Netflix and Apple TV in NZ

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jafa21

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Topic # 87846 8-Aug-2011 20:39

Hi guys,

I am thinking of getting Apple TV here in NZ.

Is it worth getting Apple TV? Does Apple TV use bandwidth if i stream off my wifi from my macbook pro? I am also thinking of setting up netflix. Is it a good idea to do this together?

I was wondering how can I set up netflix?

Whats is the best way to set up netflix. How much does netflix cost? Is it any good? How much data does it use on a typical movie or a TV show. What speeds can i get with netflix here in NZ?

Please give steps and costs to set it up. Once I set it up will i be able to use it through my Apple TV or only on my computer?

If I am asking what has already been asked numerous times then I apologize. Please point me in the right direction.

Cheers

[Moderator edit (MF): Moved to correct forum]

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Reply # 503572 8-Aug-2011 21:29

To begin with, if you're streaming content directly from your computer to an Apple TV 2... then no, it won't use any of your bandwidth. In fact, you could remove the ISP (internet service provider) from the situation all together and it would still work.

billgates

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Reply # 503587 8-Aug-2011 22:10

To setup Netflix on the Apple TV, signup to unblock-us service. Netflix itself is US$7.99/month. You can find the setup guide on the unblock-us website. It's very easy to setup and the speeds are not affected since the solution is not VPN based which halves your download/upload speed but a DNS based solution and it works a treat.

Do whatever you want to do man.

jafa21

14 posts

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Reply # 503648 9-Aug-2011 07:09

billgates: To setup Netflix on the Apple TV, signup to unblock-us service. Netflix itself is US$7.99/month. You can find the setup guide on the unblock-us website. It's very easy to setup and the speeds are not affected since the solution is not VPN based which halves your download/upload speed but a DNS based solution and it works a treat.

Sounds good. I have a few questions though.
1) First of all is all this technically legal to do in NZ?
2) Am i signing a fixed contract with either netflix or block us free? I mean can i cancel anytime?
3) will Signing up with unblock-us service solve my 3 strikes new internet law in nz in september problem as well? I mean does it work same as VPN in regards to blocking IP etc.
4) What is the difference between VPN and DNS and why is one better than the other?

Your help is much appreciated

Disrespective

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Reply # 503722 9-Aug-2011 10:14

jafa21:
Sounds good. I have a few questions though.
1) First of all is all this technically legal to do in NZ?
2) Am i signing a fixed contract with either netflix or block us free? I mean can i cancel anytime?
3) will Signing up with unblock-us service solve my 3 strikes new internet law in nz in september problem as well? I mean does it work same as VPN in regards to blocking IP etc.
4) What is the difference between VPN and DNS and why is one better than the other?

Your help is much appreciated

I've not used the unblock.us service before now but am pleased I have. It seems pretty quick for the US based stuff but a little slow for the BBC iPlayer content.

Just go to the setup page on unblock.us and follow their instructions on how to set it up and it'll get you running. I don't really understand why I had to give them my email address, or for that matter how they gauge the 7 day trial period... I suppose i'll find out in about a week. Either way they don't have my credit card details or anything like that.

I set my router up with the alternate DNS's so that my android phone, HTPC, Wii, and laptop have all got Netflix access at the same time. It's pretty neat.

Google will explain how to get a Netflix account but once you have it set up they will charge you USD$7.99 per month for their services. You can certainly cancel if you don't like it or want to use something else. It's just like any other monthly bill you pay here.

I don't know that using unblock.us will affect the three strikes rule as it's DNS based and only spoofs your IP for certain sites which unblock.us have decided to serve. Someone correct me if i'm wrong but VPN's on the other hand change your IP outright and will make every site you visit think you're from the IP's location.

Have a little read here and here if you want more info.

gehenna

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Reply # 503734 9-Aug-2011 10:35

jafa21:
billgates: To setup Netflix on the Apple TV, signup to unblock-us service. Netflix itself is US$7.99/month. You can find the setup guide on the unblock-us website. It's very easy to setup and the speeds are not affected since the solution is not VPN based which halves your download/upload speed but a DNS based solution and it works a treat.

Sounds good. I have a few questions though.
1) First of all is all this technically legal to do in NZ?
2) Am i signing a fixed contract with either netflix or block us free? I mean can i cancel anytime?
3) will Signing up with unblock-us service solve my 3 strikes new internet law in nz in september problem as well? I mean does it work same as VPN in regards to blocking IP etc.
4) What is the difference between VPN and DNS and why is one better than the other?

Your help is much appreciated

1. Not technically illegal.
2. No
3. Kinda
4. One is not necessarily better, it's just that Netflix geolock by DNS instead of IP.

jpollock

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Reply # 503738 9-Aug-2011 10:46

billgates: To setup Netflix on the Apple TV, signup to unblock-us service. Netflix itself is US$7.99/month. You can find the setup guide on the unblock-us website. It's very easy to setup and the speeds are not affected since the solution is not VPN based which halves your download/upload speed but a DNS based solution and it works a treat.

This service will not work with any ISP which uses transparent HTTP proxies (cough TelstraClear cough), because the proxy will perform either a second DNS lookup, or a reverse dns lookup on the IP in order to get higher cache hit rates. Completely non-transparent, and completely not neutral.

---
http://blog.jason.pollock.ca

lchiu7

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Reply # 504152 10-Aug-2011 08:38

jpollock:
billgates: To setup Netflix on the Apple TV, signup to unblock-us service. Netflix itself is US$7.99/month. You can find the setup guide on the unblock-us website. It's very easy to setup and the speeds are not affected since the solution is not VPN based which halves your download/upload speed but a DNS based solution and it works a treat.

This service will not work with any ISP which uses transparent HTTP proxies (cough TelstraClear cough), because the proxy will perform either a second DNS lookup, or a reverse dns lookup on the IP in order to get higher cache hit rates. Completely non-transparent, and completely not neutral.

Not sure what you are saying here re TCL since it tested fine using their cable modem service.

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Reply # 504155 10-Aug-2011 08:50

I can also confirm that unblock-us works well with Netflix. However the content is average at best. My kids mainly use it to watch cartoons, which it is great for. If you want really good content setup a US iTunes account. No need for the unblock-us service either.

davidcole

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Reply # 504156 10-Aug-2011 08:52

myopinion: I can also confirm that unblock-us works well with Netflix. However the content is average at best. My kids mainly use it to watch cartoons, which it is great for. If you want really good content setup a US iTunes account. No need for the unblock-us service either.

I guess the problem with that it that iTunes doesn't have a subscription model, as in you have to pay for every episode individually.

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Reply # 504157 10-Aug-2011 08:55

Dont be so tight

lchiu7

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Reply # 504158 10-Aug-2011 08:56

myopinion: I can also confirm that unblock-us works well with Netflix. However the content is average at best. My kids mainly use it to watch cartoons, which it is great for. If you want really good content setup a US iTunes account. No need for the unblock-us service either.

Doesn't the US iTunes service require a US credit card?

I agree that Netflix content is a bit average unless you want cartoons or obscure movies. I tend to find more interesting viewing on Hulu+ which costs the same.

But for the best and latest content Vudu seems to be the best since they have movies which are released the same time as the disc release. And the quality is pretty good (1080P if your Internet connection is good) and DD+ audio. Of course the impact on your broadband cap is going to be significant.

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Reply # 504159 10-Aug-2011 08:57

You can buy iTunes gift vouchers.

davidcole

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Reply # 504174 10-Aug-2011 09:08

myopinion: Dont be so tight

I'm not, but I prefer $7.99 USD model, since for say $15 USD (netflix + proxy) is probably 1 maybe 2 movies on iTunes?

Of course ilegally it would also probably be either free, or about $10 USD.

myopinion

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Reply # 504176 10-Aug-2011 09:11

Well it's horses for courses really. Pay a little and get crapo content, pay more and get good content. I don't see a problem with that. We currently pay between US$2.99 and US$3.99 for a movie and 99 cents for a TV episode on US itunes. That's pretty affordable in my book.

davidcole

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Reply # 504179 10-Aug-2011 09:17

myopinion: Well it's horses for courses really. Pay a little and get crapo content, pay more and get good content. I don't see a problem with that. We currently pay between US$2.99 and US$3.99 for a movie and 99 cents for a TV episode on US itunes. That's pretty affordable in my book.

Ahh thanks...was just looking for the US costs - to compare against netflix etc.

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