Watching overseas content on my TV

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beenz

454 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 143540 18-Apr-2014 11:39

I would like to watch overseas content on my TV.
I have set up my PC so I can do this using Hola and watch BBC and ITV from the UK.

I would now like to set up my main TV to do something similar.
I have a Sky box and was looking at purchasing another set top box to achieve this ?

I do not want to get in to anything over complicated though.
What are my options (if any) please that are reasonably simple.

I would even consider paying for the service of some one to set it up (North Canterbury area) dependant on pricing.

Thanks

Bernard

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791 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1027276 18-Apr-2014 12:19

How close is your pc to your TV? You may just be able to run a cable from the pc to the tv.

What model is your tv?

How much would you pay upfront to set this up? The neatest way is to is to have a dedicated pc that sits under the TV that would do everything (an H.T.P.C.)

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

beenz

454 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1027283 18-Apr-2014 12:34

TV is a LG about 2 years old, does have the option for wireless with a USB dongle.

Computer is to far away to cable but we do have wi-fi.

I was thinking more of a set top box option and having a VPN set up on it ?

benneg

47 posts

Geek

# 1027286 18-Apr-2014 12:35

Both of my PC's are hooked up to our large screen TVs and I would not use them any other way; do yourself a favour and ditch the monitor, hook the PC directly to TV.

We watch most of our content directly from the net and that can include a good variety of international stations that you do not even need VPN for.

benneg

47 posts

Geek

# 1027295 18-Apr-2014 12:58

beenz: TV is a LG about 2 years old, does have the option for wireless with a USB dongle.

Computer is to far away to cable but we do have wi-fi.

I was thinking more of a set top box option and having a VPN set up on it ?

I have looked to see if this option is available for others and have not found this as an option in any available set top box (including in the US). The only thing you can do is buy a router that can be set up to directly connect to your VPN and then send it to the set top box; but this way more complicated (and from experience less rewarding) than simply connecting your PC directly to your TV.

beenz

454 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1027378 18-Apr-2014 14:50

Okay so a PC connected to your TV would seem to be the best option

I would get a new box only system i.e. no monitor what specs PC should I be looking at ?

turb

791 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1027394 18-Apr-2014 15:05

Head over to the HTPC forum and have a look at the old postings. You'll find a wealth of knowledge (and opinions!) there.

Many old second hand pcs would be fine for watching stuff off the internet. Even those ex lease ones you see on trademe. You'll just need to make sure that whatever you buy has an hdmi socket, or that your tv has a VGA socket. You can buy adapters though.

You only need a higher spec pc if you are watching freeviewHD through it, or blurays.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

turb

791 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1027427 18-Apr-2014 16:43

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=716979945

The above is local to you and would be good enough for watching netflix etc. You would need to add:

A wifi adaptor or run an Ethernet cable to your internet router.

A wireless keyboard like the Logitech K400.

A VGA to HDMI cable to go to your tv.

My advice would be to try this set up first to see if you like it, before spending more.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
65280 posts

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# 1027429 18-Apr-2014 16:48

Amazon FireTV... Plug into your TV, connect to the network, configure Unblock-US in the IP settings and enjoy Hulu+, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, UltraViolet and more.

Discussion here: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=34&topicid=143092

turb

791 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1027444 18-Apr-2014 16:58

It's a nice little thing, but he'll have to pay for an unblocking service instead of using Hola.

I don't think you can beat a pc for adaptabilty. No set top box does everything a pc can do.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

silverlake

141 posts

Master Geek

# 1027449 18-Apr-2014 17:13

I recently got one of these to do exactly the same as you wish to do;
http://shop.remarkit.co.nz/product.php?id_product=229

turb

791 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1027452 18-Apr-2014 17:20

turb: It's a nice little thing, but he'll have to pay for an unblocking service instead of using Hola.

I don't think you can beat a pc for adaptabilty. No set top box does everything a pc can do.

Correction: I think hola may work on the Fire TV.

But I stand by my comment about PC's being more adaptable.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

McNulty

152 posts

Master Geek

# 1027455 18-Apr-2014 17:26

freitasm: Amazon FireTV... Plug into your TV, connect to the network, configure Unblock-US in the IP settings and enjoy Hulu+, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, UltraViolet and more.

Discussion here: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=34&topicid=143092

See also: Google Chromecast. May not support everything but it is only around $50 and will support more services as time goes on.
More info on Chromecast

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
65280 posts

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# 1027493 18-Apr-2014 19:00

A HTPC is flexible but it depends on the programs you have installed.

The Chromecast is not very flexible at all. The DNS is hardcoded to Google so you can't easily bypass it, either with Hola or unblock-us.

Amazon FireTV is quite flexible - configure unblock-us and you get those services.

Yes you have to pay for unblock-us, which in the great scheme of things ($7/month) isn't a big deal. Hola is free but it is now limited to one hour usage a day before you have to start paying for it.

Apsattv

1456 posts

Uber Geek

# 1027627 19-Apr-2014 01:12

What do you want to watch ? Does the TV support DLNA? do you want to watch webstreams?

A very easy way is to install servio on your pc and manually add webstream links to it. Choose source input servio on your tv , choose online and then choose the streams that you added.

There are thousand of webstreams out there.

jarledb

Webhead
2367 posts

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# 1027630 19-Apr-2014 02:38

silverlake: I recently got one of these to do exactly the same as you wish to do;
http://shop.remarkit.co.nz/product.php?id_product=229

Interesting retailer.

If the goods are faulty we will meet our obligations under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Thats good, but then they go on to say

One Month warranty will cover major hardware faults that occur after purchase.

Is that a way of trying to convince people that they are only covered for a month? Funny how quickly they forgot about the CGA.

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