Watch outside US with us 🙂

The American film industry has been proven innovative over the past decades, with Hollywood capturing global attention and with innumerable blockbusters emerging and turning into true classics. Along with that, there are lots of US video on demand services and streaming options that are only available within the boundaries (however broad they might be with the various states covered) of the United States alone.

Due to copyright restrictions and due to the different limitations that have been applied abroad, there is the distinction between US residents and everybody else – with everybody else being left outside and not getting the privilege of watching quality content internationally. It is true that the commerce involving all kinds of films and series, documentaries and shows demands that such limitations are solid. Otherwise, their financial interests would be jeopardized to a huge extent.

The only way for ensuring that all other people in the world are prevented from watching the American channels and all the streaming services that are accessible to the US viewers is geoblocking. Let’s find out what this is, prior to moving forward with how to lift such a negative perspective.

What Is Geoblocking?

According to your geographical location in the world, you get the respective IP address when you connect to the Internet. Your Internet Service Provider offers you the IP address of yours. The method of geoblocking has to do with the block of certain IPs from accessing websites, channels and everything else online. For instance, US Netflix is a video on demand service and is the original version of Netflix as an entertainment option.

Only US residents (according to their IPs) can access such content. If you are located in the United Kingdom, you will be granted access to the respective version of Netflix. If you are located in Greece, for example, you will be displayed a message informing you that this service is not available in your country.

Geoblocking is an automated method, applied to specific websites due to the copyright restrictions applied. It is legal, since all the films and other streaming options (documentaries, series etc.) are somebody’s property and it is only fair that the people who have worked for something ought to be compensated financially for their work. This is why the proper walls are built online for forbidding access. Fortunately enough for the rest of the world, such walls can be overcome and below we are going to show you how.

How to Bypass Geoblocking outside the US

The very core of geoblocking is your physical location at the time, which is highlighted via your IP address. What you need to accomplish towards lifting the barriers of geoblocking is to change your IP address. Of course, you need to alter your IP address and have it changed to a US IP – provided that you wish to unblock US streaming content.

This might sound impossible at first, but luckily it isn’t! We are going to analyze the two most solid methods for watching blocked streaming of US services and channels outside US. In specific, we are going to show you how you can lift these restrictions with the use of either a VPN service or a SmartDNS service. Let’s start, shall we?

Unblock and watch via VPN:

VPN is short for Virtual Private Network. This is a network full of remote servers, located in different parts of the world. When you use a VPN plan, you choose the remote server you want (according to your needs at the time) and you connect to the Internet via this specific server. As a result, you get the IP address of the server’s origin.

So, instead of using your own ISP and the IP address that it hands over to you upon your connection, you can select the use of VPN. In this way, you will be given a US IP address from a server located remotely (in one of the United States of America). It is worth considering the fact that the VPN also enables encrypted traffic of your data throughout your web navigation. This adds to your overall online safety and privacy.

Get it for free: If you are less than a month outside the United States, choose a VPN with 30 days money back guarantee like Express VPN. If you dont need the VPN after your trip abroad, just cancel it and get your money back.

 

Unblock and watch via SmartDNS:

As an alternative to the use of VPN, you can choose a SmartDNS proxy service for getting access to blocked streaming outside US. In this case, you select to connect to the Internet and redirect your traffic via a proxy server for a number of websites and services provided. Without offering any additional encryption (like the method of subscribing to a VPN service provider), the SmartDNS services provide an intermediary system for bypassing any geographical restriction. There is no substantial loss of speed with the use of this method of unblocking streaming content, due to the fact that no encryption is involved.

How to Setup VPN

According to the different OS and devices, you will need to setup the VPN and start enjoying its benefits. Fortunately enough, you will be given detailed instructions from the VPN service provider that you subscribe to. More than that, there is automatic software download and there are apps that you can download on the most frequently used OS and devices. You can either choose to proceed with manual or custom download and installation. Let’s check how you can setup VPN on Windows and Mac.

Setup VPN on Windows:

Click on Start and then Search for VPN. Then, select the Setup a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. Type the IP of your preferred US server and click Connect. Connect under VPN connection is your next option, where you need to type your domain and other information required. If you cannot connect, you can go to the Properties at the Connect under VPN connection and select the Security tab. Then, choose the type of VPN you wish to enable (for instance PPTP) and connect.

Setup VPN on Mac:

You click on System Preferences and you choose Network. Click on + and VPN (selecting either PPTP or L2TP). Then, select Configuration and Add Configuration. Name it and then write down the IP address of the chosen VPN server and username you want to use. Choose Authentication Settings and place the password. For L2TP, you will also need to type a shared secret. At the menu bar, you can now click Connect.

How to Setup SmartDNS

Even though you will receive the respective information and instruction from the SmartDNS service provider you subscribe to, here is how you can do all the work on your own, according to your OS:

Setup SmartDNS on Windows:

Click Start and then Control Panel. Then, Network and Internet and then Network and Sharing. Choose Change Adapter Settings and double click on the network connection that you use. Click on Properties and then uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), prior to checking Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Then, choose Properties and select to use the following DNS server addresses. Click OK twice and you are done. You can save money with a SmartDNS Trial.

Setup SmartDNS on Mac:

You click System Preferences and then Network (under Internet & Wireless). You select either Wireless or Ethernet (based on the network you use) and then click on Advanced. You click on DNS and add the DNS Proxy IP address from the server you have chosen. After having selected that, click OK. If everything has gone well, you are done!

VPN vs SmartDNS: Which Is Better?

We have outlined the two major and most solid methods that you can use, in order to watch blocked streaming outside US promptly and effectively. However, one question comes to mind; which service is better and what each method is ideal for? Well, it is true that there is no single answer that can cover the needs and demands of every single customer.

When it comes to the use of VPN, it enables encryption and this is certainly a plus in terms of privacy, anonymity and overall security. On the other hand, the use of SmartDNS accomplishes to offer access to blocked channels and websites without encryption. Even though this might seem less protective as a method, it means that there is no loss of speed while streaming. In a nutshell:

Pros of VPN:

• Encryption is offering protection
• Reliable services provided
• Secured web navigation

Cons of VPN:

• Potential loss of speed via encryption
• Relatively higher cost than SmartDNS
• Logs kept at times

Pros of SmartDNS:

• No loss of speed
• Easy setup
• No logs kept

Cons of SmartDNS:

• No encryption involved
• No full coverage of Internet connection
• Limits in what you can unblock

As you can see, people who are mainly interested in securing their overall online connection would be better off with the use of VPN. For example because they want to hide their VR Sex Video consumption from their partner. There are some affordable VPN service providers available to the public. On the other hand, the people who seek to get premium speed during their streaming would prefer the subscription to SmartDNS services.

Check out both the advantages and disadvantages of these two methods, which can offer you the unblocking of geo-IP restricted services and websites outside US. Before leaving you, let’s have a look at the quality services and the flaws of the 3 best VPNs and SmartDNS services offered online:

Best VPN to watch streaming video outside US

Get it for free: If you are less than a month outside the United States, choose a VPN with 30 days money back guarantee like Express VPN. If you dont need the VPN after your trip abroad, just cancel it and get your money back.

ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is a VPN company offering superbly easy setup, detailed instructions and respective apps for Androids and iOS running devices. There is a 30-day full money refund guarantee offered to the customers, with OpenVPN supported by default as the most secured protocol. On the other hand, no free trial is provided and there is a limitation to five simultaneous devices at a time.

HideMyAss: HideMyAss VPN offers an impressive network of servers located internationally, which is constantly growing. There are various features provided gratis, which add to the optimal user experience. Unlimited bandwidth and the use of Bitcoin as the best option for anonymous payment are also great. However, HMA VPN is located in the United Kingdom and there are some logs kept that make us concern.

PureVPN: PureVPN is located in Hong Kong and this means that there is no data retention law binding the company. The features on offer are quite impressive and there is great speed ensured throughout your streaming. Bitcoin is accepted as payment option. However, there are more affordable plans available on the global market. There is no free trial that can be used to the potential customers and the full money refund guarantee is just valid for three days.

Best SmartDNS to watch streaming video outside US

Unlocator: Unlocator SmartDNS offers fast performance and a list of special features that can improve your streaming experience. With a rich knowledgebase, an expanding network of channels and websites on offer, free trial and full money refund guarantee for a fortnight and with quite versatile payment options, Unlocator is reliable. On the downside, prices could be lower and no direct support is given through live chat or phone.

SmartDNS Proxy: You can get inexpensive plans for longer commitments, if you choose a subscription of SmartDNS Proxy. Full money refund guarantee is available and so is a free trial. No logs are kept and this makes your user experience better and safer (even without advanced encryption). Great speed and solid performance are unique benefits you can get. The only disadvantage is the lack of Bitcoin as payment method accepted by SmartDNS Proxy.

Unblock US: Unblock US is a service that offers super-fast performance and compatibility with all OS and devices. It is super easy to install and make use of, while there is a hearty free trial handed out to the potential customers. If you choose the yearly plan, you get best value for money. A wide list of channels is available, without any encryption of course. No logs are kept, making it a great option.