to use some of the Sky (Now TV) channels.

It's actually a Roku box, but it's got Now TV branding and is cheaper than a Roku. As well as BBC iPlayer you will be able to get ITV Player, 4 OnDemand and 5OD, and Now TV gives access to BSkyB channels.

Of course you will also need a DNS or VPN service to get past the geoblocking.

asjohnstone

76 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 27

#1502452 1-Mar-2016 21:00

I run just about everything through my PS4. Just set up an extra account and marked it as UK. Zero dramas.

davidcole

6099 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1465

Trusted

#1504896 2-Mar-2016 13:37

With any of the default media players, most will have a plex client. And BBC iplayer is normally fairly stable. I'd try that before buying any hardware.

I use a US roku 3, and then created a UK roku account and use that for BBC iplayer primarily.

Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 373

#1504899 2-Mar-2016 13:42

I'm using it via Android app & chromecast with a little help from unotelly

I did have to sideload app to phone

lchiu7

6521 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 543

Trusted

#1505662 3-Mar-2016 19:23

I use it on my Nexus 6 phone (sideloaded and Unotelly) and if I want to watch on a big TV, then I use a first gen tablet (Motorola Xoom) connected to the TV over HDMI. It seems the later generation tablets don't have HDMI out now which is why I keep this Xoom around.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

noroad

1025 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 675

Trusted

#1505677 3-Mar-2016 20:33

Simple PC HDMI connected to the TV, then Hola Unblocker + Adblock on Chrome or Firefox. Tip, you can uninstall the proxy part of Hola (leaving just the browser plugin) after its installed. Remote keyboard. Job done.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1306
Inactive user

#1505697 3-Mar-2016 21:06

Quick question for the plex gurus in here... I've installed the channel on my plex server, how do I watch it on the plex client on my TV?

davidcole

6099 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1465

Trusted

#1505699 3-Mar-2016 21:15

Not sure I follow. You've I installed the channel and it shows up? Navigate to that the follow your nose til you find a video.

I think it still has live tv. But I have seen some rumblings that they're starting to try and lock it down to people that have paid for a broadcasting license. That will affect after market channels. Their offical BBC apps will try to force you to pay if you haven't.

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

davidcole

6099 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1465

Trusted

#1505764 4-Mar-2016 07:38

This may be relevant and may cause issues no matter what method is used for accessing iPlayer

http://www.eyeondemand.com/2016/03/03/news-bbc-iplayer-to-require-tv-licence/

manaia

272 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1505832 4-Mar-2016 09:36

Buy a SKY UK Now TV box using UK postal address (YouShop). Worked for me and very cheap...

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 327

#1505835 4-Mar-2016 09:45

blakamin:

Quick question for the plex gurus in here... I've installed the channel on my plex server, how do I watch it on the plex client on my TV?

Make sure it's running on the server - you might need to do a little fiddling with file names and such where your media is stored. I found mine didn't pick up everything and sort it correctly at first so I had to rename some of my files in a format it could understand. Then go fire up the Plex client app on your TV. It should automatically detect the server.

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

tanivula

998 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 158

Lifetime subscriber

#1505853 4-Mar-2016 10:14

littleheaven:

blakamin:

Quick question for the plex gurus in here... I've installed the channel on my plex server, how do I watch it on the plex client on my TV?

Make sure it's running on the server - you might need to do a little fiddling with file names and such where your media is stored. I found mine didn't pick up everything and sort it correctly at first so I had to rename some of my files in a format it could understand. Then go fire up the Plex client app on your TV. It should automatically detect the server.

From my experience, the client and server both need to act like they're in the UK by DNS/VPN. If you're on the same network, then if the router's doing it then all good.

Launch plex on your TV, then go to channels and it'll be there.. I've done BBC channel on PLEX via Android, chromecast to my TV!

1 | 2