Basic advice for lame newbie

Lady Dynorod · 12-02-2014, 09:39

Hi Online Entertainment System experts...

Okay...basically I live abroad in the EU and I'm moving later in the year. So I'm not doing another dish as I will be renting.

So, I use a VPN called Tunnelbear on my laptop to view the odd show now and again, BBC, C4 etc.

I've looked at all these boxes/services, Roku, WD, Smart TVs etc etc and the more I look the more confusing it gets.

If you top experts wanted basic BBC, ITV, C4 - i dont really care about sports/movies - can it be achieved by one of these services/boxes/TVs?

Thanks.

gother · 12-02-2014, 11:16

To second what OVGB just said Eyeondemand is a fantastic site like obgb i also use a smart dns service however i use Unotelly which for me personally is the best of the bunch it costs about £3p/m and it gives you direct links to most of the services it supports, like overplay it also supports most devices too.

Lady Dynorod · 16-02-2014, 13:58

Sorry for the late response: thanks very much for the advice...

So basically if I were to take an Overplay sub out - then configure the router - it would act in a similar way to the VPN but for every connected item in the flat.

Is Overplay hard to set up?

billbullock · 16-02-2014, 14:46

I'm in Portugal and I use Hola on my Windows laptop and Google Nexus 7 tablet to watch UK TV occasionally. The laptop is connected to the TV with an HDMI cable and I can get live and catch-up TV. Firefox is slightly better than Google Chrome on my cheap laptop. I also have an IPTV box connected to the main TV and that works well.

ovbg · 16-02-2014, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Dynorod

Sorry for the late response: thanks very much for the advice...

So basically if I were to take an Overplay sub out - then configure the router - it would act in a similar way to the VPN but for every connected item in the flat.

Is Overplay hard to set up?

OverPlay is really easy to set up. The catch my be your router. You may have to consult your router's manual to see how to log-in. Once you are in, check to see if you can find the DNS server page. Every router is different, but there may be a setting that says automatic, or manual, and what you want is the manual side. (this may also be hidden under an advanced menu if you can't find it).

If you have got this far, the OverPlay set-up is really easy. They will issue you with two DNS server addresses. All you have to do is enter them in the spot on the router for manual DNS servers.

Easy as that. Then all devices in your home will work via their Smart DNS.

Catch: Some ISP's change your external IP address every 24 hours. You never normally see this, but OverPlay will since they use your IP address to confirm you are a customer. If your ISP does this, don't be surprised if OverPlay stops working a day later. Nothing to fear, just visit their Smart DNS webpage and it automatically reassigns your new IP address. There are also easier ways, and some like I use that fully automate it. So if this is your situation, just ask here.

Mikdyer252 · 16-02-2014, 16:27

Do you know someone in the UK who would let you set up a Slingbox ?. Something like the Pro-HD has it's own Freeview tuner & would stream Uk TV over the internet to anywhere in the world, with no VPN or subscription required.

Lady Dynorod · 17-02-2014, 21:31

Cheers everyone, i like your site Ovbg.

A Slingbox only works with Sky though right? So one would need a Sky sub in the UK, is that correct?

Mikdyer252 · 17-02-2014, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Dynorod

Cheers everyone, i like your site Ovbg.

A Slingbox only works with Sky though right? So one would need a Sky sub in the UK, is that correct?

No, the Pro-HD has its own Freeview tuner built in and can run independently from that.

Lady Dynorod · 18-02-2014, 21:09

Aha. So in the UK you connect this Pro-HD - a box i take it - to the aerial and the internet. Then at the other end what do you have? How do you watch the TV? On a PC?

Mikdyer252 · 18-02-2014, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Dynorod

Aha. So in the UK you connect this Pro-HD - a box i take it - to the aerial and the internet. Then at the other end what do you have? How do you watch the TV? On a PC?

You could watch on a pc, or HDMI out to a TV. Similarly you could HDMI out from an Apple or Android if you had that facility. I gather there is a Roku box that can show the output from a Slingbox.

The Slingbox would indeed need an aerial connection & an internet connection in the UK.

At the receiving end, a picture of a remote control is shown on the screen, and you tap on it, or click with a mouse, to power up/down or change channels.

They do a model that is a standalone freesat recorder but obviously that would need its own satellite feed.

Lady Dynorod · 26-02-2014, 21:42

So at the receiving end, do you just have the PC - with internet - which connects to some kind of web site which shows you your `slung` TV?

Or I could use a Roku box (possibly) which is a set top box with a remote?

Sorry for the duncey questions.

oilman · 26-02-2014, 23:05

This is the easiest but not particularly cheap solution at £120 per annum for service plus initial purchase cost of box. (perspective UK TV licence is £145 per year. Any decent VPN approx £60 per year).

http://storesatellite.com/shop/en/ip...nc-1-year.html

Plug and play and can be moved even to hotels. Has a standard tv style remote control.
To quote old Stella Artois advert- This is reassuringly expensive!

My non techie wife loves it as so simple and reliable.

Lady Dynorod · 03-03-2014, 20:01

Hah! That does look good!

So...another stupid question. Can I plug a Roku 3 box into a Smart TV? Would that be good/bad?

ovbg · 04-03-2014, 07:00

Yes, you certainly can.

It can be good, if the Roku box has channels your Smart TV doesn't, or interfaces you prefer.

There is nothing bad, unless it adds no services you need that the Smart TV doesn't.

12-02-2014, 09:39	#1
Lady Dynorod Inactive Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mystical sat training camp...a Posts: 1,338	Basic advice for lame newbie Hi Online Entertainment System experts... Okay...basically I live abroad in the EU and I'm moving later in the year. So I'm not doing another dish as I will be renting. So, I use a VPN called Tunnelbear on my laptop to view the odd show now and again, BBC, C4 etc. I've looked at all these boxes/services, Roku, WD, Smart TVs etc etc and the more I look the more confusing it gets. If you top experts wanted basic BBC, ITV, C4 - i dont really care about sports/movies - can it be achieved by one of these services/boxes/TVs? Thanks.

12-02-2014, 11:16	#2
gother Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Between Venus and Mars Posts: 9,027	To second what OVGB just said Eyeondemand is a fantastic site like obgb i also use a smart dns service however i use Unotelly which for me personally is the best of the bunch it costs about £3p/m and it gives you direct links to most of the services it supports, like overplay it also supports most devices too.

16-02-2014, 13:58	#3
Lady Dynorod Inactive Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mystical sat training camp...a Posts: 1,338	Sorry for the late response: thanks very much for the advice... So basically if I were to take an Overplay sub out - then configure the router - it would act in a similar way to the VPN but for every connected item in the flat. Is Overplay hard to set up?

16-02-2014, 14:46	#4
billbullock Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 32	I'm in Portugal and I use Hola on my Windows laptop and Google Nexus 7 tablet to watch UK TV occasionally. The laptop is connected to the TV with an HDMI cable and I can get live and catch-up TV. Firefox is slightly better than Google Chrome on my cheap laptop. I also have an IPTV box connected to the main TV and that works well.

16-02-2014, 15:42	#5
ovbg Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,348	Quote: Originally Posted by Lady Dynorod Sorry for the late response: thanks very much for the advice... So basically if I were to take an Overplay sub out - then configure the router - it would act in a similar way to the VPN but for every connected item in the flat. Is Overplay hard to set up? OverPlay is really easy to set up. The catch my be your router. You may have to consult your router's manual to see how to log-in. Once you are in, check to see if you can find the DNS server page. Every router is different, but there may be a setting that says automatic, or manual, and what you want is the manual side. (this may also be hidden under an advanced menu if you can't find it). If you have got this far, the OverPlay set-up is really easy. They will issue you with two DNS server addresses. All you have to do is enter them in the spot on the router for manual DNS servers. Easy as that. Then all devices in your home will work via their Smart DNS. Catch: Some ISP's change your external IP address every 24 hours. You never normally see this, but OverPlay will since they use your IP address to confirm you are a customer. If your ISP does this, don't be surprised if OverPlay stops working a day later. Nothing to fear, just visit their Smart DNS webpage and it automatically reassigns your new IP address. There are also easier ways, and some like I use that fully automate it. So if this is your situation, just ask here.

16-02-2014, 16:27	#6
Mikdyer252 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire. Posts: 122	Do you know someone in the UK who would let you set up a Slingbox ?. Something like the Pro-HD has it's own Freeview tuner & would stream Uk TV over the internet to anywhere in the world, with no VPN or subscription required.

17-02-2014, 21:31	#7
Lady Dynorod Inactive Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mystical sat training camp...a Posts: 1,338	Cheers everyone, i like your site Ovbg. A Slingbox only works with Sky though right? So one would need a Sky sub in the UK, is that correct?

17-02-2014, 23:11	#8
Mikdyer252 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire. Posts: 122	Quote: Originally Posted by Lady Dynorod Cheers everyone, i like your site Ovbg. A Slingbox only works with Sky though right? So one would need a Sky sub in the UK, is that correct? No, the Pro-HD has its own Freeview tuner built in and can run independently from that.

18-02-2014, 21:09	#9
Lady Dynorod Inactive Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mystical sat training camp...a Posts: 1,338	Aha. So in the UK you connect this Pro-HD - a box i take it - to the aerial and the internet. Then at the other end what do you have? How do you watch the TV? On a PC?

18-02-2014, 23:21	#10
Mikdyer252 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire. Posts: 122	Quote: Originally Posted by Lady Dynorod Aha. So in the UK you connect this Pro-HD - a box i take it - to the aerial and the internet. Then at the other end what do you have? How do you watch the TV? On a PC? You could watch on a pc, or HDMI out to a TV. Similarly you could HDMI out from an Apple or Android if you had that facility. I gather there is a Roku box that can show the output from a Slingbox. The Slingbox would indeed need an aerial connection & an internet connection in the UK. At the receiving end, a picture of a remote control is shown on the screen, and you tap on it, or click with a mouse, to power up/down or change channels. They do a model that is a standalone freesat recorder but obviously that would need its own satellite feed.

26-02-2014, 21:42	#11
Lady Dynorod Inactive Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mystical sat training camp...a Posts: 1,338	So at the receiving end, do you just have the PC - with internet - which connects to some kind of web site which shows you your `slung` TV? Or I could use a Roku box (possibly) which is a set top box with a remote? Sorry for the duncey questions.

26-02-2014, 23:05	#12
oilman Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,854	This is the easiest but not particularly cheap solution at £120 per annum for service plus initial purchase cost of box. (perspective UK TV licence is £145 per year. Any decent VPN approx £60 per year). http://storesatellite.com/shop/en/ip...nc-1-year.html Plug and play and can be moved even to hotels. Has a standard tv style remote control. To quote old Stella Artois advert- This is reassuringly expensive! My non techie wife loves it as so simple and reliable.

03-03-2014, 20:01	#13
Lady Dynorod Inactive Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mystical sat training camp...a Posts: 1,338	Hah! That does look good! So...another stupid question. Can I plug a Roku 3 box into a Smart TV? Would that be good/bad?

04-03-2014, 07:00	#14
ovbg Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,348	Yes, you certainly can. It can be good, if the Roku box has channels your Smart TV doesn't, or interfaces you prefer. There is nothing bad, unless it adds no services you need that the Smart TV doesn't.

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Basic advice for lame newbie