Hey guys,

as the title says. is there a way I can switch to use US Netflix but keep my UK apps installed? I understand that I won't be able to use them while the DNS has been changed but will the TV simply wipe them once it recognises that i'm "no longer in the UK".

Many Thanks

Absolutely possible. Because you live in the UK, you already have the Netflix app, but as you found out, it is for the UK Netflix library.

You need to use a smartDNS service. This isn't free, but costs about a beer (pub) per month, which is well worth the price. I use Overplay which I am really happy with and not only can you easily switch to the US Netflix library, but you can also switch to almost all of their other counries libraries without affecting your Samsung UK TV smart hub (which you shouldn't knock as the Brazilian & Canadian one often has many great films not available even on the US library, and still in English)

Overplay are also about to announce all their localities are compatible with SuperHD if your bandwidth supports it.

That Smart DNS is an easy configuration inside your TV settings and then you just assign your IP address to work at Overplay's website.

You also get access to loads of other countries stuff as well, but that is for a different question.

So, you can retain your UK app store on your Samsung TV, with BBC, ITV, 4oD etc, but Netflix will work from any library you choose from the Overplay website.

Many Thanks! I have just signed up to Overplay and have configured the TV to Smart DNS. I selected United States from the dropdown box on my Overplay account and It worked a treat, simply opened the Netflix app and up came the US version.

I have a few questions

1) With SmartDNS now configured on the TV, If I ever want to watch one of the UK catch up services do I simply log in to Overplay and change the Smart DNS Netflix locale to UK or would I also need to remove the DNS settings on the Samsung TV for these services to work again?

2) By using SmartDNS will it effect the speed of the connection when streaming? As an example, when the TV was set to automaticaly set the DNS from the router I could watch HD streams and make use of my 38 meg fibre connection. Is the DNS like a proxy server in that the speed will depend on how fast the proxy is?

Many Thanks

Cool, glad it's working. For the first question, no, you should be able to use the uk apps with overplay. If you have issues, let us know but it should work.

For the second, you shouldn't notice any speed drop with the smart dns.

Many Thanks. Have just tested BBC iPlayer & 4oD and whilst they work fine, ITV Player is no longer working correctly (thumbnails not displaying, streams buffering). I'm hoping this is an easy fix.

But still, really amazed at how well this works,

It does work great. I have ITV working fine on my Samsung TV. Did this stop working as soon as you entered the Overplay DNS addresses in your Samsung TV? Try switching back to auto DNS for a moment and see if ITV comes back. That way we can be assured it is the smart DNS that is causing that problem. Many people seem to have problems with ITV, including those who don't use a smart DNS service.

Just in case your interested, that Overplay smart DNS can also be entered in your computer and you will have access to loads of free content from around the world as well. ABC & SBS from Australia, TVNZ & TV3 from NZ, RTE and TV3 from Ireland as well as plenty of American & Canadian TV services.

You can also use it when abroad for holiday or work so you can still access UK catchup services and Netflix. You get a lot for that monthly fee.

Let me know about ITV though, it shouldn't be affected by the smart DNS service, but if it is, it is interesting to know.

Hi, I have a samsung 6100, Can play BBC Iplayer but not ITV Player or 5 on demand. I don't really care because I have a 890 Sky+ player which has all the catch up players.
My surprice and posting here is 4od WORKS GREAT AND MORE BACK CATALOGUE ON MY OLD tv THEN ON SKY

Thanks for the reply.

Have just checked and as the above poster, ITV Player & Demand 5 have issues with the Smart DNS enabled, they work fine when I switch back to Auto DNS.

How do you switch back to Auto DNS?

If you press Menu on your remote and then scroll down to Network. Then Network Settings, then IP Settngs. Scroll down to DNS and change it from Manual to Automatic.

That's really odd about itv & demand5. I'll check that out at my end soon and get back. I have my DNS addresses set up in my router, so all devices work through them and never have had any problems but it is possible your TV model works differently here

Thank You

Kargo, there was a recent update on my Samsung smart hub, was there an update on yours? And if so, did this fix the problem?

Just out of interest, if you switch the Netflix locale at Overplay's website back to the UK, does this affect the ITV and Demand 5 apps?

I tried to emulate your problem here, but everything seems to be working for me.

One thing you could try is contacting Overplay's customer support. If you do this, go straight to the full support portal where you log in and create a ticket. This will be easier to explain your situation. Tell them the model number of your TV and how ITV and Demand 5 works without the smartDNS but not with it switched on, and that you are using Demand 5 to access the US content.

hmmm, since I updated my Samsung hub Kargo, I'm having exactly the same problem you are. Looks like you are not the only one.

I still suggest you write in to Overplay support. I will also do so. If they see the problem is global it may help them solve it.

update: ITV is back for me on the Samsung smart Hub when using Overplay, but Demand 5 is still out. How does it look from your end?

Hi ovbg,

I have just tried ITV Player and happy to report that it's working fine again although I can't seem to play anything on Demand 5. I tried playing 'The Gadget Show: Bank Holiday Special' but it just doesn't want to play when I select it, no matter how many times I try.

Hi Kargo,

That's great news about ITV.

Yeap, I'm still having the same problem with Demand 5. I've raised a ticket with Overplay, but can you do me a favour and when you get a chance, try Demand 5 again without Overplay's Smart DNS (back on the TV's auto DNS)? I just want to rule that out again - I can't do it myself as I'm actually in Germany and use Overplay's Smart DNS to access the UK apps.

Thanks, I did what you said, but still can't get ITV player or 5 On demand:yawn:

Are you in the UK and using Overplay to access Netflix regions?

ITV should be back up, but the last time I checked Demand 5 a couple of days ago that still wasn't working. Are you still not getting ITV both with and without using Overplay's DNS servers?

What model TV do you have?

Hi ovbg,

Can confirm that Demand 5 is working with SmartDNS disabled however its still buffering constantly or every 10 seconds or so. I know its not my connection as I'm on a rock solid 40 Mbps Fibre optic connection and have been using Super HD on Netflix with no issues.

Very interesting, thanks for the update Kargo.

I just tested it again right now and Demand 5 was finally working again. As I am not in the UK, I can only test with Smart DNS. I have all the four FTA services now functional.

If you are getting buffering issues with Smart DNS off, the problem is likely to be with the Demand 5 app. After-all, you should not be getting buffering in the UK with 40Mbps Internet when I don't in Germany and only on 16Mbps.

I have heard of other people in the UK that have issues with Demand 5. Can I ask what model TV you have. I have the ES6900 series which works fine with all the apps right now.

That's good to know that its also working again for you.

My TV is the 32 inch EH5300 model.

Hi Kargo, it does seem to be an issue now related to your TV's model. My suggestion is to contact Demand 5 and tell them of your problem and your model number. They may not realize that your particular model has issues yet, though I suspect they do and are working on it... though, sadly quite slowly.