VPN blocking - following the BBC comes Netflix...

[rafiki]

http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/01 ... FT/product

[costakid]

Another nail in the coffin of UK tv viewing

[MartinEB]

Doubts cast on Netflix plan to stop use of VPNs to get around regional blocking

Tech journalists and analysts say Netflix announcement might be an attempt to placate rights holders and believe the use of VPNs cannot be stopped.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/j ... l-blocking

[rafiki]

I hope they are right but the BBC is making a pretty good fist of blocking VPNs at the moment. Fortunately they haven't cracked smart DNS yet.

[CapnBilly]

My vpn is working fine with Player, Sky Go, ITV and Netflix, but not BT Sport (see my earlier post).

[rafiki]

When I spoke to my VPN provider they acknowledged the problem with BBC but said just keep trying their different servers which , I suppose, agrees with the Guardian article about the 'cat and mouse' scenario. For the time being smart dns works ok and is less hassle than playing VPN suck-it-and-see!

[El Cid]

For the time being smart dns works ok and is less hassle than playing VPN suck-it-and-see!

I agree totally. I cannot see many reasons (if any) for using a VPN rather than a SmartDNS.

Most devices will allow you to change their DNS settings in the device (NowTV being an exception). SkyGo does require a VPN.

You usually have to put the VPN in the router, but few routers will support this. DNS on the other hand can almost always be put in the router and is very simple to set up - VPN is much more complicated..

VPN connections usually slow down the connection speed, sometimes very significantly. DNS has a negligible drop if any.

SmartDNS is usually slightly cheaper than a VPN.

SmartDNS is tailored to specific sites so is less likely to get crippled by the broadcaster than a VPN.

Sid

[brimsham]

I had been using a VPN router for a while, but after reading the various recommends for Smart DNS thought I would give it a try. I have now put my VPN router back in its box, although I still use a VPN on my phone and tablet when out and about.

Ray

[bbobandannie]

Last night I downloaded from I player but it wont play. Thinking its this VPN issue. I use hide my Ass and its about to run out. Time for the smart DNS freebie 14 day trial I think.

[GerryinCajiz]

Last night I downloaded from I player but it wont play. Thinking its this VPN issue.

I use a VPN router and IPlayer is functioning OK (a few minutes ago).

[El Cid]

Last night I downloaded from I player but it wont play. Thinking its this VPN issue. I use hide my Ass and its about to run out. Time for the smart DNS freebie 14 day trial I think.

If it was a VPN issue, it wouldn't download in the first place.

Sid