Vpn setup on TV/Smart box

Priapus

Priapus

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There are some shows / services I’d like to use that require VPN.

My Samsung TV and Apple TV do not support VPN apps. Neither does my PS5. So I currently use SmartDNS. However a lot of apps are not fooled by that. BBC iPlayer being the exception.

I tried to get VPN setup on the network; but my unifi hardware doesn’t work with new VPN version that NordVPN uses…

I tried a cheap android tv box - sorta worked. But horrible UX and stupidly slow.

So I’m thinking I am left with a few options here.

1. Buy an expensive / good android tv box that supports vpn and supports the apps I wanna use.

2. But a new router that supports OpenVPN. (Not keen on this)

3. Setup a Linux VM and route traffic though a VPN before it gets to my AppleTV over Wi-Fi. - this is complex and I don’t know Linux well.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

Bottom line is I just want to watch / use certain TV apps / services that are otherwise not available here over a VPN connection.

The apps / services work fine on my Mac - so I know that part works at least.
 
Nord also supports IPsec and wireguard other than open on. Your router should support one of those.
 
What about this router setup but on a vm if you don't want to replace your primary router - you'd use the VM as you default gateway for the devices that you want to route over the VPN. Just avoid double nat'ing with your USG.

It looks like Pfsense, OpnSense, DD-WRT and OpenWRT are supported. PfSense and OpnSense are quite easy to set up in a VM.

Your post also made me think of this Network Chuck video which might be of interest to you.

 
Priapus said:
Does not work with some services. Like channel 5.
Click to expand...
I use Getflix smart dns in my router and have all of the UK catch ups. UK catch-up is probably 90% of our viewing actually. Last night for example we watched the Chase on ITV, some police traffic cops type show on channel 5 and Married at first sight Australia on channel 4 (blame my wife for that one).

I’ve used Getflix for several years now and the only issue I ever had was I had to set my fire stick to UK time to watch ITV live. Other than that it’s never let us down for the UK stuff. (you also get a free vpn which I use on my phone, laptop etc).
 
InvisibleJim said:
What about this router setup but on a vm if you don't want to replace your primary router - you'd use the VM as you default gateway for the devices that you want to route over the VPN. Just avoid double nat'ing with your USG.

It looks like Pfsense, OpnSense, DD-WRT and OpenWRT are supported. PfSense and OpnSense are quite easy to set up in a VM.

Your post also made me think of this Network Chuck video which might be of interest to you.

Click to expand...

I’ll take a look thanks!
 
Spizz said:
I use Getflix smart dns in my router and have all of the UK catch ups. UK catch-up is probably 90% of our viewing actually. Last night for example we watched the Chase on ITV, some police traffic cops type show on channel 5 and Married at first sight Australia on channel 4 (blame my wife for that one).

I’ve used Getflix for several years now and the only issue I ever had was I had to set my fire stick to UK time to watch ITV live. Other than that it’s never let us down for the UK stuff. (you also get a free vpn which I use on my phone, laptop etc).
Click to expand...

This DNS works, for My5 and BBC iPlayer - but not Channel 4. Which is fine, the other DNS I use works for Channel 4.

Will stick with this solution, thanks!
 
Last edited:
Which setupguide to use with Android TV for Getflix? Not listed.

If not at router.
 
joshuatree said:
Which setupguide to use with Android TV for Getflix? Not listed.

If not at router.
Click to expand...
Tried it on a Mi Box S, changed the DNS to Getflix South Africa, etc, connected to wifi, says no internet.

So have to do it at router to succeed with wifi?
 
joshuatree said:
Tried it on a Mi Box S, changed the DNS to Getflix South Africa, etc, connected to wifi, says no internet.

So have to do it at router to succeed with wifi?
Click to expand...

Should just be that. Try their UK DNS address.

On the Apple TV I literally just changed the DNS address and nothing else.

What address are you using?
 
Priapus said:
Should just be that. Try their UK DNS address.

On the Apple TV I literally just changed the DNS address and nothing else.

What address are you using?
Click to expand...
Used my registered IP address, left open gateway, maybe should have put IP address in again, but now I see I stuffed up Network prefix length whatever that is and left it at the example default.

Put in Getflix South Africa DNS.

How to I know " Network prefix length ", where do I see that?
 
joshuatree said:
Used my registered IP address, left open gateway, maybe should have put IP address in again, but now I see I stuffed up Network prefix length whatever that is and left it at the example default.

Put in Getflix South Africa DNS.

How to I know " Network prefix length ", where do I see that?
Click to expand...

IP address is not the same as DNS. You get the DNS address from GetFlix. Also don’t change any other addresses or gateways.
 
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