Netflix troubles

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2727 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1053481 26-May-2014 11:56

hamish225:
Glassboy: I had a couple of hours free last night, so I had a bit of a play. It seems Netflix Mexico is working and has a very similiar selection to Netflix US. Although it did have some buffering issues. Netflix UK seems to be rock solid, and has some hidden gems. Watched Stephen Fry's Planet Word, and Bill Bailey Jungle Hero.

i tried going to netflix.co.uk, it redirected me to netflix.com but made the language english GB, still wont play videos.

Your DNS provider will hopefully have a way for you to choose which NetFlix variant you want. It is not simply controlled via URL, with the UK version still served by netflix.com.

hamish225

1322 posts

Uber Geek

#1053483 26-May-2014 11:57

dclegg:
hamish225:
Glassboy: I had a couple of hours free last night, so I had a bit of a play. It seems Netflix Mexico is working and has a very similiar selection to Netflix US. Although it did have some buffering issues. Netflix UK seems to be rock solid, and has some hidden gems. Watched Stephen Fry's Planet Word, and Bill Bailey Jungle Hero.

i tried going to netflix.co.uk, it redirected me to netflix.com but made the language english GB, still wont play videos.

Your DNS provider will hopefully have a way for you to choose which NetFlix variant you want. It is not simply controlled via URL, with the UK version still served by netflix.com.

global mode, thus why im posting in the slingshot forum :P

UnblockUs

14 posts

Geek

Trusted

Unblock-US

#1054701 28-May-2014 03:53

6 people support this post

As a DNS provider - we've investigated the issue and here is what we've found:

1. Netflix recently changed the format of URLs for US and Canadian CDN used for video streaming

2. The affected NZ providers are using transparent caching proxies for the Netflix CDN range of IP addresses.

They are NOT using these for other IP ranges we tested.

3. The affected NZ providers are using transparent caching proxies that are set up incorrectly:

- They cache content with "no cache" directive in HTTP header (Pragma: no-cache & Cache-Control: no-store)

- They ignore query string part of the URL for caching

The combination of 1, 2 and 3 has resulted in the Netflix streaming issue. Netflix has started using query string part of the URL to request the movie pieces.

Since the content is cached incorrectly, the Netflix player tries to get a fragment of the movie but gets a completely different movie piece from the proxy and shows the error message.

Affected ISPs have to reconfigure their proxies to:

Take query string into account OR
Respect "no cache" directive OR
Turn them off for Netflix CDN IP range as caching Netflix streaming does not work anymore.

We encourage you to send the above to your ISP - as this is how they can fix the issue. If enough of you speak - then your ISP might do something about it.

watsonash

91 posts

Master Geek

#1054703 28-May-2014 04:17

as a suggestion, can we consolidate the discussions under the main thread so we have as much knowledge as possible on one place as multiple ISPs are impacted.
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=151&topicid=146618

lxsw20

2345 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1054724 28-May-2014 08:29

Ha this explains why I wasn't affected. I have transparent proxy or "internet cache" turned off.

UnoTellyNick

52 posts

Master Geek

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Unotelly

#1054726 28-May-2014 08:33

3 people support this post

We recommend all Slingshot users who have trouble to change the Cache setting in the Slingshot control panel :

1. Go to Slingshot control panel
2. Turn off the caching
3. Try US Netflix
4. Turn back on
5. Try US Netflix
6. Report your result here

http://www.unotelly.com

Unlock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more in New Zealand!

UnoTellyNick

52 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

Unotelly

#1054767 28-May-2014 09:12

3 people support this post

Great news for Slingshot users!

It appears that the issue has been resolved, and US Netflix should be working again as smooth as silk.

p.s. you won't need to tinker any setting such as the Global Setting.

Regards,
Nick
UnoTelly.com

http://www.unotelly.com

Unlock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more in New Zealand!

macuser

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#1054829 28-May-2014 10:05

Wow thanks so much Unblock-Us and UnoTelly. You went far above your call of duty to give information to Slingshot. I hope the Slingshot team have given you guys a big thank you.

UnblockUs

14 posts

Geek

Trusted

Unblock-US

#1054832 28-May-2014 10:08

3 people support this post

You're more than welcome dude - it's the least we can do.

Technical details are so important in situations like this, and we're pleased to be making some headway!

UnoTellyNick

52 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

Unotelly

#1054834 28-May-2014 10:09

2 people support this post

macuser: Wow thanks so much Unblock-Us and UnoTelly. You went far above your call of duty to give information to Slingshot. I hope the Slingshot team have given you guys a big thank you.

You're welcome Macuser. Slingshot is a wonderful ISP and very helpful to the cause and care about their users.

http://www.unotelly.com

Unlock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more in New Zealand!

Slingshot

1002 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Slingshot

#1055031 28-May-2014 13:08

4 people support this post

Massive thanks to the UnoTelly and UnblockUs guys. You're fantastic and right on the money: it does now look like everything is sorted (will need to get you guys a box of beer each ^_^)

If there's anyone else having problems let us know and we'll take a look.

Cheers,
Chris

www.slingshot.co.nz

www.twitter.com/SlingshotNZ

https://www.facebook.com/SlingshotNZ

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1056993 31-May-2014 11:06

Can anyone with global mode working please go to https://www.slingshot.co.nz/products/global-mode/ and tell me what it says at the bottom? Mine keeps saying 'Global Mode is Off' and I've tried just about everything I can think of. If yours says it's off as well, but you have it working please let me know as well.

macuser

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#1057017 31-May-2014 12:18

I got a call yesteday from a reporter from Dom Post writing about this subject. I answered some of his questions.

What do you think of the article?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/60084492/thousands-of-kiwis-get-blocked-netflix

There seems to be almost exactly the same article, which is far better and has quotes from Paul Brislen. It was only written 20 or so days ago.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/9806850/Keen-TV-watchers-forced-to-lie

corksta

2193 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#1057037 31-May-2014 12:34

"Underground use"??? Where do they come up with these stupid phrases?

Sony 65" A8F OLED TV | Sony 65" X850F LED TV | Sony 55" X900F LED TV

eracode

4166 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1057099 31-May-2014 15:19

UnblockUs: As a DNS provider - we've investigated the issue and here is what we've found:

1. Netflix recently changed the format of URLs for US and Canadian CDN used for video streaming

2. The affected NZ providers are using transparent caching proxies for the Netflix CDN range of IP addresses.

They are NOT using these for other IP ranges we tested.

3. The affected NZ providers are using transparent caching proxies that are set up incorrectly:

- They cache content with "no cache" directive in HTTP header (Pragma: no-cache & Cache-Control: no-store)

- They ignore query string part of the URL for caching

The combination of 1, 2 and 3 has resulted in the Netflix streaming issue. Netflix has started using query string part of the URL to request the movie pieces.

Since the content is cached incorrectly, the Netflix player tries to get a fragment of the movie but gets a completely different movie piece from the proxy and shows the error message.

Affected ISPs have to reconfigure their proxies to:

Take query string into account OR
Respect "no cache" directive OR
Turn them off for Netflix CDN IP range as caching Netflix streaming does not work anymore.

We encourage you to send the above to your ISP - as this is how they can fix the issue. If enough of you speak - then your ISP might do something about it.

This just underlines my perception of really, really good support and customer service given by UnblockUs. You don't see this level of service very often - I have seen their support service before and have experienced it myself. They have 13 posts on gz and 26 +1's - says it all.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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