5punk

I have discovered a thing. That thing is this: http://www.unblock-us.com/

Basically, its kind of like a stripped down VPN service, only instead of all the usual privacy and encryption gubbins it is just focussed on letting you watch stuff in countries that you normally cant. You replace your DNS settings with theirs and it makes the streaming sites think that you are in whatever country gives you the most content.

I've just given it a quick go this evening, and its let me on the US Netflix service. Gods balls, it makes the UK offering look shite. It also lets you use the US based websites for streaming catch up stuff. So, for example, you can pop on to CBS.com and watch the latest episodes of How I Met Your Mother. Which is handy, because from what I can tell the things most lacking on the US Netflix are the latest series of stuff.

Theres probably a bunch of other good things it does, but ive not had a proper poke at it yet, and ive got a crippling headcold which is breaking my think.

Only costs a couple of quid a month, and there is a trial available if you want to give it a poke first (like I am doing). Have a look.

http://www.tunnelbear.com/

Is also good, free for the first smallish chunk of bandwidth.

Ah, yes, I should probably do an update on this.

Although unblock us is a good idea in theory, I found it to be slow as arse when streaming video, making things like Netflix basically unwatchable in the afternoons. I can't quite brain why this should be the case, but there you go.

Ive now got VyperVPN with my giganews sub, and it is ace. Dead easy to set up, streams video perfectly (even in HD), and gives you access to all the US streaming services like Hulu and the cable channels catch up services. The only downside over unblock us is that it can't be used on the Xbox, but seing as it has e upside of actually working at all, I'm fine with that.

Joose wrote:The only downside over unblock us is that it can't be used on the Xbox

VyprVPN supports a few standard VPN connection types, you might want to try making your router do the VPN connection. Then any device, even xbox etc should work by invisible VPN magic

I would, but I've got the Virgin Superhub thing, which has no such options. I could switch it to "modem mode" and buy a less locked down router, but I would be doing it purely for this, and I'm not that bothered. Its a good suggestion though, im sure it would work for others.