new ROKU user, need advise on channels

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sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#113044 3-Jan-2013 16:21

Hi Guys
Hope you had nice Christmas.

I just received ROKU XS as christmas gift and need bit of advise. anything i try i would get msg saying not available in your area OR if it works very old outdated content!!

any advise on some good kids channels. i tried searching private channels on google and many of them i get same message saying not available in your area !!!

my roku just sitting idle at the moment!

Thanks for advise and Have wonderful new year

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1961 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 136

#739813 3-Jan-2013 17:03

I don't think its designed to be of much use outside of USA.
You probably need to access via a web proxy so you can trick it into thinking you are in the USA.
Most web based media doesn't seem to work in NZ.
I tried BBC version of TVNZ on demand some time ago with no luck until I used a web proxy which made them think I was in UK.

rossmnz

507 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 31

#739814 3-Jan-2013 17:03

I looked at it but seemed a very us only type thing so didn't take it any further.

All the best with this and will be interested.

The force is strong with this one!

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2638
Inactive user

#739818 3-Jan-2013 17:26

Never used this but I assume you are going to need Unblock-US or a VPN solution to make things work.

If you have a decent router you could make just the Hulu (or BBC player) domains use the Unblock-US DNS server and then have all your other traffic use your ISP's DNS to keep things nice and quick for home content.

arghhh

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#739824 3-Jan-2013 17:33

I have received roku2 xs today hoping to get it connected to netflix and such, however Im banging my head against the wall as it wouldnt add the channels such as netflix, vadu, hulu, etc.

I have tried using unblock-us and unotelly, they both work great which allowed me to get into netflix website and was able to create an account.

I can view the movies on my pc though netflix, however; I can not add the netflix on my roku player and it is very frustrating.

1. when I get into roku on my tv it only has old crappy channels.
2. when I try to add the channels through the roku website, it says the channel is unavailable in you region.

** I have created both the roku and netflix account using USA zip code and having country box under USA.

I'm running out of ideas as well as my patients..lol

PLZ HELP

sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#739827 3-Jan-2013 17:47

rossmnz: I looked at it but seemed a very us only type thing so didn't take it any further.

All the best with this and will be interested.

thats what i started realising. pretty much useless for us here. i'll try to dig more and see otherwise goes to the shelf.

The VPN stuff sounds complicate to me and dont want to upset other devices .

I hoped some one had better idea on geekzone about roku.

arghhh

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#739837 3-Jan-2013 18:26

VPN setting was straight forward for me, as it is adding few numbers in router setting on VPN box.
I'm sure I did it correctly, as it allowed me to connect and sign up for netflix.

I'm thinking of trying it on my other router.

**currently using and am with telecom,Technicolor TG582n

will try it on huawei vodafone router.

will post the result later..

p.s - just in case you dont realise, without the VPN setting or other solution to fool the netflix that your internet service is from USA, you wont be able to get access to the so called premium channels (netflix, vadu, hulu+, etc).

Samsung

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chevrolux

4962 posts

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#739838 3-Jan-2013 18:26

Can you not edit the network configuration on them to use a different DNS server? It's just a 'nix box at the end of the day isn't it?

I was over thinking it when I mentioned using the router to pick what DNS to use. Just make the Roku use Unblock-US's DNS and it shoud let you in to all those great sites.

arghhh

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#739848 3-Jan-2013 18:45

chevrolux: Can you not edit the network configuration on them to use a different DNS server? It's just a 'nix box at the end of the day isn't it?

I was over thinking it when I mentioned using the router to pick what DNS to use. Just make the Roku use Unblock-US's DNS and it shoud let you in to all those great sites.

Oh yes, DNS!! not VPN

I have used DNS settings given by the Unblock Us, yes it worked, like I can watch the movies on my PC, but cant add the channel on my ROKU :(

lchiu7

6521 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 543

Trusted

#739849 3-Jan-2013 18:47

I have the Roku XD box and have it wired into my router. I have the unblock-us settings in the router.

In this configuration I am able to watch

Netflix,
Amazon Instant Video (I use my daughter's Amazon Prime account)
Hulu+ (my own account)
Vudu (my own account).

Probably the hardest part was authorising the box since when you first connect to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, each service sends down a code that you have to enter on the Roku box to pair your device with the account.

The box is great. With TCL 100Mbs cable I have been able to watch Hulu+ HD and Vudu with 1080p and Dolby Digital+ with no buffering.

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.

HowickDota

427 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 72

#739850 3-Jan-2013 18:48

You can't manually change dns servers on the roku, you'll need to set them on your router.

Also I had problems with unblock us and the roku, something to do with their ip address updating verification method, also others users in the support forums also seemed to experience this.
However, unotelly works just fine for me now.

You will also need a US roku account to use many channels.

From the unblock-us website on setting up the roku:

[Every Roku device needs to be "linked" to user's account at https://owner.roku.com/

Important: You must create account from the computer BEFORE starting activation of Roku device. DO NOT create account if Roku box asks you to create new one, it may be created incorrectly and won't show you new apps. If your device does not show US "channels" then you'll need to create new account, do "factory reset" and "link" device to that account.

Recently Roku started asking users' billing address and uses it to select apps available through Channel Store.
In order to setup Roku account "compatible" with US channels you need to select "United States" as country and use ZIP code made of digits from postal code of your actual billing address.
Add zeroes before and/or after actual digits in ZIP if your postal code has less than 5 digits.
For example, Canadian postal code A1B 2C3 can be "converted" to 00123.
Use this link to verify that you have infact created a valid use ZIP
https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action?mode=2

If you have already setup Netflix or Vudu account then you can use the same ZIP and card or PayPal account. Note, PayPal account must have credit card with US billing address.]

arghhh

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#739877 3-Jan-2013 19:51

lchiu7: I have the Roku XD box and have it wired into my router. I have the unblock-us settings in the router.

In this configuration I am able to watch

Netflix,
Amazon Instant Video (I use my daughter's Amazon Prime account)
Hulu+ (my own account)
Vudu (my own account).

Probably the hardest part was authorising the box since when you first connect to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, each service sends down a code that you have to enter on the Roku box to pair your device with the account.

The box is great. With TCL 100Mbs cable I have been able to watch Hulu+ HD and Vudu with 1080p and Dolby Digital+ with no buffering.

It gives me hope to see ppl who is enjoying the channels but at the same time it aches my heart as I'm glued in my computer trying to figure out what went wrong... :(

AliExpress

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sqlpro

516 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#739890 3-Jan-2013 20:33

Howicdata
Buddy I understand you are trying to help but whole thing looks so complicated. Does it have to be so complicated?

wasabi2k

2102 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 860

#739916 3-Jan-2013 20:59

It is a product designed entirely for the US/UK markets, we are able to use it by working around those restrictions with VPN or DNS services.

It is plug and play in the US/UK.

I use a VPN service - you need to use the VPN service to CREATE your Roku account BEFORE you pair the device.

If you create your roku account from a NZ IP address you will not get any US channels.

I love my Roku - but we only really use Netflix.

arghhh

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#739921 3-Jan-2013 21:07

HowickDota: You can't manually change dns servers on the roku, you'll need to set them on your router.

Also I had problems with unblock us and the roku, something to do with their ip address updating verification method, also others users in the support forums also seemed to experience this.
However, unotelly works just fine for me now.

You will also need a US roku account to use many channels.

From the unblock-us website on setting up the roku:

[Every Roku device needs to be "linked" to user's account at https://owner.roku.com/

Important: You must create account from the computer BEFORE starting activation of Roku device. DO NOT create account if Roku box asks you to create new one, it may be created incorrectly and won't show you new apps. If your device does not show US "channels" then you'll need to create new account, do "factory reset" and "link" device to that account.

Recently Roku started asking users' billing address and uses it to select apps available through Channel Store.
In order to setup Roku account "compatible" with US channels you need to select "United States" as country and use ZIP code made of digits from postal code of your actual billing address.
Add zeroes before and/or after actual digits in ZIP if your postal code has less than 5 digits.
For example, Canadian postal code A1B 2C3 can be "converted" to 00123.
Use this link to verify that you have infact created a valid use ZIP
https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action?mode=2

If you have already setup Netflix or Vudu account then you can use the same ZIP and card or PayPal account. Note, PayPal account must have credit card with US billing address.]

Yes, I have read the article and followed the steps like 3 times lol. I have 3 roku accounts now, each with different DNS settings.

Your trial is active: xxxxxxxxx@hotmail.com Wrong account? <---I have edited the email

This device is setup correctly. It is using our DNS.

likewise for unotelly...

I just don't understand why it won't let me add the channels..

I guess I'm gonna give it a rest for now since ive been trying to figure this out for like half a day..

lchiu7

6521 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 543

Trusted

#740004 4-Jan-2013 08:38

Just a stab in the dark but perhaps your ISP is using a transparent proxy service (I know TelstraClear does) and so if you are using a DNS service like Unblock-US to simulate being a US customer, then the ISP's transparent proxy will intercept the DNS call and do its own DNS lookup and provide as the source IP, your original (NZ) one.

An easy way to check this is to use Tunnelbear as a VPN as the transparent proxy cannot intercept a VPN service. Once the channels are added in the Roku site, they will appear in your Roku device.

Transparent proxies seem to only work on port 80 (possibly 443) but given media players like the Roku or smartphones use apps to play content which don't use port 80, they are unaffected and something like Unblock-US works fine.

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.

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